Greater London · London and the South East
Roof surveys in SE5
Pre-purchase, leak, drone and flat roof surveys across SE5, from East Dulwich, Camberwell and Denmark Hill. Clear prices including VAT and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Where we work in SE5
What we do in SE5
- Landlord roof survey
- New roof snagging
- Gutter survey
- Roof survey
- Storm damage roof report
- Roof leak investigation
- Electronic leak detection
- Drone roof survey
- Pre-purchase roof survey
- Chimney survey
- Thermal imaging roof survey
- Flat roof survey
- Every service
Tell us the address and what you’re worried about to book a survey: ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
About roof surveys in SE5
Roof coverings last a long time, but not for ever. Natural slate can last 100 years or more, and clay and concrete tiles commonly 50 years or more, yet nails, battens and underlay frequently fail first. A survey shows which parts of your roof are wearing. Knowing that helps you plan work before it becomes urgent. Common reasons to book are loose ridge or hip tiles and torn or sagging underlay, across flat roofs, clay and concrete tiles and lead flashings.
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings as a written report with photos, sent to you by email. As for time on site, most surveys take an hour or two on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours.
- We start by hearing what you’d like checked and why.
- We arrange a day that suits you, including weekends.
- The roof is inspected from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and photograph what we find.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
How our prices work
Prices start from £150, with VAT included, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
What you get with us
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- 20+ years’ experience
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Booking a survey
We confirm the price for your survey before booking, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Local landmarks in East Dulwich
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Charter School, Dog Kennel Hill School and Brunswick Park and the streets around them. Also close by are The Fox on the Hill pub (within half a mile north-west), The Latter Rain Outpouring Revival Church (within half a mile north-east) and The Charter School East Dulwich (less than half a mile south-east). East Dulwich has its own railway station: East Dulwich station. Well-known places in the area include House of Dreams Museum (less than half a mile south-east) and Surrey Quays Shopping Centre (2.8 miles north-east). Not far away are Knight's Hill and Centre for Wildlife Gardening.
Roof surveys across SE5: local notes
Across SE5, plenty of older houses still have chimney stacks, used or not, and the lead and mortar around them need watching. Valleys, gutters and fixings follow close behind.
The South East’s airspace includes flight restriction zones around several of its airports, so every drone flight in SE5 is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Where permission is needed, the flight waits for it.
East Dulwich: For landlords with property near East Dulwich station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. Kingswood House, about 2.2 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around East Dulwich. Older roofs nearby often mix original materials with later repairs, and the survey shows where each one is.
Useful tips for SE5 property owners
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Look for debris in the garden after high winds
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Mention any damp patches when you book
- Clear the loft hatch area before we arrive
With the Standard Survey you get a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation. It is a chance to ask questions about anything in the report.
Every so often, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Look for water marks, damp wood and chinks of light. Take photos of anything that changes.
What this survey cannot tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- A structural engineer’s report
- The condition of the rest of the building (that is a RICS home survey)
What you can safely check yourself
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Do not go up yourself.
Why roofs fail
Slates and tiles frequently outlast the fixings that hold them. On slate roofs, corroded nails let slates slip, which is known as ‘nail fatigue’. On tiled roofs, the battens or pegs may be what’s gone.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
- Crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Gaps in the roof where coverings have gone
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but its nails often corrode first. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates.
Flat roof coverings
Standing water, blisters and splits all point to wear. Upstands and outlets are checked too.
SE5 questions
How much is a survey?
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It can, depending on the survey. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions are not right, we will talk to you about another date.
How many surveys have you done?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We carry out surveys seven days a week. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in.
Does a roof survey replace a structural engineer?
No. Our survey looks at the condition of the roof, and the Standard and Premium packages include a structural check. It does not include structural calculations, which need an engineer.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.