Hampshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Crawley, Hampshire
An experienced roof surveyor for pre-purchase roof surveys in Crawley. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
Crawley homes and their roofs
A number of Hampshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. If your home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission, so check with the council.
If you let a flat or house near Winchester station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full. If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Crawley is about 5 miles north-west of Winchester, in Hampshire. We provide pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Crawley and the surrounding area. Crawley is one of the places in Hampshire we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. There is also a page for Southampton.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in SO21 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Worthy Down (3 miles east), South Wonston (3 miles east), Sutton Scotney (4 miles north-east), Barton Stacey (4 miles north) and Springvale (4 miles east). Larger places within reach include Winchester (5 miles south-east), Eastleigh (10 miles south), Andover (8 miles north-west), Totton (14 miles south), Chandler's Ford (9 miles south) and Hedge End (14 miles south).
Local landmarks in Crawley
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Fox And Hounds Public House and the streets around them. Crawley’s nearest station is Winchester station, about 4.5 miles south-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Winchester Castle (4.8 miles south-east) and Royal Hampshire County Hospital (4.5 miles south-east). The countryside around Crawley includes Winnall Moors.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Crawley: what you get
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. 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 you know what it means for the house you are buying. We’re frequently asked to look into gutters choked with leaves and moss and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, on gutters and downpipes, lead flashings and valleys and clay and concrete tiles.
Being in a small place like Crawley makes no difference to the inspection itself: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when you book, so the visit can be planned around them. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Visits can be booked on any day of the week.
Where we can’t see part of the roof, the report says so. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Crawley (SO21)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Surveys for landlords and agents in Crawley
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant beforehand.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
What happens on the day
You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Cottages and farmhouses around Crawley frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- 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.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
How to prepare
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Keep pets in another room
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or email us. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, with VAT included. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What we need to know
Some details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Crawley, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us price the survey accurately.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead-lined valleys and gutters are common on older homes in London and South East England. Splits in a lead valley send water inside, and missing lead is not unknown, as it’s a target for thieves.
Flat roofs
Standing water, blisters, splits and tired upstands all point to wear. Blocked outlets are checked as well.
Crawley questions
Is my home in Crawley listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Crawley?
Yes, Crawley is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Crawley as anywhere else.
Is a roof survey worth having alongside a home survey?
It is your choice, but the two do different jobs. A home survey looks at the whole property, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Ours sits alongside a RICS survey rather than replacing it.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
It usually takes an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. You need the report before you exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
How many surveys have you done?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Share the report with your solicitor
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Each defect is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly after autumn. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Get a professional in rather than climbing up yourself.
Places near Crawley
What else we do in Crawley
When you need someone else
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Asbestos testing of any kind
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space