Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Cowley, Oxfordshire
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Cowley, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Cowley?
Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999. Cement roof sheets, soffits and flue pipes are typical places to find it. We do not carry out asbestos surveys, but our report flags materials that could contain it and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before work starts.
Common reasons to book include:
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
Landlords with a home close to Oxford station may find that it’s worth knowing a roof’s condition before you buy it, or before you sign off new roofing work on it.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Is VAT included in the price?
Pre-purchase roof survey in Cowley: what you get
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 photographs that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so it is clear what it means for your purchase. We survey flat-roofed extensions and dormers, clay and concrete tiles and lead flashings and valleys, and the problems we are asked to look at most are blistered or split felt on a flat roof and bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Cowley, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. The same goes for a purchase or a new roof around Cowley. Lead around a dormer and the edges of a flat roof are common places for snags and wear alike.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Location
- Cowley (OX4, OX3)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Places near Cowley
What else we do in Cowley
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Cowley
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Historic houses like Holywell Manor, about 2.1 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Cowley goes. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
Take an older house close to Church of St Luke: older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
Cowley is about 1 mile south-east of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. Cowley is one of many places we visit across Oxfordshire. Our Oxfordshire coverage includes Cowley.
Surveys in OX4 and OX3 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on Barns Road, Marsh Road and Clive Road and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Cowley: Iffley (1 mile west), Blackbird Leys (1 mile south), Donnington (1 mile north-west), Littlemore (1 mile south-west) and Oxford (1 mile north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Didcot (9 miles south), Bicester (12 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (5 miles south-west), Witney (12 miles west), Thame (10 miles east) and Wantage (13 miles south-west).
What’s near Cowley
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Nelson pub, South Park and Emmanuel Christian School, among other places. Nearby too are Greyfriars Catholic School (0.6 miles north-west) and Alexander Library of Ornithology (1.9 miles north-west). Cowley’s nearest station is Oxford station, about 2.7 miles north-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Templars Square (within half a mile south-west) and British Tattoo History Museum (0.7 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Headington Hill and CS Lewis Nature Reserve.
For landlords and managing agents
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed ahead of time. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which helps when tenants work during the week.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. By the time a stain shows, timber or plaster may already be damp. Finding the cause at the survey stage means you know about it from day one. Homes in smaller places like Cowley can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Each storm lifts it a little further.
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and which survey you book.
Why book with us
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- An independent view of the roof
- 98% customer satisfaction
Read what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
What we do, step by step
There is not much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will take it from there. The survey itself takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In a smaller place like Cowley, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from ground level, and the loft shows the rest, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where it applies.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Let us know about parking near the property
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Read more
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Cowley
Do you carry out roof surveys in Cowley?
Yes, Cowley is within the area we cover. We work right across London and the South East. Just call 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Will you come out to Cowley?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, with a written report and photos. It is not a RICS survey and does not cover the rest of the house.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
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?
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.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
Allow an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We’ll give you an idea of timing when booking.
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Let us know your timetable
If the report shows work is needed, you can raise it with the seller or agent. You might ask for the work to be done before completion, or ask to adjust the price. What happens next is your decision and the seller’s, and we can’t promise any result.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- How big the roof is
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the roof. We will confirm the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
A little information up front helps. Please include:
- What made you get in touch
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.