Kent · London and the South East
Bearsted Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Bearsted, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
How the survey changes by roof type
Clay and concrete tiles
Tiled roofs frequently last half a century or longer. Cracked, slipped or missing tiles are noted, and for mismatched replacements that point to past repairs.
Lead flashings and valleys
Many leaks start at a flashing, so we look at each one closely. Any that need attention are photographed and explained.
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Bearsted
Our packages start with the Basic Survey from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where applicable and an in-person consultation. Choose the level that suits the home you’re buying. All three include a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations. We’re often asked to look into gutters choked with leaves and moss and roof slopes that look uneven or sagging, across natural slate, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and the roof space.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Bearsted, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. The same goes for a purchase or a new roof around Bearsted. Snags and wear both tend to show at dormer lead work and along flat-roof edges.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Bearsted (ME14, ME15)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect everything that’s safely in view, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Homes around Bearsted frequently have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Mention any side of the property we cannot get to. The loft, where there’s safe access, completes the picture.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Before the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Book a survey
We survey roofs seven days a week. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Advice
Buying a home or a new roof in Bearsted
Across Kent, older roofs are frequently handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. You will also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new. Stoneacre, about 1.3 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Bearsted. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Holy Cross Church, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Bearsted is about 2 miles east of Maidstone, in Kent. We visit Bearsted as part of our work across Kent, for homes and businesses alike. Bearsted is one of the places in Kent we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys.
Every address in ME14 and ME15 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on The Street, Tower Lane and Roseacre Lane and the roads around them. Close by, we survey roofs in Weavering (1 mile west), Grove Green (1 mile north-west), Caring (1 mile south-east), Thurnham (1 mile north-east) and Willington (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Sittingbourne (9 miles north-east), Gravesend (14 miles north-west), Tonbridge (14 miles west), Faversham (14 miles east), Northfleet (15 miles north-west) and Minster (14 miles north-east).
Around Bearsted
Typical jobs here are in homes near Mote Park, Valley Park School and The Kentish Yeoman pub. There is a railway station in Bearsted itself: Bearsted station. Other landmarks nearby include KIMS hospital (1.2 miles north-west) and The Mall Maidstone (2 miles west). Open spaces near Bearsted include Detling Hill.
Towns and villages near Bearsted
Also in Bearsted
Practical tips
Getting the most from a pre-purchase roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
- Do not leave it until just before exchange
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
With the findings in hand, you can talk to the seller or their agent. You might ask for the work to be done before completion, or ask to adjust the price. The outcome is between you and the seller.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Photos help if you later need a roofer or another survey.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Why get it checked now?
Once you exchange, the roof’s problems become yours. Before then, you can still ask questions, ask for work to be done or reconsider. Finding out later gives you the same facts, but too late to use them in the purchase. With lower homes, common in places like Bearsted, there is little between a roof defect and the ceiling, so water can show inside quickly once it gets past the covering. Catching the cause first saves redecorating as well.
Every price we give includes VAT. Prices start from £150, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Why us?
- 20+ years’ experience
- Plain-English reports with photos
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Read what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Bearsted questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Bearsted?
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.
Is Bearsted within the area you cover?
Yes. Bearsted is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. The report sets out what we found, with photos, so you can raise them with the seller or their agent. We cannot promise how the seller will respond.
How long does the survey visit take?
It usually takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Will you need to get into the loft?
If it can be arranged, yes. From the loft space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If access isn’t possible, we note it in the report.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
When to book a survey in Bearsted
Gutter problems often look minor from the street. Water spilling over a gutter soaks brickwork and can rot fascias and rafter ends. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. They’re part of what we look at.
Problems we come across often include:
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Blocked or leaking gutters
If you let a flat or house near Bearsted station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Questions to ask before you book
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether the price includes VAT
- What happens after the report arrives
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?