Kent · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Smarden, Kent
Get a clear view of the gutter at a property in Smarden from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Joints that drip after rain
- Leaking or loose downpipes
- Gutters full of debris and silt
Gutter surveys for homes and businesses in Smarden
This survey covers rainwater above ground: gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows. It is not a CCTV drain survey, so we can’t see inside underground pipes. Where water seems to be backing up from below ground, the report will say so, so you can get the drains checked separately. Anything we find above ground, such as a split hopper or a leaking downpipe, is photographed and recorded. Typical surveys look at joints that drip after rain and leaking or loose downpipes, on valley gutters, fascias and soffits and eaves gutters.
Older buildings in small places like Smarden may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is frequently expected.
The report records the gutter as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later.
- Place
- Smarden (TN27)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Smarden homes and their roofs
Listing and conservation areas can both shape what roof work is allowed on an older home. Your council and Historic England’s list will tell you where you stand, ideally before any re-roofing is planned. Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Michael, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. For site and facilities teams at buildings like Smarden Primary School, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. Landlords with a home close to Pluckley station may find that a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Smarden is about 8 miles west of Ashford, in Kent. Surveys in Smarden work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Our Kent coverage includes Smarden and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
All of TN27 is within our area for gutter surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on The Street, The Acorns and Water Lane and the roads around them. Other places close to Smarden include Biddenden Green (1 mile north-east), Smarden Bell (1 mile north-west), Monk's Hill (1 mile south-west), Swift's Green (1 mile north-west) and Standen (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (11 miles north-west), Ashford (8 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north), Faversham (14 miles north-east), Kings Hill (15 miles north-west) and Davington (14 miles north-east).
Near you in Smarden
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Chequers Inn, among other places. The nearest railway station is Pluckley station, about 2.6 miles east. Nearby you’ll also find Romden Castle (1 mile east) and Benenden Hospital (5.3 miles south-west).
Places near Smarden
More services for Smarden
What we do, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes between one and two hours for most houses, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Older rural homes like those around Smarden can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- First, you tell us what you’ve seen, such as overflows or damp.
- The eaves gutters, downpipes and fascias are checked from the ground and vantage points.
- We check hidden gutters, such as valleys and parapets, where it is safe to see them.
- We look in the loft space, where there is safe access, for signs of water getting in.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Arrange a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Checking the roof from the ground
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
Why get it checked now?
It is easy to put damp down to the wrong cause. If a leaking gutter or downpipe is the source, other work on the wall won’t stop it. Checking the gutters first helps you spend in the right place. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Smarden, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, which starts from £400, including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
Why us?
- Plain-English reports with photos
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- An independent look at the roof
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
For landlords and managing agents
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Different roofs, different checks
Plastic (uPVC) gutters
On plastic systems, slipped joints are one of the most common faults. The report notes every one we spot.
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead gutters need their linings, steps and outlets in good order as far as they can be seen safely. Missing lead is something we check for too.
How we price gutter surveys
Survey packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The size of the roof
- Height and safe access
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both including VAT. You will know the price for the job before booking.
Helping us price your survey
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Gutter survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Questions from Smarden
How do I find out if my home in Smarden is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Will you come out to Smarden?
Yes, Smarden is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How many surveys have you done?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only if it is safe. We inspect what can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows, from inside the loft space, from the roof where it is safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we can’t see is noted in the report.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
When does the report arrive?
Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. Mention any deadline when booking.
Do you test soffits or gutters for asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos testing. If rainwater goods or soffits look like they could contain asbestos, we note it so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before any work.