Kent · London and the South East
Leeds Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. Pre-purchase roof surveys in Leeds, with photos and a clear written report.
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
Leeds: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Leeds is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Leeds?
Yes, Leeds is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and the South East. Just call 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Can you survey in bad weather?
A survey can usually go ahead in light rain. Strong wind or a downpour can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so if conditions are not right we’ll arrange another day with you.
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.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS home survey. It works alongside a home survey.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes, you can. You’ll have photos and a written description of each defect, so you can raise them with the seller or their agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Leeds: what you get
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you’re tied in. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, plus the loft where there’s safe access. You get a report with photographs. If you’ve noticed a ridge or slope that dips and slipped or missing slates and tiles, we can find out what’s behind it.
Somewhere as small as Leeds, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. 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. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later.
- Place
- Leeds (ME17)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Natural slate
Good slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings, but the nails holding it corrode long before that. When slates start to slip, corroded nails are often the reason.
Flat roofs
Many homes have a flat roof somewhere, frequently over an extension. Felt roofs frequently last around 15 to 20 years, rubber longer and GRP up to about 30. We check how the covering is wearing.
Practical tips
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
- Share the report with your solicitor
It’s worth sharing the report with your solicitor so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions, particularly where we’ve found patch repairs.
Chimneys and flashings need watching. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. Binoculars from ground level are enough for a first look.
Nearby places to Leeds
Also in Leeds
What we are asked to look at in Leeds
Chimneys take the worst of the weather and they’re frequently the least maintained part of a roof. Mortar erodes, the flaunching around the pots cracks and the flashings work loose. A stack may be shared with the neighbours, which matters if work is needed.
Look out for signs like these:
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Old water stains in the loft space
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
For an older house near a landmark such as St Nicholas's Church, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Which limits apply to the survey
What we do, step by step
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a small place like Leeds, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- Access is arranged through you, the agent or the seller.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- We email a written report with photos and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
How to prepare
- Find any records of previous roof work
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
Arrange a survey
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
What a survey costs
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The roof’s overall size
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
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.
Helping us price your survey
There is no need for technical words. Just tell us:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- What’s prompted the survey
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Buying a home or a new roof in Leeds
Leeds Castle, about 1 mile east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Leeds. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
For landlords with property near Hollingbourne station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Leeds is about 4 miles east of Maidstone, in Kent. Surveys in Leeds work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. We cover towns and villages across Kent, large and small.
We work across the ME17 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Brogden Crescent, Forge Lane and Gloriette Avenue or a nearby road, we can help. If you are just outside Leeds, we cover Ashbank (1 mile north-east), Broomfield (1 mile east), Eyhorne Street (1 mile north-east), Chartway Street (2 miles south) and Kingswood (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (4 miles west), Ashford (13 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (9 miles north-east), Tonbridge (15 miles west), Faversham (13 miles east) and Minster (15 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Leeds
In Leeds, that means homes and buildings near The George Inn and the streets around them. The closest station to Leeds is Hollingbourne station, roughly 1.6 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Leeds Castle (1 mile east) and KIMS hospital (3.4 miles north-west). Not far away are Detling Hill.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Spotting it before you buy lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. Around Leeds, older homes often have old roof timbers, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it’s left.
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why book us in Leeds
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Photographs and a written report every time
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.