Buckinghamshire · London and the South East
Akeley Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Akeley and the rest of Buckinghamshire. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Akeley
Some roofs can’t be seen well from the ground or from windows. Our Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and, where it applies, a drone inspection, along with a same-day report. Where a flight isn’t possible, because of airspace rules or the weather, we tell you and look from ground level, windows and the loft instead. We survey gutters and downpipes, chimney stacks and lead flashings and valleys, and the problems we are asked to look at most are cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing and slipped or missing slates and tiles.
Somewhere as small as Akeley, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters, each with a short note and a photograph. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Place
- Akeley (MK18)
- Wider area
- Buckinghamshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
We do not take risks to get a closer look. We inspect whatever is safely visible, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Somewhere as small as Akeley, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Before the survey
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
Helping us price your survey
When you call or email, these details help:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What’s prompted the survey
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- When you need the report by
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or email us, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Nearby places to Akeley
What else we do in Akeley
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Let us know your exchange date as you book
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. Whichever package you choose, you can ask us what a finding means.
Check the roof from the garden and the street after a storm. Pieces of slate or tile in the garden mean something has moved. Dealing with them early keeps water out.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. By the time a stain shows, timber or plaster may already be damp. Spotting it before you buy lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. Around Akeley, older homes often have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book with us
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Visits on any day of the week
Take a look at our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Akeley
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
Buying a home or a new roof in Akeley
Some villages in Buckinghamshire still have thatched roofs. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. The covering on a house you’re buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary): a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Akeley is about 2 miles north of Buckingham, in Buckinghamshire. We cover Akeley and the rest of Buckinghamshire. Our Buckinghamshire coverage includes Akeley and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Milton Keynes.
Surveys in MK18 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Main Street, Church Hill and Capel Close or anywhere close by, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Lamport (1 mile west), Maids Moreton (1 mile south), Leckhampstead (1 mile east) and Lillingstone Lovell (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Haydon Hill (15 miles south), Quarrendon Estate (15 miles south-east), Winslow (7 miles south-east), Watermead (15 miles south-east), Steeple Claydon (7 miles south) and Wingrave (15 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Akeley
Around Akeley, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Bull & Butcher pub. Nearby you will also find Buckingham Community Hospital (2.1 miles south) and The Menagerie (2.1 miles west). Not far away are Buckingham Sand Pit.
What we are asked to look at in Akeley
Buildings put up or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos. Cement roof sheets, soffits and flue pipes are typical places to find it. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys, but we flag materials that might and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before work starts.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
With Stowe House about 2.1 miles west, the area around Akeley has a long history. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
What to check before booking
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Their report turnaround times
- Their insurance cover
Common questions in Akeley
Is Akeley in the area you cover?
Yes. We work right across London and the South East, and Akeley is part of that. You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Is Akeley within the area you cover?
Yes. Akeley is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That gives you time to use the findings, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and it’s safe, yes. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. We survey the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It complements one rather than replacing it.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain doesn’t typically stop a survey. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.