Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Benson
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Benson and the rest of Oxfordshire. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Blocked or leaking gutters
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Benson
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 is safe access. The findings come in a written report with photos. Typical surveys look at standing water on a flat extension roof and flashings that have lifted or split, on natural slate, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and the roof space.
In a smaller place like Benson, homes are mostly houses and bungalows, from older cottages to more recent builds. In older homes, the slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens and underlay holding them. Whether you’re buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Breathable membranes only appeared in the late 1990s, so older roofs frequently have bitumen felt or nothing at all.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Place
- Benson (OX10)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
Once we’ve finished looking, we write up our findings as a report with photographs, emailed to you. As for time on site, it normally takes about 1–2 hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Homes around Benson frequently have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is looked at where it can be reached safely.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from the ground and from vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
How to prepare
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
Booking a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or email us with the details.
Related advice
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Benson
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The roof’s overall size
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Helping us price your survey
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. Just let us know:
- Anything about access we should know
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Benson
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time, and they’re priced for the size.
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as homeowners. A written report with photographs gives you a clear record of the roof, useful for planning maintenance.
Common roof problems in Benson
Many roofs have had quick fixes over the years. Bitumen over flashings, mortar fillets in place of lead and odd replacement tiles can be signs that something has leaked before. We note what we see so you can ask about it.
People usually book a survey after spotting something like this:
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
Take an older house close to Church of St Helen: the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Tips from our surveys
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Mention any deadline when you contact us
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Ask for loft access on the day
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Findings are set out in plain English, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have dropped. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Get a professional in rather than climbing up yourself.
Roof by roof
Flat roofs
Flat roofs on extensions, dormers and garages are easy to forget about. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We look for signs of age and failure.
Chimney stacks
Our chimney check is a visual one, and it isn’t a flue or gas safety check. If a flue needs testing, we will suggest who to ask.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Benson
Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new. Brightwell Manor, about 2.7 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Benson. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For landlords with property near Cholsey station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Benson is about 6 miles east of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. Benson is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire, large and small. We also survey roofs in Oxford.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: OX10. Whether your property is on High Street, Old London Road and Castle Square or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Benson include Preston Crowmarsh (1 mile south-west), Berrick Salome (2 miles north), Shillingford (2 miles north-west), Wallingford (2 miles south-west) and Warborough (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Oxford (10 miles north-west), Didcot (6 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (9 miles north-west), Thame (10 miles north-east), Wantage (14 miles west) and Henley-on-Thames (10 miles south-east).
Near you in Benson
We work in homes and buildings around Howbery Park, The Crown Inn and Wallingford School and the streets around them. The closest station to Benson is Cholsey station, roughly 4.2 miles south-west. A little further out are Wallingford Castle (1.4 miles south-west) and Aston Martin Heritage Trust Museum (3 miles north-west). The countryside around Benson includes Wittenham Clumps and Ewelme Watercress Beds.
Nearby places to Benson
Also in Benson
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Benson
Will you come out to Benson?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Is my home in Benson listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. You need the report before you exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
What’s the best way to book?
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
How long does the survey visit take?
Allow an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We’ll give you an idea of timing when you book.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
It depends on the roof and how confident you want to be. A home survey may recommend further investigation of the roof, and our survey gives you that closer look. It doesn’t stand in for a RICS survey.