Kent · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Bicknor, Kent
A careful look at the roof at your property in Bicknor, with photographs and a written report.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
How the survey works
We check the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. The whole visit usually takes about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Around Bicknor, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it is 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.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from the ground and from vantage points.
- Inside, we check the roof space and look at the roof from windows.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
How to prepare
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Book a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Advice
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Bicknor
Book after your offer is accepted and before exchange. That’s when the findings are most useful, while you are not yet committed. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which helps when a sale is moving quickly. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Common reasons to book are slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, on gutters and downpipes, the roof space and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
Somewhere as small as Bicknor, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid, 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.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Bicknor (ME9)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Bicknor
Slates and tiles can outlast the nails, battens and underlay that hold them. Good slate can last well over a century, but corroded nails let slates slip. It’s a frequent finding on older houses and easy to miss from ground level.
Most people get in touch after spotting one of these:
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
For landlords with property near Hollingbourne station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Before you book anyone
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Are they insured for the work?
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
Nearby places to Bicknor
More services for Bicknor
What you can safely check yourself
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book and it will help the survey.
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.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Bicknor
Is Bicknor in the area you cover?
Yes, Bicknor is within the area we cover. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the property.
Is my home in Bicknor listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, with a written report and photos. It does not cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That gives you time to use the findings, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
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. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
When you need someone else
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Bicknor
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs
Ponding, blistering, splits and worn upstands are the usual warning signs. We look at outlets too, since a blocked one leaves water sitting on the roof, and we say what we see from wherever is safe.
Gutters and parapets
Parapet and box gutters are hidden behind walls and can overflow inside. Where we can see them safely, we check the linings and outlets.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Bicknor: local notes
About 3.7 miles south-west lies Leeds Castle, a reminder of how long the area around Bicknor has been built on. 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 any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you live in an older home near Church of St James, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Bicknor is about 4 miles south-west of Sittingbourne, in Kent. We survey roofs in Bicknor as part of our work across London and South East England. Our Kent coverage includes Bicknor. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
Every address in ME9 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover the places around Bicknor: Hucking (1 mile west), Wormshill (1 mile south-east), Broad Street (2 miles south-west), Hollingbourne (2 miles south-west) and Eyhorne Street (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (6 miles west), Ashford (14 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (4 miles north-east), Faversham (9 miles east), Minster (10 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles west).
Landmarks near Bicknor
For rail, the closest station is Hollingbourne station, roughly 2.8 miles south-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Leeds Castle (3.7 miles south-west) and KIMS hospital (4.9 miles west). Not far away are Detling Hill.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- Roof area
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Which survey package you book
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
For a price for your roof in Bicknor, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the roof. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
What we need to know
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It helps to include:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The property’s address and postcode
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.