Independent Roof Survey · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey
An independent roof survey before you exchange, so you know the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what to raise with the seller.
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
- Chimney flashings that have lifted or cracked
- Blocked or overflowing gutters and valleys
What our pre-purchase roof survey involves
A roof can hide some of the costliest defects in a house, and a general home survey often only sees it from the ground. Our pre-purchase roof survey looks closely at the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys, gutters and the roof space where there is safe access. You get a written report with photographs that explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and how urgent they are. That gives you clear questions to put to the seller or agent before you exchange, and time to get repairs priced if you need to.
We survey roofs across London and the South East, with more than 5,000 surveys completed and over 20 years’ experience. We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Problems we look for
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
- Chimney flashings that have lifted or cracked
- Blocked or overflowing gutters and valleys
- Sagging or uneven roof slopes
- Worn flat roofs on extensions and dormers
Roofs and parts we survey
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- The roof space
How it works
- You tell us the address, the type of property and your timescale for exchange.
- We agree a date with you or the agent; surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft where access is safe, and by drone where applicable.
- We record defects with photographs and note what needs attention now and what can be planned.
- Your report is emailed to you, with written recommendations you can take to the seller or agent.
When to book
Book once your offer has been accepted and before you exchange. That leaves time to ask the seller about anything the report finds, and to get repairs priced if you want to renegotiate.
Alongside a RICS survey
Our roof survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 home survey and it doesn’t replace one. It looks at the roof in more detail than a whole-building survey usually can, so many buyers book both.
A real survey
A buyer asked us to survey a Victorian terrace in Islington before exchange. We found slipped slates, problems with the chimney flashings and blocked gutters, and used thermal imaging to check for moisture. The report identified about £8,500 of repairs, which the buyer negotiated with the seller. Read our case studies.
Price
Pre-purchase roof survey prices start from £150, including VAT. Choose the package that suits the roof and how much detail you need:
Basic Survey
from £150
Including VAT · report within 48 hours
- Visual inspection
- Basic condition report
- Photographs
- Written recommendations
- Report emailed to you
Standard Survey
from £250
Including VAT · report in 24–48 hours
- Comprehensive inspection
- Detailed report with photographs
- Moisture detection
- Structural check
- Report in 24–48 hours
- Follow-up consultation
Premium Survey
from £400
Including VAT · same-day report
- Full inspection
- Thermal imaging
- Drone inspection where applicable
- Structural analysis
- Same-day report
- In-person consultation
- 12-month follow-up review
Why it’s worth doing now
Roof defects are among the costliest things a buyer can inherit, and they’re hard to judge from the street. Slipped slates, worn flashings and tired flat roofs on extensions often only show up when someone looks closely. Finding them before you exchange gives you the chance to ask questions, get repairs priced and negotiate, rather than finding out after you’ve moved in.
What our survey covers and doesn’t
We inspect what can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from inside the roof space where there is safe access, from the roof where it is safe, and by drone where applicable. Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey, not a structural engineer’s report and not an asbestos survey, and we can’t see under coverings or inside walls without opening them up. Where a roof may contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag it so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before it is disturbed.
What affects the price
- The size and height of the roof
- How many roofs there are, including extensions, dormers and garages
- How complex the roof is: valleys, parapets, chimneys and different levels
- Access to the roof space and the roof
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Whether drone inspection or thermal imaging is needed
- For commercial roofs and blocks, the size of the roof and the number of buildings
What to check before booking a roof surveyor
- What the report includes, and when you’ll get it
- Whether photographs are included
- How the roof will be inspected: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- For drone work, a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What the survey doesn’t cover
- The price, including VAT
After the survey
Read the report with your solicitor and mortgage timetable in mind. If it lists defects, send the relevant parts to the selling agent and ask how the seller wants to deal with them, and get roofers’ prices for anything you’re unsure about before you exchange. If you’d like to talk anything through, call us.
Pre-purchase roof survey: common questions
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
After your offer is accepted and before exchange. That gives you time to raise anything we find with the seller or agent.
Do I still need a RICS survey?
Our survey covers the roof only. A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey looks at the whole building, so the two work well together.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Many buyers do. The report sets out the defects with photographs, which you can use to ask the seller for repairs or a price reduction. We can’t promise what the seller will agree to.
Do I need to be there?
No. We can arrange access with the selling agent or the owner. You’re welcome to attend if you’d like to talk through what we find.
How quickly will I get the report?
It depends on the package: within 48 hours for the Basic Survey, 24–48 hours for the Standard Survey and the same day for the Premium Survey.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our roof survey is a specialist inspection of the roof only. It isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 home survey of the whole building, and it isn’t a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers book it alongside a RICS survey when the roof needs a closer look.
Are you insured?
Yes. We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
When do you carry out surveys?
Surveys are carried out 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.
Page updated 27 October 2026
Near you
We survey roofs across London and the South East. Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in your area:
- London
- Brighton
- Southampton
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Oxford
- Milton Keynes
- Crawley
- Guildford
- Maidstone
- Canterbury
- Chelmsford
- Croydon
- St Albans
- Basingstoke
- Slough