Greater London · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Eltham
We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Eltham and the rest of Greater London. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Eltham
With a written roof report, you can go back to the seller or agent with specifics. You can ask about the roof’s history, ask for repairs before completion or rethink the price. We can’t say how a seller will respond, but you will be negotiating from a clear picture rather than a hunch. It can also help you decide whether the purchase is still right for you. If you are worried about gutters choked with leaves and moss and cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Many London homes have been converted into flats, extended at the back or given a loft conversion with a dormer. Each change adds roof details, like flat roofs, new flashings and junctions with the original slopes. If you’re buying a flat or house in Eltham, or have just had new roofing work done, those junctions are often where problems start. Dormer cheeks, lead work and new flat roofs are worth checking closely, as faults there are easy to miss.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Where
- Eltham (SE9, SE12, DA15, BR7)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Surveys for landlords and agents in Eltham
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.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Common roof problems in Eltham
Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999. Cement roof sheets, soffits and flue pipes are typical places to find it. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys, but our report flags materials that could contain it so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before anything is disturbed.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
Landlords with a home close to Mottingham station may find that the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Before booking anyone
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Will the report include photos?
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
Nearby places to Eltham
Other services in Eltham
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. Where pegs have rotted, tiles can slip, so we look for gaps along the courses.
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and the South East have slate roofs. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
Eltham: your questions answered
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Eltham?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Eltham is about 2 miles from the edge of the flight restriction zone around London City Airport. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. Across London there are restriction zones around Heathrow, London City and London Heliport, plus restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Every London address is checked against them before a flight. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain.
Can parking be tricky for a visit in Eltham?
In much of London, parking needs planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available as you book.
What insurance do you have?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it is not a RICS home survey. It complements one rather than replacing it.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain doesn’t normally stop a survey. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes, you can. The report sets out what we found, with photos, so you can raise them with the seller or their agent. We cannot promise how the seller will respond.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime. Just say which days work for you.
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Roof area
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Booking your survey
There’s no need for technical words. It is enough to tell us:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The address and postcode of the property
- Anything about access we should know
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Eltham, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.
Local roofs and buyers in Eltham
Eltham is about 2 miles from the edge of the flight restriction zone around London City Airport. If your survey includes the drone, the exact boundary is checked for the address first. Outer London has a good many Victorian and Edwardian terraces with slate roofs, but also a great many interwar semis, frequently with hipped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. On a semi of that age, the small roofs over the bays, the hip tiles and any later dormer each need their own look. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
Eltham is in London, so parking needs planning: let us know about parking bays, permits or a driveway when booking, as a space near the door can’t be promised. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of Holy Trinity, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Eltham is about 7 miles west of Dartford, in Greater London. Eltham is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Eltham is one of the towns and villages in Greater London where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. London is in our area too.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in SE9, SE12, DA15 and BR7 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Streets in the area include Eltham High Street, Tarnwood Park and Elmslie Court, all of which we cover. Eltham is on the A20 and B263, which makes it straightforward to reach. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Middle Park (1 mile west), New Eltham (1 mile south-east), Well Hall (1 mile north), Coldharbour (1 mile south) and Avery Hill (1 mile north-east). Further out, we also cover London (8 miles north-west), City of Westminster (10 miles north-west), Marylebone (10 miles north-west), Kensington (12 miles west), St Pancras (9 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (8 miles north-west).
Landmarks near Eltham
Around Eltham, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Horn Park, Eltham Church of England Primary School and The Greyhound Public House, among other places. There is a railway station in Eltham itself: Mottingham station. Other landmarks nearby include Eltham Community Hospital (under half a mile north) and Metropolitan Police Museum (2.1 miles east). Open spaces near Eltham include The Tarn and Summer Hill.
What we do, step by step
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. In total, it takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. In converted houses and mansion blocks, the loft hatch is frequently on a shared landing. If that applies to your building, it’s useful to agree access with the neighbours or the managing agent first. Everything else is planned around the building, not the postcode.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Before the survey
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Let us know about parking near the property
How to book
We confirm the exact price before you book, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
Tips that help
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
With the findings in hand, you can talk to the seller or their 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.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly after autumn. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Get a professional in rather than climbing up yourself.