Essex · London and the South East
Little Common Thermal Roof Survey
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof in Little Common, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Cold areas below the roof
How a thermal roof survey works in Little Common
A thermal survey isn’t a quick fix for every roof problem. It shows surface temperature, and things like sun, shade, reflections and wind all affect the readings. That is why we check findings with moisture readings and a close visual inspection. The report is clear about what the images show and what they do not. If a finding can’t be confirmed, the report suggests a next step. Typical surveys look at patches of heat loss across the roof and possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering, on commercial roofs, loft conversions and insulated roof spaces.
Older buildings in small places like Little Common may be listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Little Common (CM77)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
For landlords and managing agents
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Little Common and across Essex can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Before and after the survey
Getting the most from a thermal roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- File the images with your roof records
- Keep dated photos of any marks on ceilings
- Check the loft can be reached safely
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
You also get an in-person consultation with a Premium Survey, so you can go through the images with us. There’s a 12-month follow-up too.
After repairs or a new covering, a later survey can confirm things are dry in suitable weather.
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in Little Common
Will you come out to Little Common?
Yes. Little Common is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Little Common?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
When does the report arrive?
Each package has its own report time. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know as you book.
What does the report include?
A report with photos, covering the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
How do I arrange a thermal roof survey in Little Common?
To book, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Does the report include photos?
Yes, every report has them. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, so you can see what we mean.
What can thermal imaging tell me about my roof?
The images show how warm or cool each part of the surface is. Differences can suggest wet areas, missing insulation or heat loss, and we check them with moisture readings.
The survey, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. It usually takes an hour or two at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Cottages and farmhouses around Little Common often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- You tell us about the roof and any damp, leaks or cold rooms.
- The weather and surface conditions are recorded.
- A full inspection and thermal imaging are carried out together.
- We back up the thermal patterns with moisture readings.
- The Premium report reaches you the same day, and we go through it with you in person.
Getting ready for the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Let us know where we can park nearby
Book a survey
Our price is from £400, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or email us with the details.
Advice
Checking the roof from ground level
A lot can be seen from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Common roof problems in Little Common
Some buyers want extra detail before they commit to a purchase. A Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where it applies and a same-day report, which suits a purchase that’s moving quickly.
People normally book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of All Saints, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- How long the report takes to arrive
What we look for on each type of roof
GRP fibreglass roofs
GRP surfaces can be shiny, which affects thermal readings. We allow for reflections and confirm findings with moisture readings.
Single-ply and EPDM roofs
Single-ply PVC, TPO and EPDM roofs are often laid over insulation boards. Wet boards can show as temperature differences on the images.
Places near Little Common
Other services in Little Common
Thermal roof surveys in Little Common: local notes
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. A drone or thermal camera adds most on the steep, tall and hidden parts of roofs like these.
Take a building like Rayne Primary and Nursery School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Little Common is about 3 miles west of Braintree, in Essex. Roofs in Little Common get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Essex. Our Essex coverage includes Little Common and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
All of CM77 is covered for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover Rayne (1 mile north-east), Great Notley (1 mile south-east), Row Green (2 miles south-east), Young's End (2 miles south-east) and Panfield (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Chelmsford (9 miles south), Braintree (3 miles east), Maldon (12 miles south-east), Witham (7 miles south-east), Saffron Walden (15 miles north-west) and Halstead (8 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Little Common
We work in homes and buildings around Tabor Academy, 47 The Street pub and Cuckoo Wood and the streets around them. Little Common’s nearest station is Braintree station, roughly 2.4 miles east. A little further out are Tudor House Museum (Braintree) (2.7 miles north-east) and Braintree Community Hospital (1.7 miles north-east). Not far away are Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve.