London and the South East

Thermal Roof Survey in Essex

From the largest town to the smallest village in Essex, we can carry out thermal roof surveys. Written reports with photos, and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Call 07833 053749

Book a survey

Towns we cover in Essex

What it covers: thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof. Find your town in the lists below for local details. To book, call 07833 053749.

Main towns

Also in Essex

Postcode districts

About thermal roof surveys in Essex

A thermal survey is not a quick fix for every roof problem. It shows surface temperature, and things like sun, shade, reflections and wind all affect the readings. We back up the images with moisture readings and a careful look at the roof. The report is clear about what the images show and what they do not. If a finding cannot be confirmed, the report suggests a next step. We survey flat roofs, loft conversions and pitched roof slopes, and the problems we are asked to look at most are possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering and moisture around outlets and upstands.

We do not take risks to get a closer look. Everything that can safely be seen is inspected, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The survey normally takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours.

You tell us about the roof and any damp, leaks or cold rooms.
The weather and surface conditions are recorded.
A full inspection and thermal imaging are carried out together.
Moisture readings are used to check what the camera shows.
The Premium report reaches you the same day, and we go through it with you in person.

How our prices work

Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.

Why book with us

An independent view of the roof
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Package prices that include VAT
Every finding written up with photos

How to book

To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.

Near you in Colchester

Around Colchester, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Church of St Peter, Bull Meadow and The Bay And Say Public House, among other places. You’ll also find Colchester Sixth Form College (within half a mile north-west) and St John's Green Primary School (less than half a mile south). There’s a railway station in Colchester itself: Colchester Town station. Nearby you will also find Lion Walk (under half a mile south-east) and Essex County Hospital (within half a mile south-west). The countryside around Colchester includes Westhouse Wood.

Airspace, weather and roofs across Essex

Across Essex, the weather decides the day: a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day with little wind.

Several airports in London and the South East have flight restriction zones around them, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any drone flight in Essex. Flights that need permission only go ahead once it’s given. Coastal parts of Essex can be windy, which matters for drone flights, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind, so the weather on the day decides. Driving rain and salt air are hard on roofs there too.

Colchester: If you run a hotel or guest house in or near Colchester, a roof problem can mean rooms out of use. For businesses in and around places like Lion Walk, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see from above or with a thermal imager.

Useful tips for Essex property owners

Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:

File the images with your roof records
Heat the home normally on the days before
Talk to us about the weather when booking
Leave the roof to people with safe access

Many people send the report to roofers, who can then quote for the areas shown. Each thermal image is matched to a normal photo, so the areas are easy to locate.

Watch for new damp patches on ceilings beneath the roof. Catching a leak early stops insulation getting soaked.

When you need someone else

Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:

Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
A structural engineer’s assessment
Confirming water without moisture readings

What you can safely check yourself

A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.

If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.

What a survey costs

A few things affect what a survey costs:

If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
How big the roof is
The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Commercial roofs and larger buildings

Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.

What to let us know when you get in touch

Getting the details right at the start saves time. It helps to include:

Anything about access we should know
Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
The property’s address and postcode

A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. You will have a price before anything is arranged.

Different roofs, different checks

Parapets, valleys and junctions

Problems where roof slopes and walls meet are often hidden. A careful visual inspection goes alongside the images.

Pitched slate and tile roofs

Thermal images of a pitched roof can still show heat loss patterns and some damp areas. The report explains what the images can tell you and what they can’t.

Questions from Essex

Will you go up on the roof?

Only if it is safe. We inspect whatever is safely visible: from ground level, from windows, from inside the roof space, from the roof where it is safe and by drone where it applies. The report says if anything couldn’t be seen.

Can a thermal camera see water?

Not directly. It shows surface temperature, and wet areas can show up because they hold heat differently. We confirm what it suggests with moisture readings.

Can you give me structural calculations?

No. Our survey is not a structural engineer’s report, and it does not include calculations. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.

Can you survey a shared roof?

Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we are given access to.

What does a thermal roof survey show?

It records surface temperature across the roof. Differences can suggest wet areas, missing insulation or heat loss, and we check them with moisture readings.

How do I book a survey in Essex?

To book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us the address and what you’d like to know. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.

Does this replace a RICS home survey?

No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.