London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in City of London
Wherever you are in the City of London, our roof surveyors can carry out pre-purchase roof surveys. Written reports with photos, and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Pre-purchase roof survey across the City of London
What it covers: a roof survey before you buy a house or flat. Find your town in the lists below for local details. To book, call 07833 053749.
Biggest towns in the City of London
What else we do in the City of London
- Drone roof survey
- Electronic leak detection
- Roof survey
- Flat roof survey
- Gutter survey
- Chimney survey
- Storm damage roof report
- Roof leak investigation
- Thermal imaging roof survey
- Landlord roof survey
- New roof snagging
Postcode areas we cover
Our pre-purchase roof survey service in the City of London
With a written roof report, you can go back to the seller or agent with specifics. You can ask about the roof’s history, ask for repairs before completion or rethink the price. What the seller agrees to is up to them, but you will be asking from facts rather than guesses. It also helps you decide whether to go ahead at all. We survey lead flashings and valleys, natural slate and the roof space, and people most frequently book us about gutters choked with leaves and moss and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone.
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the roof space is checked as well as the outside. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. The whole visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours.
- Once your offer has been accepted, you book and give us the address and your timescale.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- The roof is inspected from every safe vantage point, inside and out.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
What you will pay
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
What you get with us
- Surveys seven days a week
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- A report with photographs
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Local landmarks in City of London
Typical jobs here are in homes near Fashion Retail Academy, Prior Weston Primary School and Children's Centre and Barts Health Archives. Other local landmarks include Golden Fleece pub (less than half a mile south), St Alphage Garden (within half a mile north), Central Foundation Boys' School (0.8 miles north) and St Mary-at-Hill (0.5 miles south-east). There is a railway station in City of London itself: London Cannon Street station. Well-known places in the area include Gabriel's Wharf (0.8 miles south-west) and London Mithraeum (less than half a mile south). Green spaces nearby include St. James's Park Lake and Barnsbury Wood.
- Places of worship nearby include St Olave Old Jewry (under half a mile east)
Pre-purchase roof surveys across the City of London: local notes
The City of London has homes of every age, old and new, and some older buildings are listed or sit in conservation areas. Whether you’re buying or checking new roofing work, knowing the roof’s condition before you commit makes sense.
We work right across London and the South East, from the Isle of Wight to Hertfordshire, and the City of London is well within that. We survey on any day of the week.
City of London: For landlords with property near London Cannon Street station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. Controlled parking zones are common in London, so mention any permit rules for City of London.
Surveys for landlords and agents in the City of London
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 visit with that in mind.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photos included.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That’s where a survey comes in.
Different roofs, different checks
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, yet the nails that fix it often give out first. Slipped or missing slates are a sign of ‘nail fatigue’, and we note how widespread it looks.
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If a flue needs testing, we’ll suggest who to ask.
Why roofs fail
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, and ponding, blisters and splits are common signs of age. A buyer can easily miss them, especially when they’re only visible from an upper floor.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
What happens if roof problems are left?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Spotting it before you buy lets you deal with it as soon as you move in.
Before booking any surveyor
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What insurance they carry
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Will the report include photos?
Common questions in the City of London
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. How the seller responds is up to them.
Do I need a roof survey if I’m having a RICS survey?
It depends on the roof and how confident you want to be. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and our survey gives you that closer look. It isn’t a replacement for a RICS survey.
Will you need to get into the loft?
If it can be arranged, yes. From the roof space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. We’ll talk about access when booking.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Is the City of London in your area?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and that includes the City of London.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That way you can still act on what we find.