Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Iwade
Independent pre-purchase roof surveys in Iwade. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Iwade
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a careful look at it before you are committed. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and the roof space where it is safe to get in. You get a written report with photographs. We survey chimney stacks, gutters and downpipes and clay and concrete tiles, and people most often book us about lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone.
In a smaller place like Iwade, homes are mostly houses and bungalows, from older cottages to more recent builds. Older roofs may still have their original slates or clay tiles, with fixings and underlay that have done a long stint. For a purchase or a newly replaced roof, what’s under the coverings matters as much as what’s on top. Older roofs often have bitumen felt under the coverings, as breathable membranes only arrived in the late 1990s.
It isn’t only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Place
- Iwade (ME9)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a smaller place like Iwade, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- Access to the house and the roof space is agreed ahead of time.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
How to prepare
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Read more
Should I look at the roof myself first?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Iwade: your questions answered
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Iwade?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Is my home in Iwade listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Do you need access inside the house?
Ideally, yes. We look in the roof space where there’s safe access, and views from upper windows help too. Access is normally arranged through the agent or seller.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
That depends on how much you want to know about the roof. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that is where a roof survey helps. It isn’t a replacement for a RICS survey.
Do you cover Iwade?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, Iwade included.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Nearby places to Iwade
Other services in Iwade
Tips from our surveys
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Arrange the survey as soon as your offer is agreed
- Mention any deadline when you contact us
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
If you want quotes for the work, roofers can work from the report. They’ll see exactly what we found, and where, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
Different roofs, different checks
Gutters and parapets
Parapet and box gutters are hidden behind walls and can overflow inside. Where we can see them safely, we check the linings and outlets.
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead-lined valleys and gutters are common on older homes in London and the South East. Worn or cracked lead lets water straight into the roof, and missing lead is not unknown, as it’s a target for thieves.
What this survey can’t tell you
Every survey has limits, and it is better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- Whether timbers meet design loads
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
Buying a home or a new roof in Iwade
Iwade is within about 1 mile of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Metal fixings and flashings corrode faster in salt air, and loose ridges, slates and tiles are the first to lift in a gale. There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so check with the council.
The streets around a church such as Church of All Saints are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them. Landlords with a home close to Kemsley station may find that a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Iwade is about 2 miles north of Sittingbourne, in Kent. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Iwade for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Iwade is one of the places in Kent we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: ME9. Whether your property is on The Street, Sheerstone and Sheppey Way or a nearby road, we can help. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Howt Green (1 mile south), Kemsley (1 mile south-east), Milton Regis (2 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (2 miles south) and Murston (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (11 miles south-west), Whitstable (13 miles east), Faversham (8 miles south-east), Minster (4 miles north-east), Davington (8 miles south-east) and Foley Park (11 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Iwade
We work in homes and buildings around Westlands School, Milton Creek Country Park and The Woolpack pub. Iwade’s nearest station is Kemsley station, roughly 1 mile south. Other landmarks nearby include Castle Rough (1.5 miles south-east) and Court Hall Museum (1.8 miles south).
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.