Surrey · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Alfold
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Alfold.
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Alfold
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you’re tied in. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, plus the loft where there’s safe access. You get a report with photos. Common reasons to book are worn or lifted lead flashings and old water stains in the roof space, on flat-roofed extensions and dormers, the roof space and chimney stacks.
Somewhere as small as Alfold, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings frequently sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Where
- Alfold (GU6)
- Region
- Surrey
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Alfold
Most viewings never get near the roof. You see the rooms, not the slates, and a quick glance from the street misses a lot. Fresh decoration can also cover the marks an old leak left behind, which is why buyers book a closer look before committing.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Old water stains in the loft space
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Flashings that have lifted or split
For an older house near a landmark like Church of St Nicholas, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What follow-up you get after the report
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
Local roofs and buyers in Alfold
If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
In and around Alfold, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
Alfold is about 9 miles west of Horsham, in Surrey. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Alfold can all book pre-purchase roof surveys. Alfold is one of the places in Surrey where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Guildford.
All of GU6 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Whether your property is on Chapel Field Close, Loxwood Road and Cypress Grove or a nearby road, we can survey it. Close by, we survey roofs in Alfold Bars (1 mile south), Loxwood (1 mile south), Ifold (2 miles south), Durfold Wood (3 miles west) and Plaistow (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (11 miles north), Woking (15 miles north), Farnham (14 miles north-west), Dorking (12 miles north-east), Haslemere (9 miles west) and Cranleigh (3 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Alfold
We work in homes and buildings around The Crown pub and Fir Tree Copse, among other places. Green spaces nearby include Shillinglee Lake.
Practical tips
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
Your report arrives by email, with photos of what we found. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Each defect is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Alfold
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, putting the urgent items at the top.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait.
Places near Alfold
What else we do in Alfold
How it works
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. In a hamlet or village like Alfold, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- Access is arranged through you, the agent or the seller.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
How to prepare
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Book a survey
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know the cost up front. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Alfold
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The size of the roof
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Getting in touch
We’ll normally ask about:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- What’s prompted the survey
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
We survey roofs on any day of the week. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Roof by roof
Flat roofs
A flat roof that has been coated over several times may hide problems underneath. We say when the covering would need opening up to know more.
Clay and concrete tiles
Concrete interlocking tiles are common on post-war and newer homes. They’re heavy and hard-wearing, but they weather and can crack.
Questions from Alfold
How do I find out if my home in Alfold 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’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is Alfold within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Do you need to go inside the property?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Alfold?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Give us the address and some details about the roof. We survey seven days a week.
Do I need a roof survey if I’m having a RICS survey?
That depends on how much you want to know about the roof. A home survey may recommend further investigation of the roof, and our survey gives you that closer look. It is not a replacement for a RICS survey.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It complements one rather than replacing it.