Greater London · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Clerkenwell
Find out the condition of the roof at your property in Clerkenwell from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs
Standing water, blisters, splits and tired upstands all point to wear. We check outlets too, since a blocked one leaves water sitting on the roof, and we say what we see from wherever is safe.
Natural slate
Slate is common on Victorian and Edwardian houses. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Clerkenwell
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. Slates slip when their nails corrode, lead valleys and flashings wear, and chimney pointing crumbles. Most of it cannot be seen from the street. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so it’s clear what it means for your purchase. We survey lead flashings and valleys, gutters and downpipes and flat-roofed extensions and dormers, and the problems we are asked to look at most are chimney mortar that has eroded and ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof.
Homes across London range from Victorian and Edwardian terraces to interwar semis, post-war blocks and new developments, and a home in Clerkenwell could be any of them. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, the details that cause trouble depend on the age of the building. Slates, hidden valley gutters, parapets and flat roofs over back additions all need checking in their own way.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photograph where possible, and recommendations are put in order of urgency where relevant.
- Location
- Clerkenwell (N1, EC1V, WC1X)
- Region
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
When you need someone else
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- A structural engineer’s report
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and downpipes
Tips that help
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Tell us your exchange date when you book
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
It is worth sharing the report with your solicitor so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions, especially where we have found patch repairs.
After you move in, have leaves and moss cleared from gutters and valleys, especially after autumn. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Clerkenwell
To price your survey, we look at:
- How big the roof is
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- The shape of the roof and its details
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Helping us price your survey
Before you get in touch, it’s useful to have:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we’ll point you to the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Places near Clerkenwell
Other services in Clerkenwell
Landlords, agents and block managers in Clerkenwell
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
The survey, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and make notes for the report. It normally takes about one to two hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. In Clerkenwell, as in much of London, a good many properties are flats or terraces without side access, so rear slopes are viewed from windows, the loft or, where a flight is allowed, by drone. If the building has a managing agent or access rules, tell us as you book.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Clerkenwell
With Dr Johnson's House about 0.8 miles south, Clerkenwell sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Clerkenwell is about 1 mile from the restricted area over the City of London, where drone flights need permission from NATS. If the drone is used for your survey, the address is checked against it before any flight.
If you live in an older home near St James's Church, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming. Controlled parking zones are common in London, so mention any permit rules for Clerkenwell. If you let a flat or house near Farringdon station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Clerkenwell is about 2 miles north of London, in Greater London. We survey roofs in Clerkenwell and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Greater London, large and small.
We survey roofs across the N1, EC1V and WC1X postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Long Lane, City Road and Noel Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. With the A1 and A5201 close by, Clerkenwell is simple for us to get to for pre-purchase roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Farringdon (1 mile south), Angel (1 mile north), Smithfield (1 mile south), Holborn (1 mile south-west) and St Pancras (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Kensington (5 miles south-west), Walthamstow (5 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
Near you in Clerkenwell
We work in homes and buildings around Barts Health Archives, The Sekforde pub and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School and the streets around them. You’ll also find Tech City College (less than half a mile north-east) and King Square Gardens (less than half a mile north-east). Clerkenwell has its own railway station: Farringdon station. Nearby you will also find Brunswick Centre (0.9 miles west) and Montfichet's Tower (0.9 miles south). Not far away are St. James's Park Lake and Ludgate Hill.
Clerkenwell: your questions answered
Will parking be an issue for a roof survey in Clerkenwell?
It rarely stops a survey, but it is worth planning. Let us know the parking rules on your street and we’ll work around them.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Clerkenwell?
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 Clerkenwell in your area?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and that includes Clerkenwell.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, with a written report and photographs. It does not cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes, you can. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. We cannot promise how the seller will respond.
What if it rains on the day?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In high wind or heavy rain, a drone cannot fly and access may not be safe, so we’d move the date with you.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
On site, it typically takes about 1–2 hours for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.