Kent · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Grove, Kent
We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Grove and the rest of Kent. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Grove
If you’re buying a flat, the roof may well be shared. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company. We check 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. We survey chimney stacks, natural slate and gutters and downpipes, and people most often book us about a ridge or slope that dips and standing water on a flat extension roof.
In a village or hamlet like Grove, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
Where we cannot see part of the roof, the report says so. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Location
- Grove (CT3)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Grove
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- The size of the roof
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
What to let us know when you get in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- The property’s address and postcode
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- The kind of building and roof involved
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we will ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
More services for Grove
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where it applies. Most surveys take about one to two hours at a typical home; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Somewhere as small as Grove, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- 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.
How to prepare
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Keep pets in another room
Booking a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
Local roofs and buyers in Grove
The coast is about 5 miles or less from Grove, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Corroded clips and nails and lifted ridge pieces are typical of exposed roofs near the sea, so exposed details get a proper look whether you are buying or signing off new work. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Historic houses like Goodnestone Park, about 4.7 miles south, show how far back building around Grove goes. If you’re buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing. Landlords with a home close to Sturry station may find that a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. Take an older house close to Church of St Mildred: a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Grove is about 5 miles south-east of Herne Bay, in Kent. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Grove and nearby. We cover towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
We cover every part of CT3 for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. We also cover the places around Grove: Preston (1 mile south-east), Upstreet (1 mile north), West Stourmouth (1 mile north-east), East Stourmouth (2 miles east) and Sarre (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Canterbury (6 miles west), Margate (9 miles north-east), Dover (13 miles south), Ramsgate (9 miles east), Broadstairs (10 miles east) and Whitstable (8 miles west).
Near you in Grove
We work in homes and buildings around The Grove Ferry Inn and Grove Ferry Picnic Area and the streets around them. The closest station to Grove is Sturry station, roughly 3.8 miles west of the centre. A little further out are St Martins Hospital (4.9 miles south-west).
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. We’ll say if the flue needs a specialist.
Natural slate
Slate is common on Victorian and Edwardian houses. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
Questions from Grove
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Grove?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
How do I find out if my home in Grove is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years, across London and South East England.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that ahead of time, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
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.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Just tell us the days that suit you.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
What we can’t see
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- 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 recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Grove
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
Useful tips for Grove property owners
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Arrange the survey as soon as your offer is agreed
- Share the report with your solicitor
With the findings in hand, you can talk to the seller or their agent. Some buyers ask for repairs before completion, others ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller, and we can’t promise any result.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.