Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Appleford-on-Thames
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat for Appleford-on-Thames, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Appleford-on-Thames
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. We look closely and record what we see, with photos that show you exactly where. Each finding is explained in plain words, so it is clear what it means for your purchase. We are often asked to look into chimney mortar that has eroded and standing water on a flat extension roof, on chimney stacks, gutters and downpipes and the roof space.
Somewhere as small as Appleford-on-Thames, 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. Whether you’re buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Location
- Appleford-on-Thames (OX14)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the roof space if there’s safe access. All told, expect about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Somewhere like Appleford-on-Thames needs a little journey planning: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- Access to the house and the roof space is agreed beforehand.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from ground level and from vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it’s safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Check pets are kept safely away
Arrange a survey
To book a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
Nearby places to Appleford-on-Thames
What else we do in Appleford-on-Thames
What we are asked to look at in Appleford-on-Thames
The fixings and underlay often fail before good slates or tiles do. Natural slate can last 100 years or more, yet the nails holding it rust and let slates slide. It is a frequent finding on older houses.
We are often asked to look at:
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
If you live in an older home near Church of St Peter and St Paul, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What the survey will not cover
- What experience they bring
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
Buying a home or a new roof in Appleford-on-Thames
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. About 1.9 miles north-east lies Clifton Hampden Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Appleford-on-Thames has been built on. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you let a flat or house near Appleford station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Appleford-on-Thames is about 2 miles north of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. Surveys in Appleford-on-Thames work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Oxford is in our area too.
We work across OX14 for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. You will find streets such as Chambrai Close, Church Street and Main Road. Close by, we survey roofs in Long Wittenham (1 mile east), Culham (1 mile north-west), Sutton Courtenay (2 miles west), Clifton Hampden (2 miles north-east) and Didcot (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (8 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (3 miles north-west), Witney (15 miles north-west), Thame (14 miles north-east), Wantage (8 miles south-west) and Grove (8 miles west).
Landmarks near Appleford-on-Thames
We work in homes and buildings around Carpenters Arms, among other places. There is a railway station in Appleford-on-Thames itself: Appleford station. Nearby you will also find Pendon Museum (1 mile east) and FitzHarris Castle (3.1 miles north-west). Open spaces near Appleford-on-Thames include Mowbray Fields and Wittenham Clumps.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Roof area
- Height and safe access
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Booking your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Appleford-on-Thames
Is Appleford-on-Thames in the area you cover?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and Appleford-on-Thames is part of that. Just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Appleford-on-Thames is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Does someone need to be in?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access; we will agree the details when you book.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only where it is safe to do so. Much of the inspection is done from ground level, from windows and from the roof space. On Premium, a drone is used where it applies.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Appleford-on-Thames?
Simply call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day.
How long will you be at the property?
Allow about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Will you need to get into the loft?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Appleford-on-Thames
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.
What you can safely check yourself
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
Practical tips
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Let us know your timetable
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. 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.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Watch for stains, damp timbers and chinks of daylight. Photos help if you later need a roofer or another survey.