Kent · London and the South East
Hicks Forstal Storm Damage Roof Report
An independent record of roof damage after a storm across Hicks Forstal, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Holes or cracks caused by debris
- Lifted or missing ridge and hip tiles
- Slipped or missing slates or tiles
Storm damage roof reports for homes and businesses in Hicks Forstal
We inspect the roof from wherever it can safely be seen: from the ground, from windows and higher points, from the loft space and from the roof where it is safe. We photograph and describe each area of damage. If part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The report, with photos, is yours to pass to your insurer. Common reasons to book are damage from fallen branches or debris and new damp or leaks inside, across flashings, flat roofs and chimney stacks.
Being in a small place like Hicks Forstal makes no difference to how a leak or storm damage is looked at: we simply plan the journey and access ahead. It is useful to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, along with any repairs done before. If you have photos of the water coming in, they help as well.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Hicks Forstal (CT3)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Hicks Forstal roofs and the weather
The coast is about 3 miles or less from Hicks Forstal, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain finds any gap they leave, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so the council is the place to ask.
Living close to Curtis Wood is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Spires Academy, water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Hicks Forstal is about 2 miles south of Herne Bay, in Kent. Roofs in Hicks Forstal get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Kent. We cover towns and villages across Kent, large and small.
We survey roofs across CT3 for storm damage roof reports. Neighbouring places we cover for storm damage roof reports include Calcott (1 mile south-west), Herne Common (1 mile north), Knave's Ash (1 mile east), Herne (1 mile north) and Bullockstone (1 mile north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Canterbury (4 miles south-west), Margate (12 miles east), Dover (15 miles south-east), Ramsgate (12 miles east), Broadstairs (13 miles east) and Whitstable (4 miles west).
Around Hicks Forstal
Around Hicks Forstal, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Curtis Wood and the streets around them. Hicks Forstal’s nearest station is Sturry station, roughly 2.2 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include St Martins Hospital (3.9 miles south) and Canterbury Castle (4.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include West Blean and Thornden Woods.
What happens on the day
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. For a village or hamlet like Hicks Forstal, the journey is planned beforehand: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- We start with what you’ve seen and any temporary repairs.
- We check inside, including the loft where there is access, for water damage.
- We view the roof from safe positions.
- We record fresh damage and older defects.
- The report, with photos, is emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Find any records of previous roof work
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Knowing whether older wear played a part helps you understand your position. Our report gives an honest view of both, so you know what the roof shows. Matching old materials, like handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why us?
- Surveys seven days a week
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
Practical tips
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Keep a note of the date of the storm
- Arrange temporary cover with a roofer if rain is getting in
- Do not go onto the roof to take pictures
- Check how your policy defines a storm
If a claim is declined and you disagree, the first step is a complaint to the insurer. After that, you may be able to take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Store invoices and reports for any roof work. They can help show the roof was looked after.
Prices for storm damage roof reports in Hicks Forstal
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- How big the roof is
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both including VAT. You’ll know the price for the job before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- What made you get in touch
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
When you need someone else
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- A price for the repairs
- Areas we can’t see safely
- How your policy defines a storm
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Slate and tile slopes
- Ridges and hips
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and fascias
- Flashings
- Flat roofs
Common questions in Hicks Forstal
Do you cover smaller places like Hicks Forstal?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hicks Forstal?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
How strong does the wind have to be for a storm claim?
It depends on your policy. Many use gusts of about 55 mph, but each policy sets its own definition. Check your policy wording.
How do I book a survey in Hicks Forstal?
Simply ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date, weekday or weekend.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. We will talk about access when you book.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What we are asked to look at in Hicks Forstal
Branches and trees often come down on roofs during storms. The report shows what was hit and the damage caused, with photographs.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Damage from fallen branches or debris
- Torn or lifted flat roof coverings
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
- Stains appearing after strong winds
Landlords with a home close to Sturry station may find that a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What exactly goes into their report
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price