Greater London · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Holborn, Greater London
Get a clear view of the roof at a property in Holborn. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Thin or uneven insulation in the roof
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Holborn
After a long-running leak, insulation under a flat roof can stay wet. 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.
Common reasons to book include:
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Thin or uneven insulation in the roof
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
If you look after a building such as St Alban's Church of England Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Whether VAT is added on top
Thermal roof survey in Holborn
Flat roofs over extensions, garages, flats and commercial buildings are where thermal imaging often helps most. It can show patterns that point to trapped moisture under the membrane. Pitched roofs with slates or tiles are frequently harder to read, because of the air space beneath, so we also look from the loft where we can reach it safely. If you are worried about damp that repairs haven’t cured and wet areas near outlets and upstands, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on commercial roofs, loft conversions and insulated roof spaces alike.
In London’s terraces and conversions, roofs are packed close together, which makes care around neighbours part of the job. Images are taken to show the roof we’re surveying, with care for neighbours’ privacy, in Holborn as anywhere. Let us know about the building and access when booking. Steep slopes, tall chimneys and rear additions are where the extra view helps most.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Where
- Holborn (WC1X, WC1N, EC1R)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in Holborn
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Holborn?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. The restricted area over the City of London, where drone flights need permission from NATS, is about 2 miles from Holborn. If a roof falls inside it, we apply for permission before flying, and the flight only goes ahead if it is granted. London’s airspace includes flight restriction zones around Heathrow, London City Airport and London Heliport, and restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Each address is checked against all of them before the drone goes up. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather, and the rest of the survey does not depend on the drone.
Can parking be tricky for a visit in Holborn?
Sometimes, yes. If Holborn has controlled parking where you are, a visitor permit is the easiest answer, and a driveway is even better.
What happens after the survey?
You’ll receive the report by email, and what you do next is up to you: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Can you do a thermal survey in any weather?
Conditions on the day affect the results. A sunny day beforehand, a dry surface and calm air all help. Rain, wind and heavy cloud can weaken the patterns, so we talk through the forecast as you book.
How long will you be at the property?
It typically takes an hour or two for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. The written report follows by email, on the timescale of your package.
How experienced are you?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
What a thermal roof survey doesn’t cover
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- An energy rating for the building
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Flat roofs
- Commercial roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
What we do, step by step
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey normally takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. In Holborn, visits are available on weekdays and at weekends. London parking is frequently by permit or pay-and-display, so it’s useful to know what’s near you. Upstairs rooms at the back are useful too, as they frequently give the best view of a rear addition.
- We talk through the roof, any damp or leaks, and the weather expected on the day.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe viewpoints.
- We take thermal images of the roof to pick up temperature patterns.
- We check the patterns that stand out with moisture readings where there’s safe access.
- We write up the thermal images alongside ordinary photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Arrange a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Water often gets in where roofs meet walls, parapets or valley gutters. The camera can help show damp around these junctions.
Single-ply and EPDM roofs
Many single-ply and EPDM roofs sit on insulation boards. If water gets under them, thermal imaging can suggest which boards are wet.
Towns and villages near Holborn
Also in Holborn
Why get it checked now?
Thermal images can suggest the extent of wet areas without cutting into the roof. That helps you and your roofer decide what really needs replacing. Work on a London roof is rarely simple to arrange, with parking, neighbours and access all to think about. Knowing what’s needed early gives you time to plan it calmly.
Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
Why us?
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- A report with photographs
- PI and public liability insurance
See our cost guide and our case studies.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Holborn
Letting agents and landlords in Holborn book surveys as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof.
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
What a thermal roof survey looks like in Holborn
Many homes in inner London are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often with Welsh slate roofs. Many have butterfly roofs draining to a central valley gutter, with parapet walls and gutters hidden behind them. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Many roofs like these cannot be judged properly from the pavement, and that’s where a view from above or a thermal image earns its place. With Dr Johnson's House about 0.4 miles south-east, Holborn sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near St Alban's Church, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help. Controlled parking zones are common in London, so mention any permit rules for Holborn, along with any off-street space.
Holborn is about 2 miles north-west of London, in Greater London. We survey roofs in Holborn and the rest of Greater London. Holborn is one of the places in Greater London where we work for thermal roof surveys.
We cover every part of WC1X, WC1N and EC1R for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Shoe Lane, Drury Lane and New Square. With the A4 and A40 close by, Holborn is simple for us to get to. If you are just outside Holborn, we cover Farringdon (1 mile east), St Pancras (1 mile north-west), Clare Market (1 mile south), Smithfield (1 mile east) and Temple Bar (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (13 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
Local landmarks in Holborn
We work in homes and buildings around The Yorkshire Grey pub, British Library of Political and Economic Science and City Academy, among other places. Nearby too are Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (0.9 miles north) and Lincoln's Inn Fields (less than half a mile south-west). There’s a railway station in Holborn itself: Farringdon station. A little further out are Montfichet's Tower (0.7 miles south-east) and Brunswick Centre (0.5 miles north-west). For a walk, there’s Barnsbury Wood and Ludgate Hill.