Essex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Chigwell
Thermal roof surveys for homes and businesses in Chigwell. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
Thermal roof survey in Chigwell: what you get
On a flat roof, wet insulation holds heat longer than dry insulation. So a wet patch can show as a warmer or cooler area on the camera. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, which is hard to judge by eye. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. We survey loft conversions, commercial roofs and ceilings below the roof, and common reasons people get in touch are damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys and damp that repairs haven’t cured.
Places like Chigwell can be near small airfields or other airspace restrictions, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Exposed sites can be windy, and a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind. Neighbours’ privacy is part of planning each flight, along with the airspace and the weather.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Place
- Chigwell (IG7, IG8, IG6)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Once insulation under a membrane is wet, it tends to stay wet. In time, it stops insulating properly and can damage the deck. Finding them early can mean a smaller job. Homes in smaller places like Chigwell can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Wind gets under it and lifts more.
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
Why book with us
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- PI and public liability insurance
- Over 20 years’ experience
- 98% of clients satisfied
What we do, step by step
We will ask a few questions first, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. A visit to Chigwell is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed ahead of time. Weekday and weekend visits are both possible. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- Thermal images are taken across the roof and, where there is safe access, in the loft.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Preparing for the visit
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
What you can safely check yourself
A lot can be seen from ground level. 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.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
Nearby places to Chigwell
Other services in Chigwell
Common questions in Chigwell
Is my home in Chigwell listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is Chigwell in the area you cover?
Yes, Chigwell is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details.
How soon will I get the report?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. All of them come by email.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it’s applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only if it is safe. We inspect everything that’s safely in view: from ground level, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where applicable. The report says if anything couldn’t be seen.
How long will you be at the property?
It normally takes an hour or two at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. The report follows by email.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
What we cannot see
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- The condition of timbers we can’t see
- Clear results when the conditions on the day are poor
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Chigwell
- Ceilings below the roof
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
- Loft conversions
- Commercial roofs
- Flat roofs
Prices for thermal roof surveys in Chigwell
To price your survey, we check:
- House, block, shop or office
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The roof’s overall size
Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- When you need the report by
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Thermal roof surveys around Chigwell
Historic houses such as Valentines Mansion, about 2.9 miles south, show how far back building in the area around Chigwell goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters. In Essex, older buildings are often clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Many roofs like these can’t be judged properly from the pavement, and that’s where a view from above or a thermal image earns its place.
Take a building like Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. If you live in an older home near St Winifred, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that’s where a view by drone or thermal camera helps.
Chigwell is about 2 miles east of Woodford, in Essex. We carry out thermal roof surveys in Chigwell for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. Chigwell is one of the places in Essex we cover. There is also a page for London.
Surveys in IG7, IG8 and IG6 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You’ll find streets such as Station Road, Hainault Road and Lechmere Avenue, all of which we cover. Being close to the A113 and A123, Chigwell is simple for us to get to for thermal roof surveys. Other places close to Chigwell include Hainault (1 mile south-east), Woodford Bridge (1 mile south-west), Buckhurst Hill (2 miles north-west), Woodford Wells (2 miles west) and Woodford (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Harlow (11 miles north), Brentwood (10 miles east), Billericay (15 miles east), Waltham Abbey (6 miles north-west), Epping (6 miles north) and Harold Wood (7 miles east).
Local landmarks in Chigwell
Around Chigwell, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Kings Head Hotel, Chigwell Row Wood and West Hatch High School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Chingford station, roughly 3.2 miles north-west of the centre. Nearby you will also find The Epping Forest Museum (3 miles north-west) and Claybury Hospital (0.8 miles south-west). The countryside around Chigwell includes Roding Valley Meadows and Pole Hill.
Practical tips
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- File the images with your roof records
- Heat the home normally on the days before
- Take photos of stains as they appear, so we can compare
- Ask us about the forecast if rain is expected
You also get an in-person consultation with a Premium Survey, giving you the chance to talk through the images and findings. A follow-up 12 months later is included as well.
Check that loft insulation is laid evenly and hasn’t been pushed aside. Insulation is often moved when people work in the loft space.