Kent · London and the South East
Cudham Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Get a clear view of the roof at a property in Cudham. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Cudham
A full home survey looks at the whole property, and the roof is only one part of it. We don’t offer a RICS home survey, and ours isn’t a substitute for one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photographs of what we find and written recommendations. The two sit side by side if you want the fullest picture. We survey chimney stacks, lead flashings and valleys and clay and concrete tiles, and people most frequently book us about blistered or split felt on a flat roof and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney.
Some older homes in villages like Cudham are listed or sit in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. Whether you’re buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Place
- Cudham (TN14)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Places near Cudham
More services for Cudham
How the survey works
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 get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Older roofs in small places like Cudham can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- We check the roof from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
Cudham: your questions answered
Are there drone restrictions around Cudham?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Biggin Hill Airport is about 3 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
Is Cudham within the area you cover?
Yes, Cudham is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. Much of the inspection is done from ground level, from windows and from the loft space. On Premium, a drone is used where it applies.
Will you need to get into the loft?
Where possible, yes. The loft tells us a lot about the roof, and views from upper windows help too. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
Different roofs, different checks
Clay and concrete tiles
Many post-war houses have concrete interlocking tiles. They wear slowly, but surfaces erode and edges crack, and low-pitched roofs need their laps to be right.
Chimney stacks
A stack stands exposed above the roof line. We check the pots, the flaunching, the pointing and the flashings.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Cudham
Patch repairs are common on roofs of every age. Bitumen over flashings, mortar fillets in place of lead and odd replacement tiles can be signs that something has leaked before. Our report records them so you can ask the seller what was done and when.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Old water stains in the loft space
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Before you book anyone
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Their insurance cover
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether VAT is added on top
Landlord and commercial surveys in Cudham
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work with less disruption.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Cudham
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Getting in touch
Before you get in touch, it helps to have:
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- The property’s address and postcode
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Cudham
Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. You will also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new. Historic houses such as Down House, about 1.4 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Cudham goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
For landlords with property near Chelsfield station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Cudham is about 5 miles south of Orpington, in Kent. From houses to flats and shops in Cudham, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. We cover towns and villages across Kent, large and small. You can also see our page for London.
We cover every part of the TN14 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. We cover properties on Cudham Lane South, Cacket's Lane and Newbarn Lane. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Single Street (1 mile west), Berry's Green (1 mile south-west), Horns Green (1 mile south-east), Burlings (1 mile south-east) and Luxted (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Dartford (11 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (5 miles south-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (15 miles south-east), Gravesend (15 miles north-east), Tonbridge (12 miles south-east) and Northfleet (14 miles north-east).
What’s near Cudham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Charles Darwin School and The Blacksmith's Arms and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Chelsfield station, roughly 3.1 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Orpington Hospital (3.3 miles north) and Crofton Roman Villa (3.9 miles north). The countryside around Cudham includes Downe Bank and Betsom's Hill.