Greater London · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Keston
Pre-purchase roof surveys across Keston, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- A ridge or slope that dips
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Keston
A full home survey looks at the whole property, so the roof is one item among many. We do not offer a RICS home survey, and ours isn’t a substitute for 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’re often asked to look into bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and a ridge or slope that dips, on clay and concrete tiles, gutters and downpipes and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
Homes across London range from Victorian and Edwardian terraces to interwar semis, post-war blocks and new developments, and a home in Keston could be any of them. Whether the roof is old or newly laid, the problem areas depend on how and when the building went up. Slate roofs, butterfly valleys, parapet gutters and flat-roofed rear additions each have their own weak points.
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
- Keston (BR2)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Keston
Keston is about 2 miles from Biggin Hill Airport. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Historic houses such as Down House, about 2.2 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Keston goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Parking in Keston, as in most of London, takes a little planning: let us know about permits, visitor bays or off-street space when you book. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Keston Parish Church, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Keston is about 3 miles south of Bromley, in Greater London. Roofs in Keston get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Greater London. Our Greater London coverage includes Keston. There is also a page for London.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: BR2. Streets in the area include Church Road, Greys Park Close and Heathfield Road, and we cover them all. Other places close to Keston include Nash (1 mile west), Farthing Street (1 mile south-east), Locksbottom (1 mile north-east), Leaves Green (2 miles south) and Hayes (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as London (11 miles north-west), City of Westminster (13 miles north-west), Marylebone (13 miles north-west), Kensington (14 miles north-west), St Pancras (13 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (12 miles north).
Around Keston
Around Keston, our work takes us to homes and buildings near South Park, Ravens Wood School and The Greyhound pub and the streets around them. Keston’s nearest station is Hayes (Kent) station, about 1.5 miles north-west of the centre. A little further out are Princess Royal University Hospital (1.1 miles east) and Bethlem Museum of the Mind (1.5 miles north). Open spaces near Keston include West Kent Golf Course nature reserve and Summer Hill.
What we can’t see
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- Whether timbers meet design loads
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
Landlord and commercial surveys in Keston
Landlords, agents and building managers in Keston and across Greater London can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters, which helps when budgeting.
Towns and villages near Keston
More services for Keston
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take between one and two hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so the back of the roof is frequently seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when you book.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
Booking a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If a flue needs testing, we’ll suggest who to ask.
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.
Common questions in Keston
How do I find out if my home in Keston is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is drone flying allowed in Keston?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Keston is about 2 miles from Biggin Hill Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. London’s airspace includes flight restriction zones around Heathrow, London City Airport and London Heliport, and restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Every London address is checked against them before a flight. Strong wind or a downpour also stops a small drone flying, and the rest of the survey doesn’t depend on the drone.
How do I book a survey in Keston?
The quickest way is to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we’ll take it from there. Surveys run on any day of the week.
Does the weather affect the survey?
A survey can usually go ahead in light rain. Strong wind or a downpour can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
It typically takes between one and two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
How quickly will I get the report?
That depends on which survey you choose: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Tell us your exchange date and we will help you choose.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
What we’re asked to look at in Keston
Chimneys take the worst of the weather and they’re frequently the least maintained part of a roof. Pointing crumbles, flaunching cracks and flashings lift. A stack may be shared with the neighbours, which matters if work is needed.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- A ridge or slope that dips
For landlords with property near Hayes (Kent) station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Questions to ask before booking
- Will the report include photos?
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Their insurance cover
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs