Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Horley, Oxfordshire
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Horley, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Old water stains in the loft space
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Horley
Older homes frequently have roofs that have been patched over the years. Slates slip when their nails corrode, lead valleys and flashings wear, and chimney pointing crumbles. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. We look closely and record what we see, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so it is clear what it means for your purchase. If you’ve noticed sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes and chimney mortar that has eroded, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a village or hamlet like Horley, 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. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid, 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 report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters, with a note and a photo for each point. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Place
- Horley (OX15)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Surveys for landlords and agents in Horley
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Letting agents and landlords in Horley book surveys as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof, useful for planning maintenance.
How it works
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the roof space if there is safe access. All told, expect about one to two hours for a house, and more on a big or complicated roof. Around Horley, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from the ground and from vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- You get a report with photographs and recommendations before you exchange.
Before we arrive
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or send us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Checking the roof from ground level
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
When you need someone else
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
When to book a survey in Horley
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 can pick up problems such as:
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
If you let a flat or house near Banbury station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Will the report include photos?
- What happens after the report arrives
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Local roofs and buyers in Horley
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. West Oxfordshire’s older buildings often carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Ethelreda, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs frequently have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges. Upton House, about 3.2 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Horley. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Horley is about 3 miles north-west of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Horley. Horley is one of the towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover. You can also see our page for Oxford.
Surveys in OX15 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Manor Orchard and Little Lane or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Wroxton (1 mile south), Drayton (2 miles south-east), Neithrop (3 miles south-east) and Ruscote (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Banbury (3 miles south-east), Chipping Norton (12 miles south-west), Grimsbury (4 miles south-east), Bloxham (5 miles south), Bodicote (5 miles south-east) and Upper Heyford (13 miles south-east).
What’s near Horley
Around Horley, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Red Lion pub. Horley’s nearest station is Banbury station, roughly 3.5 miles south-east. A little further out are Horton General Hospital (3.6 miles south-east) and Castle Quay Shopping Centre (3.2 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Crouch Hill.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A seller may honestly not know the state of the roof. Their answers on the property forms only cover what they know about. Our survey shows you the roof as it is today, whatever anyone remembers. For an older or listed building in a place like Horley, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
One thing that affects the price is 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.
Why book with us
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
What else we do in Horley
Horley questions
How do I find out if my home in Horley is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Will you come out to Horley?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. We survey the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It works alongside a home survey.
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, so we’d move the date with you.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
Will you need to get into the loft?
If it can be arranged, yes. From the roof space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That way you can still act on what we find.