Kent · London and the South East
Kemsing Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Kemsing and the rest of Kent. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
Pre-purchase roof survey in Kemsing: what you get
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you are tied in. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and the roof space where it’s safe to get in. You get a written report with photos. If you’re worried about slipped or missing slates and tiles and signs of past leaks inside the loft, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
In a smaller place like Kemsing, 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. Whether you are buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Breathable membranes only appeared in the late 1990s, so older roofs often have bitumen felt or nothing at all.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Location
- Kemsing (TN15)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Can I check my roof myself?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Places near Kemsing
What else we do in Kemsing
Kemsing homes and their roofs
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. The covering on a house you are buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges. With Knole House about 2.8 miles south, the area around Kemsing has a long history. If you are buying an older home nearby, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Kemsing is about 2 miles north-east of Sevenoaks, in Kent. Surveys in Kemsing work the same way as everywhere we cover: a close look at everything that’s safely in view, photographs and a clear written report. Our area takes in places right across Kent, large and small. Maidstone is in our area too.
Surveys in TN15 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include High Street, Copperfields Walk and Childsbridge Lane, and we cover them all. If you are just outside Kemsing, we cover Cotman's Ash (1 mile north-east), Heaverham (2 miles east), Woodlands (2 miles north-east), Romney Street (2 miles north) and Knatts Valley (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (14 miles east), Dartford (9 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (12 miles south), Gravesend (11 miles north-east), Tonbridge (8 miles south) and Northfleet (10 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Kemsing
Typical jobs here are in homes near St Michael's Preparatory School, Knole Academy and Kemsing Down, among other places. The closest station to Kemsing is Otford station, about 1 mile north-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Kemsing Castle Bank (0.5 miles east) and Otford Heritage Centre (1 mile west). Not far away are Dryhill Nature Reserve.
Useful tips for Kemsing property owners
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Let us know your exchange date when booking
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Do not leave it until just before exchange
Your report arrives by email, with photos of what we found. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Findings are set out in plain English, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
After you move in, have leaves and moss cleared from gutters and valleys, particularly after autumn. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Kemsing
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- How big the roof is
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
What we need to know
A little information up front helps. It is useful to include:
- Anything about access we should know
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- What’s prompted the survey
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roofs
Many homes have a flat roof somewhere, often over an extension. Felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We check how the covering is wearing.
Gutters and parapets
Gutters, downpipes and outlets carry water away from walls. Leaking joints, sagging lengths and blockages are all noted, along with fascias and soffits.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Kemsing
Is Kemsing in the area you cover?
Yes, Kemsing is within the area we cover. We work right across London and the South East. You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details.
Is my home in Kemsing listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Does someone need to be in?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access, while outside access can be discussed when booking.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That gives you time to use the findings.
Do I need a roof survey if I’m having a RICS survey?
That depends on how much you want to know about the roof. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and our survey gives you that closer look. It isn’t a replacement for a RICS survey.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It isn’t a RICS survey and does not cover the rest of the house.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you when booking.
How the survey works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. For a survey in Kemsing, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. Weekday and weekend visits are both possible. Let us know about any garages, outbuildings or extensions you want included.
- 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.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a written report with photographs and recommendations before you exchange.
How to prepare
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Booking a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine. To get started, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
What we are asked to look at in Kemsing
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.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
Landlords with a home close to Otford station may find that a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
What to check before booking
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Will the report include photos?
- When you will get the report