Frequently asked questions

Call 07833 053749, email info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk or use our contact form. Tell us the address or postcode, the type of property, what you need the survey for and any problems you already know about. We’ll confirm the price and agree a date with you.

We carry out surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 7:30am–9:30pm, Saturday 7:30am–7pm and Sunday 9am–5pm.

We survey roofs across London and the South East: Greater London, the City of London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes and the Isle of Wight. See areas we cover.

Someone needs to let us in if you want the loft and the inside of the property looked at, for example to see ceiling stains. If you’re buying, the seller or estate agent usually arranges access. Tell us about access when you book.

Usually about 1–2 hours on site for a house and about 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. Larger or more complex roofs take longer.

Only where it’s safe to do so. We inspect what can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows and other vantage points, from inside the roof space where there’s safe access, from the roof itself where it’s safe, and by drone where applicable.

Yes, where there’s safe access. The roof space often shows things you can’t see from outside, such as daylight through the covering, damp timbers, staining, condensation and poor ventilation.

Strong wind or heavy rain stops a drone flying safely, and thermal imaging works best on a dry roof with little wind, so the weather on the day decides whether those parts go ahead. We’ll talk to you if the weather affects what we can do.

It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report comes within 48 hours, the Standard Survey report in 24–48 hours, and the Premium Survey report the same day.

A written report with photographs explaining the condition of the roof and any defects, with written recommendations, prioritised by urgency where relevant. It’s emailed to you. See what our survey covers.

No. The report describes what we found and what we recommend. To get prices, ask roofers to quote against the report, so everyone is pricing the same work.

Yes. It’s your report, and many people use it to brief roofers, raise questions with a seller or estate agent, or give evidence to an insurer.

Yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID) and we fly a sub-250g drone, keeping it in sight and within the Drone Code.

Airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stansted, Luton and Southampton have flight restriction zones, and flying inside one needs permission from the airport or air traffic control. Central London has restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. We check the airspace before every flight, and if a drone can’t be used we’ll tell you before the day.

We only inspect the roofs we’re given access to, and we take care with the camera over other people’s property and gardens.

Our packages start from £150 for a Basic Survey, £250 for a Standard Survey and £400 for a Premium Survey, all including VAT. Electronic leak detection and larger commercial roofs are quoted for your roof. See prices.

The price depends on the size of the roof, how easy it is to reach, the height of the building and what you need the survey for. We confirm the price before we book you in.

The Basic Survey suits a straightforward check with photographs and recommendations. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis, a same-day report and an in-person consultation. Ask us if you’re not sure.

After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts, so there’s time to ask questions about anything the report finds.

Our roof survey complements a RICS survey rather than replacing it. A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building; we look closely at the roof. Read roof survey vs RICS surveys.

Many buyers use the report to ask the seller to put things right, reduce the price or agree a retention. We can’t promise what the seller will agree to. See using a roof report to negotiate.

Yes. We survey roofs for landlords, letting agents, managing agents and residents’ management companies, including shared roofs. We can only inspect the parts of a roof we’re given access to. See landlord roof surveys.

Yes. A report that sets out defects by urgency helps you plan which work to do now and which to budget for later, across one building or several.

Yes. A roof leak investigation traces where the water is getting in and gives you a written report to brief a roofer.