Medway · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Capstone, Medway
A careful look at the roof at your property in Capstone, with photographs and a written report.
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Capstone
A full home survey looks at the whole property, and the roof is only one part of it. We don’t offer a RICS home survey, and ours is not a substitute for one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photos of what we find and written recommendations. You can have both if you want the fullest picture. Common reasons to book are blocked or leaking gutters and ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof, on the roof space, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and lead flashings and valleys.
Somewhere as small as Capstone, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings frequently 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. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Where
- Capstone (ME7)
- Region
- Medway
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Slate is common on Victorian and Edwardian houses. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked, as far as we can see them safely.
What happens on the day
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Capstone, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- Access to the house and the roof space is agreed beforehand.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Booking a survey
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
Honest limits
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, so a survey has limits:
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Capstone
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- The roof space
Capstone homes and their roofs
Capstone lies within about 3 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Corroded clips and nails and lifted ridge pieces are typical of exposed roofs near the sea, which is worth knowing before you buy or pay for new work. Across Kent, older roofs are often handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
Landlords with a home close to Gillingham (Kent) station may find that a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near All Saints Church, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Capstone is about 1 mile south-west of Gillingham, in Medway. We survey roofs in Capstone as part of our work across London and South East England. Capstone is one of the towns and villages in Medway we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. There’s also a page for Maidstone.
All of ME7 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Darland (1 mile north), Hale (1 mile north-west), Hempstead (1 mile south-east), Gillingham (1 mile north-east) and Chatham (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Rochester (4 miles north-west), Strood (4 miles north-west), Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north), Rochester Riverside (3 miles north-west), Peters Village (4 miles west) and Brompton (3 miles north-west).
What’s near Capstone
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Chatham Grammar School for Girls, The Star pub and The Robert Napier School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Gillingham (Kent) station, about 2 miles north. Well-known places in the area include Medway Maritime Hospital (1.7 miles north-west) and Pentagon Shopping Centre (2.3 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Burham Down and Blue Bell Hill.
What we are asked to look at in Capstone
Blocked or leaking gutters do damage that isn’t obvious at first. Overflowing water soaks walls and can rot the timber behind. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. They’re part of what we look at.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Historic houses such as Restoration House, about 3.1 miles north-west, show how far back building around Capstone goes. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Before you book anyone
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.
FAQs for Capstone
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Capstone?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is drone flying allowed in Capstone?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Capstone is about 3 miles from Rochester Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it is not a RICS home survey. It works alongside a home survey.
How do I book a survey in Capstone?
It is easiest to phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. Give us the address and a few details about the roof. We survey on any day of the week.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That gives you time to use the findings, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only where it is safe. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft, and a drone is part of the Premium Survey where applicable.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We check the parts we are given access to.
What a survey costs
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You will know the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- What made you get in touch
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The address and postcode of the property
- What kind of property and roof it is
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.