Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Enslow Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Enslow from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Pre-purchase roof survey in Enslow: what you get
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you’re tied in. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, and the loft space where it’s safe to get in. The findings come in a written report with photos. We’re often asked to look into standing water on a flat extension roof and gutters choked with leaves and moss, across chimney stacks, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and lead flashings and valleys.
In a village or hamlet like Enslow, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you’re buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Enslow (OX5)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Enslow
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.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Flashings that have lifted or split
If you let a flat or house near Tackley station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Before you book anyone
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Their track record with similar roofs
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Older slate roofs often have bitumen felt under them, and very old ones may have none. Where we can see it from the loft, we say what condition it’s in.
Chimney stacks
A stack stands exposed above the roof line. We check the pots, the flaunching, the pointing and the flashings, as far as we can see them safely.
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Enslow
Oxford Airport is about 2 miles from Enslow. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. West Oxfordshire’s older buildings frequently carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Whether you are buying or checking new roofing work, knowing the materials helps make sense of what the inspection finds.
Take an older house close to Church of Holy Cross: the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are. Blenheim Palace lies about 3 miles south-west, so building around Enslow goes back a long way. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area.
Enslow is about 7 miles south-west of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. In Enslow, as across Oxfordshire, every roof gets the same careful survey. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Oxford page.
Surveys in OX5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We cover properties on Station Road, Lince Lane and Ingleby Paddocks and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Bletchingdon (1 mile east), Kirtlington (1 mile north-east), Hampton Poyle (2 miles south-east), Kidlington (3 miles south) and Weston-on-the-Green (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (8 miles south), Banbury (14 miles north), Bicester (7 miles north-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles south), Witney (10 miles south-west) and Carterton (14 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Enslow
We work in homes and buildings around The Marlborough Church of England School and Rock Of Gibraltar Public House, among other places. Enslow’s nearest station is Tackley station, roughly 1.5 miles north. Nearby you’ll also find Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (2.6 miles west). Not far away are Woodsides Meadow.
Checking the roof from the ground
A DIY look is useful, 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.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the addresses.
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 around your tenants.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. We’ll give you the figure before anything is booked.
Getting in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- The property’s address and postcode
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we’ll point you to the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Enslow: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Enslow is listed?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you cover smaller places like Enslow?
Yes, Enslow is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
How many surveys have you done?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, and 98% of clients are satisfied.
Do I need to be at home?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. 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.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Enslow?
Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.
How soon is the report ready?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed, with photos.
How the survey works
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, inspect the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and make notes for the report. Most visits take about one to two hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Somewhere like Enslow needs a little journey planning: let us know about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- 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 inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Keep pets in another room
How to book
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Enslow, call 07833 053749 or email us. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.