Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Charlbury Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Charlbury from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
Why get it checked now?
A mortgage valuation isn’t a roof survey. It looks at whether the property is suitable security for the loan, not at the condition of each slate and flashing. A roof survey is carried out for the buyer, and the report is written for you to use. Homes in smaller places like Charlbury can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Wind gets under it and lifts more, and water follows.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Charlbury
- 98% customer satisfaction
- An independent look at the roof
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Charlbury
With a written roof report, you can go back to the seller or agent with specifics. You can ask about the roof’s history, ask for repairs before completion or rethink the price. What the seller agrees to is up to them, but you’ll be negotiating from a clear picture rather than a hunch. It can also help you decide whether the purchase is still right for you. If you are worried about signs of past leaks inside the loft and gutters that overflow or drip at the joints, we can find out what’s behind it.
In a smaller place like Charlbury, some houses face open ground, so their roofs may take more wind and driving rain. Loose ridge tiles, lifted coverings and tired flashings are the kind of things that show it. For a purchase or a new roof, those exposed edges are looked at closely. On an exposed roof, a loose ridge or verge soon becomes a bigger job.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- Charlbury (OX7)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Charlbury: local notes
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
If you own a rental within reach of Charlbury station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full. Take an older house close to St Mary's Church: the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Charlbury is about 6 miles north of Witney, in Oxfordshire. Roofs in Charlbury get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Oxfordshire. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire, large and small. We also survey roofs in Oxford.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: OX7. That includes homes and businesses on Market Street, Crawborough Road and Sandford Rise and the roads around them. With the B4022 and B4026 close by, Charlbury is easy for us to reach. Other places close to Charlbury include Fawler (2 miles south-east), Spelsbury (2 miles north-west), Finstock (2 miles south), Stonesfield (2 miles south-east) and Ramsden (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (13 miles south-east), Banbury (14 miles north-east), Bicester (14 miles east), Witney (6 miles south), Carterton (9 miles south-west) and Kidlington (9 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Charlbury
Around Charlbury, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Ye Olde Three Horseshoes pub and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Charlbury station, about 0.5 miles west. The countryside around Charlbury includes Blenheim Farm.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Our chimney check is a visual one, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If a flue needs testing, we’ll suggest who to ask.
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and South East England have slate roofs. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, plus the metal clips that show earlier patching.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
It is worth sharing the report with your solicitor so questions can go to the seller’s solicitor. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Watch for stains, damp timbers and chinks of daylight. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Charlbury
Is my home in Charlbury listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is Charlbury within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it’s applicable and safe, yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where it applies, the Premium Survey.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Mention it when you contact us and we will explain what’s needed.
Do you go up on 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.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain does not typically stop a survey. Strong wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
How it works
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. Most surveys take an hour or two at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. A visit to a smaller place like Charlbury is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
How to prepare
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to phone 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
What this survey cannot tell you
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Charlbury
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks