Windsor and Maidenhead · London and the South East
Eton Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Eton, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Pre-purchase roof survey in Eton
Buying a flat brings its own roof questions. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company, with costs frequently passed on through the service charge. We look at as much of the roof as access safely allows, and the report helps you ask your solicitor or the managing agent the right questions. Where the building has a flat roof, it is checked as far as access allows. If you are worried about ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof and signs of past leaks inside the loft, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Being in a small place like Eton makes no difference to the inspection itself: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed in advance. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you are buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Location
- Eton (SL4)
- Wider area
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Local roofs and buyers in Eton
Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. The covering on a house you’re buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest. Windsor Castle, about 0.7 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Eton. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
If you live in an older home near Church of Saint John the Evangelist, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Eton is about 1 mile north-east of Windsor, in Windsor and Maidenhead. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Eton and the surrounding area. Our area takes in places right across Windsor and Maidenhead, large and small. You can also see our page for Reading.
We cover every part of SL4 for pre-purchase roof surveys. Whether your property is on High Street, Eton Square and Common Lane or a nearby road, we can help. Eton is on the A332 and B3022, so it’s easy for us to get to. Other places close to Eton include Clewer (1 mile south-west), Eton Wick (1 mile west), Windsor (1 mile south-west), Boveney (2 miles west) and Dedworth (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns like Maidenhead (6 miles west), Boyn Hill (6 miles west), North Ascot (6 miles south-west), Cookham (7 miles north-west), Furze Platt (6 miles north-west) and Broomhall (7 miles south).
Around Eton
Around Eton, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Goswells, St George's School and Christopher Hotel, among other places. The nearest railway station is Windsor & Eton Riverside station, about 0.5 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Museum of Eton Life (less than half a mile south) and Windsor Castle (0.7 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Taplow Lake and Bray Pit.
The survey, step by step
There isn’t 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. A typical survey takes an hour or two at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. In a small place like Eton, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Before we arrive
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Let us know where we can park nearby
Arrange a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Useful tips for Eton property owners
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
- Check we will be able to get into the roof space
- Request records of any re-roofing
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. They’ll see exactly what we found, and where, which makes quotes easier to compare.
After strong winds, look at the roof from the ground. Pieces of slate or tile in the garden mean something has moved. Dealing with them early keeps water out.
Questions from Eton
How do I find out if my home in Eton is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you cover smaller places like Eton?
Yes, Eton is covered. We work right across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
On site, it typically takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Just let us know the days that suit you.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if whoever owns or manages the building agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes. The report sets out what we found, with photos, so you can raise them with the seller or their agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That way you can still act on what we find.
DIY checks: what’s safe
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book and it will help the survey.
When to book a survey in Eton
Many roofs have had quick fixes over the years. Bitumen over flashings, mortar fillets in place of lead and odd replacement tiles can be signs that something has leaked before. We note what we see so you can ask about it.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
For landlords with property near Windsor & Eton Riverside station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Before booking anyone
- What insurance they carry
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- What experience they bring
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Eton
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The size of the roof
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
What we need to know
Before you get in touch, it’s useful to have:
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Anything about access we should know
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
When you need someone else
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks