Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Apse Heath, Isle of Wight
An experienced roof surveyor for pre-purchase roof surveys in Apse Heath. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Blocked or leaking gutters
The survey, step by step
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where it applies. The survey normally takes between one and two hours at a typical home, and more on a big or complicated roof. Somewhere like Apse Heath needs a little journey planning: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from ground level, 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.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations before you exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Getting a price
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Related advice
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Apse Heath
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. 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. We explain each finding in plain English, so it’s clear what it means for your purchase. Common reasons to book are slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and chimney mortar that has eroded, on gutters and downpipes, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and the roof space.
Somewhere as small as Apse Heath, 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, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible, with the urgent items made clear.
- Location
- Apse Heath (PO36)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Leave it or get it looked at?
When a chain is moving fast, a roof survey can feel like one more delay. Weekend visits are available as well as weekdays, and a Premium report comes the same day, which helps it fit around your exchange date. For an older or listed building in a place like Apse Heath, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What you get with us
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Apse Heath homes and their roofs
Apse Heath lies within about 2 miles of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain. Some villages on the Isle of Wight still have thatched roofs, and the whole island is open to sea air and wind. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
For landlords with property near Shanklin station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. Haseley Manor, about 1.8 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Apse Heath. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area.
Apse Heath is about 6 miles south-east of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Apse Heath. Our area takes in places right across the Isle of Wight, from the larger towns to small villages. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Every address in PO36 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on Ventnor Road, The Brambles and Newport Road and the roads around them. If you are just outside Apse Heath, we cover Princelett (1 mile south-west), Branstone (1 mile north-west), Winford (1 mile north), Hale Common (1 mile north-west) and Whiteley Bank (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Newport (6 miles north-west), Ryde (6 miles north), Cowes (9 miles north-west), Ventnor (3 miles south), East Cowes (8 miles north-west) and Oakfield (6 miles north). Harder-to-reach addresses take a little more planning, so let us know where you are when you book.
Around Apse Heath
The closest station to Apse Heath is Shanklin station, roughly 1.3 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Wight Aviation Museum (1 mile north-east) and Sandown Castle (2.6 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Stenbury Down and Alverstone Mead.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, with the most urgent items set out first.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We look for lead that has lifted, split or been patched over.
Clay and concrete tiles
Tiled roofs often last half a century or longer. We check for slipped, cracked and missing tiles, and for mismatched replacements that point to past repairs.
Useful tips for Apse Heath property owners
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Let us know your exchange date when booking
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Ask when the roof was last worked on
Once the home is yours, the report becomes a maintenance list. Deal with the urgent items first, and keep the photos to compare against later. The Premium Survey includes a 12-month follow-up to see how things have changed.
After strong winds, look at the roof from ground level. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Apse Heath
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
Nearby places to Apse Heath
More services for Apse Heath
Common questions in Apse Heath
Do you cover smaller places like Apse Heath?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Apse Heath?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. From the loft space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. It’s a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It does not cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.