Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Storm damage roof report in Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Wondering about the roof at a property in Harpenden? We carry out storm damage roof reports in Harpenden and across Hertfordshire.
- Loose or torn flashings
- Slipped or missing slates or tiles
- Water coming in after the storm
Storm damage roof report in Harpenden: what you get
After a storm, it is useful to have a clear record of what happened to your roof. We photograph the damage, describe it and note whether it fits storm damage, older wear or both. We aren’t loss adjusters, and we can’t say whether a claim will be paid. What you get is an independent view of the roof’s condition. If you are worried about gutters pulled loose in the wind and cowls or aerials dislodged in the wind, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
When a storm passes over a town like Harpenden, loose tiles, slates and ridges are the first to move. What counts as a storm depends on your policy; many use gusts of around 55 mph. A report setting out the damage, with photographs, helps you explain what you’ve found, whether to an insurer or a roofer. Because wear and tear is usually excluded, the age of any damage matters.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Harpenden (AL5)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes an hour or two at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. A typical visit in Harpenden begins with the street side of the roof and then moves round the building. Rear gardens and side paths frequently give the best view of extensions and back slopes, so unlocked gates help. The loft comes next, where there’s safe access.
- You let us know when the storm was and what damage you’ve seen.
- We inspect the roof from safe viewpoints and from the loft where there’s access.
- The damage is recorded with photographs, area by area.
- We note the likely cause, including any signs of wear that were there before the storm.
- We send you a written report with photos, ready to give to your insurer.
How to prepare
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us some details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
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Also near Harpenden
Also in Harpenden
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Acting for you with the insurer
- How your policy defines a storm
- Whether your insurer will pay the claim
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flashings
- Ridges and hips
- Gutters and fascias
- Flat roofs
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings
Old flashings that were already loose can give way in a storm. We record what looks recent and what looks older.
Chimney stacks
Older stacks with worn pointing or cracked flaunching are more likely to suffer. Our report notes recent damage and older defects.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run seven days a week, which can make access easier.
Wind, rain and roofs in Harpenden
In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed. Childwickbury Manor, about 2.6 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Harpenden. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Landlords with a home close to Harpenden station may find that a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer right away. Living close to Lydekker Park is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. For an older house near a landmark like St Nicholas Church, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself.
Harpenden is about 6 miles north-east of Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire. We survey roofs in Harpenden and the rest of Hertfordshire, as part of our work across London and the South East. Our area takes in places right across Hertfordshire. Our Milton Keynes page covers surveys nearby.
Surveys in AL5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We offer storm damage roof reports to properties on Station Road, High Street and Connaught Road. Harpenden sits on or near the B652 and B653, so getting to you is simple. Close by, we survey roofs in Batford (1 mile north-east), Lea Valley (1 mile east), Bower Heath (1 mile north), Mackerye End (1 mile north-east) and The Folly (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Watford (11 miles south), Hemel Hempstead (6 miles south-west), Stevenage (10 miles north-east), St Albans (5 miles south), Welwyn Garden City (7 miles east) and Hitchin (10 miles north). As one of the bigger places in Hertfordshire, Harpenden has every kind of building, from houses and flats to offices.
Local landmarks in Harpenden
In Harpenden, that means homes and buildings near Lydekker Park, The Junction pub and Sir John Lawes School and the streets around them. Harpenden has its own railway station: Harpenden station. Nearby you’ll also find Harpenden Museum (within half a mile south-west) and Luton Castle (5 miles north-west). Open spaces near Harpenden include Wheathampstead Local Nature Reserve and Verulamium Lake.
Checking the roof from the ground
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
Why act early in Harpenden
If a roofer needs to make the roof safe, take photos first if you can do so safely from ground level. That keeps a record of how it looked. On a house in a town like Harpenden, wet loft insulation stops working and can stay damp for a long time. That’s an extra cost on top of the roof work itself.
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why book with us
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- 98% customer satisfaction
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- An independent look at the roof
Read our cost guide and our case studies.
Harpenden questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Harpenden?
Yes, Harpenden is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
Is my home in Harpenden listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Not always. Safety comes first, and fragile or steep roofs cannot always be walked on. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where it applies let us see the rest.
Can I check the roof after a storm?
Only from ground level or from windows. Never climb onto a roof after a storm. Binoculars can help you see damage from below and we will inspect the rest from safe positions.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days when booking.
My storm claim was turned down. What now?
Complain to your insurer first. After that, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to look at it. An independent report can add to your evidence, but we can’t say how it will turn out.