Medway · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Cooling Street
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Cooling Street, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
What we look for on each type of roof
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay plain tiles are common on older South East homes, and some still have peg tiles. Rotten pegs let tiles slide, so we look for gaps along the courses.
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Splits in a lead valley send water inside, and missing lead is not unknown, as it’s a target for thieves.
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Cooling Street
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. We look closely and record what we see, with photos so you can see it for yourself. Each finding is explained in plain words, so it’s clear what it means for your purchase. We survey chimney stacks, natural slate and flat-roofed extensions and dormers, and people most often book us about ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof and old water stains in the roof space.
Being in a small place like Cooling Street makes no difference to the inspection itself: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you are buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Visits can be booked seven days a week.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Cooling Street (ME3)
- Region
- Medway
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Cooling Street
How do I find out if my home in Cooling Street is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Cooling Street?
Often, yes. Cooling Street is within about 3 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
What insurance do you have?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. You need the report before you exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
When will the report arrive?
That depends on which survey you choose: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Let us know your timetable as you book.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. From the loft space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Cooling Street
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Cooling Street and across Medway can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
The survey, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes an hour or two at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Cooling Street, access is usually the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- Access to the house and the roof space is agreed in advance.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- Inside, we check the roof space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations before you exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Each defect is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
After you move in, have leaves and moss cleared from gutters and valleys, ideally once the leaves have dropped. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
What we can’t see
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that’s a RICS home survey)
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Cooling Street: local notes
Cooling Street lies within about 3 miles of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Historic houses such as Temple Manor, about 3.9 miles south, show how far back building around Cooling Street goes. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area. If you live in an older home near St James' Church, 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 Higham station may find that the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Cooling Street is about 4 miles north of Rochester, in Medway. We survey roofs in Cooling Street and the rest of Medway. Cooling Street is one of the places in Medway where we work. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the ME3 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Cooling (1 mile north-east), Chattenden (2 miles south-east), Wainscott (2 miles south), Lower Upnor (2 miles south) and High Halstow (2 miles east). Further out, we also cover Gillingham (6 miles south-east), Chatham (6 miles south), Rochester (4 miles south), Rainham (7 miles south-east), Strood (4 miles south) and Luton (5 miles south).
Near you in Cooling Street
In Cooling Street, that means homes and buildings near The Hundred of Hoo Academy and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Higham station, roughly 2.2 miles south-west. Other landmarks nearby include Huguenot Museum (3.7 miles south) and French Hospital (3.8 miles south). The countryside around Cooling Street includes Gad's Hill and Rede Common.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Cooling Street
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The roof’s overall size
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
What to let us know when you get in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.