Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Charing
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you spend money on it. Pre-purchase roof surveys in Charing, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Charing
If you’re buying a flat, the roof may well be shared. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company. We check as much of the roof as access safely allows, and the report gives you clear points to raise with your solicitor or the managing agent. Where the building has a flat roof, it is checked as far as access allows. If you’ve noticed blocked or leaking gutters and loose pots and cracked flaunching, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on gutters and downpipes, lead flashings and valleys and flat-roofed extensions and dormers alike.
Around Charing, you’ll mostly find houses and bungalows of different ages. Older roofs may still have their original slates or clay tiles, with fixings and underlay that have done a long stint. Whether you’re buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Older roofs often have bitumen felt under the coverings, as breathable membranes only arrived in the late 1990s.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. It is useful right away, and a good reference for later.
- Location
- Charing (TN27)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings close the gaps at chimneys, walls and abutments. We look for lead that has lifted, split or been patched over.
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay plain tiles are common on older South East homes, and some still have peg tiles. Where pegs have rotted, tiles can slip, so we look for gaps along the courses.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
What happens if roof problems are left?
It’s tempting to skip the roof to keep a sale moving. We visit on any day of the week, and a Premium report comes the same day, which helps it fit around your exchange date. In a smaller place like Charing, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing doesn’t stay loose for long. Wind gets under it and lifts more.
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Charing
- Package prices that include VAT
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Take a look at our cost guide or what we found on two real jobs.
What happens on the day
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take about one to two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. In a smaller place like Charing, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part: the parts that need calm, dry weather are planned around it.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Getting ready for the survey
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Getting a price
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
When to book a survey in Charing
The fixings and underlay often fail before good slates or tiles do. Good slate can last well over a century, but corroded nails let slates slip. That kind of wear is common on older roofs.
Common reasons to book include:
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Old water stains in the loft space
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Landlords with a home close to Charing station may find that a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Before you book anyone
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- What follow-up you get after the report
Local roofs and buyers in Charing
Historic houses such as Godinton House, about 3.9 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Charing goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St Peter and St Paul, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Charing is about 6 miles north-west of Ashford, in Kent. Anywhere in Charing, we can carry out pre-purchase roof surveys at your property. We cover towns and villages across Kent, large and small. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
We survey roofs across the TN27 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. You’ll find streets such as The High Street, Market Place and Station Road, and we cover them all. If you’re just outside Charing, we cover Charing Heath (1 mile west), Cold Harbour (2 miles north-west), Lenham Heath (2 miles west), Stonebridge Green (2 miles west) and Lenham Forstal (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (12 miles west), Ashford (6 miles south-east), Canterbury (13 miles east), Sittingbourne (9 miles north), Whitstable (14 miles north-east) and Faversham (8 miles north-east).
Near you in Charing
We work in homes and buildings around Spuckles and Kennelling Woods and King's Head Public House. Charing has its own railway station: Charing station. Other landmarks nearby include Coldbridge Castle (4.3 miles west).
Towns and villages near Charing
What else we do in Charing
FAQs for Charing
Do you carry out roof surveys in Charing?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Charing as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Will you come out to Charing?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it usually takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in; we’ll agree the details when you book.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain is typically fine; heavy rain and wind are different. In strong wind or a downpour, a drone cannot fly and access may not be safe, so we’d move the date with you.
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.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it is applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
What this survey cannot tell you
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll suggest the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate