Essex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Great Bentley, Essex
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out thermal roof surveys in Great Bentley and across Essex, with plain-English findings.
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
Thermal roof surveys for homes and businesses in Great Bentley
A thermal imaging roof survey uses a thermal camera to show differences in surface temperature across a roof. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or places where heat is getting out. It’s important to know that the camera shows temperature, not water, so findings are checked with moisture readings. Thermal imaging is included in our Premium Survey, from £400. The report also notes the conditions on the day, since they affect what the camera can show. We survey insulated roof spaces, ceilings below the roof and commercial roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are gaps in loft insulation and damp around roof outlets and upstands.
In smaller places like Great Bentley, many homes are bungalows and houses with roofs you can partly see from ground level. The parts you can’t see, such as rear slopes, valleys and chimney tops, are where a drone or thermal camera adds detail. Both depend on the weather on the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Close-up images often show wear on ridges, verges and flashings that can’t be judged properly from ground level.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Location
- Great Bentley (CO7)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Pitched slate and tile roofs
On pitched roofs, slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s happening underneath. We combine the images with an inspection from the loft where there’s safe access.
Felt and asphalt flat roofs
Built-up felt and asphalt roofs can hide trapped water for a long time. The camera can give clues to where it’s sitting, given suitable conditions on the day.
FAQs for Great Bentley
Do you carry out roof surveys in Great Bentley?
Yes, Great Bentley is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details.
How do I find out if my home in Great Bentley is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but we do not provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Can you use a thermal camera on a sloping roof?
It can be useful, though pitched roofs are usually harder to read. The air space under slates and tiles can hide patterns, so we also look from the loft where it’s safe.
What conditions are best for thermal imaging?
The results depend on the weather. A dry surface, little wind and a sunny spell beforehand help most. Our report notes the conditions and how they affected the findings.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
How experienced are you?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
How the survey works
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photos. As for time on site, it usually takes an hour or two for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. A visit to a smaller place like Great Bentley is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- You let us know about the roof and any damp, leaks or cold rooms.
- The weather and surface conditions are recorded.
- We inspect the roof and take thermal images during the same visit.
- We back up the thermal patterns with moisture readings.
- You get the report the same day, with an in-person consultation to follow.
Before the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Note where any stains or damp appear
How to book
For a price for thermal roof surveys in Great Bentley, call 07833 053749 or email us. The address, the type of property and what you need to know help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
What this survey can’t tell you
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Clear results when the conditions on the day are poor
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
- Confirming water without moisture readings
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Ceilings below the roof
Landlord and commercial surveys in Great Bentley
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Practical tips
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Check outlets after heavy rain
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
- Keep the heating on as usual before a heat loss survey
- Make sure the loft can be reached safely
We note the weather and surface conditions, and how they may have affected the results. That way you know how much weight to give each finding.
Deal with small splits and lifted seams promptly. Once water gets under a membrane, it can travel far before it appears inside.
Towns and villages near Great Bentley
What else we do in Great Bentley
Do you need a thermal roof survey in Great Bentley?
Flat roofs that have leaked for a while can have wet insulation under the covering. Owners want to know how far it has spread before deciding what to do. A thermal survey, checked with moisture readings, can give a much clearer picture.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
If you look after a building such as Great Bentley Primary School, a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether you get a written report with photos
Thermal roof surveys in Great Bentley: local notes
Great Bentley is within about 4 miles of the coast, and wind off the sea can be strong. Calm, dry conditions after a sunny day suit thermal imaging best, so the visit is planned around the forecast. Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
With Thorpe Hall about 4.4 miles east, the area around Great Bentley has a long history. Aerial photos and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it. The streets around a church like Church of St Mary are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that is where a view by drone or thermal camera helps.
Great Bentley is about 5 miles north-west of Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex. We carry out thermal roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Great Bentley and nearby. Great Bentley is one of the towns and villages in Essex we cover for thermal roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
All of CO7 is covered for thermal roof surveys. Whether your property is on Station Road, Forge Lane and Moors Close or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for thermal roof surveys include Aingers Green (1 mile south), Frating Green (2 miles north-west), South Heath (2 miles south), Thorrington (2 miles south-west) and Frating (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Colchester (8 miles west), Clacton-on-Sea (5 miles south-east), Harwich (10 miles north-east), Camulodunum (9 miles west), Greenstead (6 miles north-west) and Tiptree (14 miles west).
Local landmarks in Great Bentley
Around Great Bentley, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Plough Inn. There’s a railway station in Great Bentley itself: Great Bentley station. Open spaces near Great Bentley include Weeleyhall Wood.