Essex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Higham, Essex
Thermal roof surveys for homes and businesses in Higham. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Stains that keep coming back
DIY checks: what’s safe
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book and it will help the survey.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
About our thermal roof survey in Higham
Wet insulation under a flat roof covering holds heat for longer than dry. 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 commercial roofs, ceilings below the roof and loft conversions, and the problems we are asked to look at most are cold areas below the roof and thin or uneven insulation in the roof.
Villages like Higham often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. Strong wind or heavy rain stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Place
- Higham (CO7)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Flying and imaging in Higham
The coast is about 5 miles or less from Higham. Thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind, so the date is chosen with the forecast in mind. Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help. Anyone responsible for a site like Stratford St Mary Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. With Castle House about 2.6 miles south-east, the area around Higham has a long history. Close-up aerial shots and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Higham is about 7 miles north-east of Colchester, in Essex. We survey roofs in Higham and the rest of Essex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Across Essex, we cover Higham. Chelmsford is in our area too.
Every address in CO7 is covered for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Nearby, we also carry out thermal roof surveys in Stratford St Mary (1 mile south-east), Thorington Street (1 mile west), Holton St Mary (2 miles north-east), Withermarsh Green (2 miles north-west) and Dedham (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Colchester (7 miles south-west), Clacton-on-Sea (15 miles south-east), Harwich (13 miles east), Camulodunum (8 miles south-west), Halstead (14 miles west) and Greenstead (6 miles south).
What’s near Higham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Swan Inn. The closest station to Higham is Manningtree station, roughly 4.2 miles south-east. A little further out are Severalls Hospital (5.2 miles south-west) and Little Wenham Castle (3.6 miles north-east). For a walk, there is Cattawade Marshes.
What happens on the day
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take about one to two hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. Older roofs in small places like Higham can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- We look over the roof from wherever it is safe.
- Thermal images are taken across the roof and, where there’s safe access, in the loft.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Before we arrive
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or send us an email. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
Prices for thermal roof surveys in Higham
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- The roof’s overall size
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
Prices start from £150, with VAT included, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
Getting in touch
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The kind of building and roof involved
We survey roofs on any day of the week. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Tips from our surveys
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Heat the home normally on the days before
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
Many people send the report to roofers, who can then quote for the areas shown. Because the images are paired with photos, it’s easy to find each area on the roof.
Consider a repeat survey after major work on the roof in suitable weather.
Places near Higham
What else we do in Higham
Surveys for landlords and agents in Higham
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey seven days a week, which can make access easier.
How the survey changes by roof type
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Problems where roof slopes and walls meet are frequently hidden. A careful visual inspection goes alongside the images.
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is easily disturbed when people store things or run cables. The camera can show where it no longer covers the ceiling.
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in Higham
Do you cover smaller places like Higham?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Higham is listed?
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.
Can thermal imaging show missing insulation?
It can show temperature patterns that point to missing or thin insulation. It shows most clearly when it’s warm inside and cold outside. We look from the loft as well, where there is safe access.
How does a thermal imaging roof survey work?
It records surface temperature across the roof. Differences can suggest wet areas, missing insulation or heat loss, and we check them with moisture readings.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing are not part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings.