Kent · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Hockenden
An experienced roof surveyor for thermal roof surveys in Hockenden. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
How a thermal roof survey works in Hockenden
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. We then check those areas with moisture readings. Typical surveys look at areas of a flat roof that may hold water and damp around chimneys and parapets, across commercial roofs, flat roofs and insulated roof spaces.
Villages like Hockenden frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. High wind or heavy rain stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
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.
- Where
- Hockenden (BR8)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Hockenden. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
How the survey changes by roof type
Single-ply and EPDM roofs
On larger commercial single-ply roofs, thermal imaging can help target moisture readings. It focuses the survey on the areas that matter.
GRP fibreglass roofs
Cracks in GRP can let water into the boards beneath. We check cracks by eye and use the images to see whether there is a pattern around them.
FAQs for Hockenden
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hockenden?
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.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Hockenden?
Yes, Hockenden is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Hockenden as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you when you book.
How long is the visit?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We’re 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.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it is safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where it applies let us see the rest, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. If one is needed, the report says so.
Also near Hockenden
More services for Hockenden
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
Helping us price your survey
Some details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. The price is agreed before a date is set.
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. In a small place like Hockenden, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- Thermal images are taken across the roof and, where there is safe access, in the loft.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- Each image is set beside a normal photo and explained in the report.
Preparing for the visit
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Leave side gates unlocked
How to book
When you are ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or email us. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Related advice
Common roof problems in Hockenden
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.
People typically book a survey when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Wet areas near outlets and upstands
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Water that travels before it shows
If you live in an older home near St Mary the Virgin, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
What to check before booking
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- Their report turnaround times
- What experience they bring
- Are they insured for the work?
Drones, thermal imaging and Hockenden roofs
Hall Place and Gardens, about 3.2 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Hockenden. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
For businesses in and around places such as Broadway Shopping Centre, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see from above or with a thermal imager. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Horizon Primary Academy, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Hockenden is about 2 miles north-east of Orpington, in Kent. In Hockenden, as across Kent, every roof gets the same careful survey. Across Kent, we cover Hockenden. London is in our area too.
Every address in BR8 is within our area for thermal roof surveys. Nearby, we also carry out thermal roof surveys in Upper Ruxley (1 mile north-west), Stonehill Green (1 mile north-east), Ruxley (1 mile north-west), Puddledock (2 miles north-east) and Hextable (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Dartford (4 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (8 miles south), Gravesend (10 miles east), Tonbridge (15 miles south), Northfleet (9 miles east) and Kings Hill (14 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Hockenden
In Hockenden, that means homes and buildings near Orchards Academy and Foots Cray Meadows and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Swanley station, roughly 1 mile south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find London Borough of Bromley Museum (2.6 miles south-west) and Eynsford Castle (3.4 miles south-east). Open spaces near Hockenden include The Warren and Summer Hill.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Repeated repairs that do not stop a leak are a sign the source hasn’t been traced. Thermal imaging with moisture readings can help narrow it down, instead of trying repair after repair. Older cottages and farmhouses around Hockenden can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why us?
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Plain-English reports with photos
- PI and public liability insurance
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.