Buckinghamshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Chilton, Buckinghamshire
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat across Chilton, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Call or email for a price.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Chilton
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. Common reasons to book are slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof, across gutters and downpipes, clay and concrete tiles and lead flashings and valleys.
In a village or hamlet like Chilton, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Location
- Chilton (HP18)
- Region
- Buckinghamshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
What happens if roof problems are left?
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Spotting it before you buy means you know about it from day one. Older cottages and farmhouses around Chilton can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and the package you choose.
Why us?
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- An independent view of the roof
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
Read how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We look for lead that has lifted, split or been patched over.
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and South East England have slate roofs. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Chilton
Do you cover smaller places like Chilton?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Is Chilton in the area you cover?
Yes, Chilton is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Chilton as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather is not right.
How long will you be at the property?
Allow about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We will give you an idea of timing when booking.
Buying a home or a new roof in Chilton
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Waddesdon Manor, about 4.2 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Chilton. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Parish Church of St Mary, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light. Landlords with a home close to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station may find that a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Chilton is about 4 miles north of Thame, in Buckinghamshire. Bookings from Chilton are handled just like any other: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Chilton is one of the towns and villages in Buckinghamshire where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. Oxford is in our area too.
Every address in HP18 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on Thame Road, Chapel Lane and Princes Close and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Easington (1 mile south), Shabbington (3 miles south-west), Little Ickford (3 miles south-west), Ickford (3 miles south-west) and North Weston (4 miles south). Further out, we also cover Aylesbury (8 miles east), Buckingham (14 miles north), Elmhurst (9 miles east), Southcourt (8 miles east), Princes Risborough (9 miles south-east) and Haydon Hill (7 miles east).
Around Chilton
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Poacher's Pocket pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Haddenham & Thame Parkway station, about 3.1 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Thame Museum (3.4 miles south) and Dinton Castle (4.7 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Snakemoor.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Landlords, agents and building managers in Chilton and across Buckinghamshire can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.
How it works
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. The whole visit normally takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Cottages and farmhouses around Chilton often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
How to prepare
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
How to book
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before you book.
Advice
What else we do in Chilton
Useful tips for Chilton property owners
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Check we’ll be able to get into the roof space
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Ask when the roof was last worked on
With the findings in hand, you can talk to the seller or their agent. Some buyers ask for repairs before completion, others ask for a change to the price. What happens next is your decision and the seller’s.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.