Essex · London and the South East
Storm Damage Roof Report in Hartford End
We carry out storm damage roof reports in Hartford End and the rest of Essex. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Ridge tiles that have come loose
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
How a storm damage roof report works in Hartford End
What counts as a storm depends on your policy, though many use gusts of about 55 mph. Your policy document sets out its own definition. Whether the weather met it is for your insurer. We record the damage and what seems to have caused it. Each area of damage is photographed, and the report is yours to pass on. Insurers decide claims on their own policy wording. If you’ve noticed new damp or leaks inside and flashings pulled away from walls or stacks, we can find out what’s behind it, on chimney stacks, slate and tile slopes and ridges and hips alike.
Many homes in small places like Hartford End face open ground, so storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hard. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, which makes finding the cause quickly worthwhile. A record with photos is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Place
- Hartford End (CM3)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Arrange temporary cover with a roofer if rain is getting in
- Tell your insurer about the damage promptly
- Hold on to fallen pieces of the roof where you can
- Take photos of stains and damp inside
The insurer might appoint a loss adjuster. You will have your own independent record to refer to.
Keep records of roof work and surveys. They can help show the roof was looked after.
Do you need a storm damage roof report in Hartford End?
Strong winds lift loose or poorly fixed slates and tiles, ridge pieces and flashings. Driving rain then gets in through the gaps. Most people book a report soon after a storm, when they’ve seen damage or water has come in.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Gutters pulled loose in the wind
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
- Slates and tiles blown off the roof
- Damage from fallen branches or debris
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of St John the Evangelist, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
What to check before booking
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
How the survey works
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. All in, the survey usually takes about 1–2 hours at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. Somewhere as small as Hartford End, access is frequently the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You tell us what happened and whether a roofer has made the roof safe.
- Inside, we look for signs of water in the loft and rooms below.
- The roof is inspected from ground level, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- We record fresh damage and older defects.
- The report, with photos, is emailed to you.
How to prepare
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Related advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead flashings
Flashings with older defects often fail in high winds. Our report separates fresh damage from older wear where we can.
Clay and concrete tiles
Strong gusts can lift and break tiles. We record which are damaged and where.
Wind, rain and roofs in Hartford End
Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it’s listed or in a conservation area. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas. Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, and a good many post-war and modern estates besides. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
Take a building like Ford End Church of England Primary School: water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Hartford End is about 6 miles south-west of Braintree, in Essex. We carry out storm damage roof reports in Hartford End for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. Hartford End is one of the places in Essex where we work for storm damage roof reports. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
Surveys in CM3 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you are just outside Hartford End, we cover Ford End (1 mile south-west), Causeway End (1 mile north), North End (2 miles north-west), Howe Street (2 miles south) and Felsted (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (7 miles south), Braintree (6 miles north-east), Harlow (15 miles west), Brentwood (15 miles south-west), Maldon (12 miles south-east) and Billericay (14 miles south).
Landmarks near Hartford End
A little further out are Broomfield Hospital (3.9 miles south). For a walk, there is Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve.
Places near Hartford End
What else we do in Hartford End
Your questions about storm damage roof reports in Hartford End
Is Hartford End within the area you cover?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Is my home in Hartford End listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
How do I book a survey in Hartford End?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know the address and what you’d like to know. We will confirm the price and agree a day with you.
What if my insurer declines the claim?
Raise it with your insurer first. The Financial Ombudsman Service may look at it if that does not resolve it. The Ombudsman asks about storm conditions, whether the damage is consistent with a storm and whether the storm was the main cause.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
How strong does the wind have to be for a storm claim?
Each policy has its own definition. Many treat gusts of about 55 mph as storm conditions, but check your own wording.
What we cannot see
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Repair costs or quotes for the work
- A decision on your insurance claim
- Your insurer’s view of the claim
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Flashings
- Gutters and fascias
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Ridges and hips
- Slate and tile slopes
Landlords, agents and block managers in Hartford End
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
We survey roofs for landlords and letting agents as well as homeowners. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the roof, useful for planning maintenance.