Greater London · London and the South East
Forestdale Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Get a clear view of the roof at a property in Forestdale. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Blocked or leaking gutters
For landlords and managing agents
Landlords, agents and building managers in Forestdale and across Greater London can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Landlords and letting agents in Forestdale book surveys as well as householders. A report with photographs gives you a clear record of the roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Forestdale
A full home survey looks at the whole property, and the roof is only one part of it. Our survey is not a RICS survey, and it doesn’t replace one. It adds a focused look at the roof on its own, with photos and written recommendations you can act on. The two sit side by side. We are frequently asked to look into blocked or leaking gutters and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, across clay and concrete tiles, the roof space and natural slate.
London terraces and converted houses often share a roof line, chimney stacks and gutters with the house next door. For a purchase or a new roof in Forestdale, that shapes what can be checked: we inspect what we’re given access to and can see safely, which may not include a neighbour’s side. For a flat, the lease typically says who looks after the roof.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Forestdale (CR0, CR2)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near Forestdale
More services for Forestdale
What happens on the day
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen. The survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In a London conversion, the way into the loft space is often from a communal landing or the top flat. If that applies to your building, it helps to agree access with the neighbours or the managing agent first. Everything else is planned around the building, not the postcode.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- 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.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Before we arrive
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Leave side gates unlocked
Arrange a survey
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
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Forestdale questions
Can parking be tricky for a visit in Forestdale?
It rarely stops a survey, but it is worth planning. Tell us what parking is available nearby, and the visit is planned around it.
Is my home in Forestdale listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
How soon is the report ready?
Premium reports arrive the same day, Standard reports within 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed with photos included.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes. You might ask for work to be done, ask questions or ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is normally fine; heavy rain and wind are different. Strong wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Forestdale?
To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Forestdale: local notes
The wider area around Forestdale has a long history of building, with Addington Palace about 0.9 miles north. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters. If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Take an older house close to St Francis: ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges. Landlords with a home close to Sanderstead station may find that a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. Parking in Forestdale, as in most of London, takes a little planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day easier, as a space near the door cannot be promised.
Forestdale is about 3 miles south-east of Croydon, in Greater London. From houses to flats and shops in Forestdale, we can survey the roof. Our Greater London coverage includes Forestdale. London is in our area too.
All of CR0 and CR2 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. Streets in the area include Courtwood Lane, Goldfinch Road and Bardolph Avenue, all of which we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Selsdon (1 mile west), New Addington (1 mile east), Addington (1 mile north), Farleigh (1 mile south) and Fickleshole (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover London (11 miles north), City of Westminster (13 miles north-west), Marylebone (13 miles north), Kensington (13 miles north-west), St Pancras (13 miles north) and Shoreditch (13 miles north).
Near you in Forestdale
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to John Ruskin College and Addington Park, among other places. The closest station to Forestdale is Sanderstead station, about 2.4 miles west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Warlingham Park Hospital (1.9 miles south) and Croydon Airport Visitor Centre (3.5 miles west). Open spaces near Forestdale include Nore Hill and Hutchinson's Bank.
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roofs
Flat roofs on extensions, dormers and garages are easy to forget about. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, rubber longer and GRP up to about 30. We look for signs of age and failure.
Natural slate
On a slate roof, the underlay may be old bitumen felt, or there may be none at all on very old roofs. From inside the roof space, we report what we can see of it.
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
We confirm the exact price before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What we need to know
A few details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
We survey roofs seven days a week. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
Your report arrives by email, with photographs of what we found. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Each defect is explained in plain words, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
After strong winds, look at the roof from ground level. Pieces of slate or tile in the garden mean something has moved. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.
When you need someone else
A survey is a close look at the roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that’s a RICS home survey)
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys