Surrey · London and the South East
Downside Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys across Downside, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Blocked or leaking gutters
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Downside
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a careful look at it before you are committed. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, plus the loft where there is safe access. The findings come in a written report with photos. We survey the roof space, chimney stacks and natural slate, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone.
Being in a small place like Downside 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 as you book. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Downside (KT11)
- Region
- Surrey
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
When you need someone else
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Downside
Many older homes in Surrey have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old buildings in Surrey. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. About 2.7 miles north-west lies Byfleet Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Downside has been built on. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near St Michael's Chapel, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Downside is about 4 miles west of Leatherhead, in Surrey. Downside gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a proper look at whatever is safely visible, photos and a clear written report. Across Surrey, we cover Downside and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Guildford page.
Here we cover the KT11 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. We cover properties on Downside Common, Downsview Close and Deacon Close and the roads around them. We also cover Hatchford (1 mile west), Martyr's Green (1 mile south-west), Hatchford End (2 miles west), Whiteley Village (3 miles north) and Wisley (3 miles west). Further out, we also cover Guildford (8 miles south-west), Woking (7 miles west), Camberley (14 miles west), Epsom (6 miles east), Horley (14 miles south-east) and Redhill (12 miles south-east).
What’s near Downside
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Plough Public House and Parkside School and the streets around them. The closest station to Downside is Cobham & Stoke Dabernon station, roughly 1 mile north-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Epsom Cottage Hospital (5.1 miles north-east) and Send and Ripley History Society Museum (3.8 miles west). For a walk, there is Jubilee Wood and Boldermere Lake.
What we do, step by step
When we arrive, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. After that, we check everything we can see safely, from the ground, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where it applies. The survey typically takes an hour or two for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. For a village or hamlet like Downside, the journey is planned ahead of time: let us know about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect whatever is safely visible, inside and out.
- 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 report with photos and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
How to prepare
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
Arrange a survey
We confirm the price for your survey before you book, so you know the cost up front. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. To book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Before and after the survey
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. A few suggestions:
- Ask when the roof was last worked on
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Ask for loft access on the day
With Standard, you get a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation. If anything in the report isn’t clear, ask us.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Watch for stains, damp timbers and chinks of daylight. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
Why act early in Downside
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Finding the cause at the survey stage lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Downside, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book with us
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Every finding written up with photos
- An independent view of the roof
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Downside
Chimneys take the worst of the weather. Pointing crumbles, flaunching cracks and flashings lift. A stack may be shared with the neighbours, which can affect how any work is arranged.
We’re frequently asked to look at:
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
If you own a rental within reach of Cobham & Stoke Dabernon station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Before booking anyone
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- What exactly goes into their report
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- How long the report takes to arrive
FAQs for Downside
Do you carry out roof surveys in Downside?
Yes, Downside is within the area we cover. We work right across London and the South East. Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the property.
Do you cover smaller places like Downside?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
It normally takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Downside?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Do you go up on the roof?
Where it is safe, yes. We inspect from ground level, from windows and vantage points, from the loft and from the roof itself where safe. The Premium Survey adds a drone inspection where applicable.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes, you can. 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 I check my roof myself?
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.