Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Letcombe Bassett
A careful look at the roof at your property in Letcombe Bassett, and put it all in a written report with photographs.
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs
Many homes have a flat roof somewhere, frequently over an extension. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, rubber longer and GRP up to about 30. We check how the covering is wearing.
Natural slate
Slate is common on Victorian and Edwardian houses. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Letcombe Bassett: what you get
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where applicable and an in-person consultation. Pick the one that fits the property. Every package comes with a written report, photos and recommendations. We survey natural slate, the roof space and gutters and downpipes, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and a ridge or slope that dips.
Some older homes in villages like Letcombe Bassett are listed or sit in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it is worth knowing which applies, as well as what condition the roof is in. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
The report doesn’t just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Place
- Letcombe Bassett (OX12)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, with VAT included. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Which survey package you book
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
What we need to know
There’s no need for technical words. It’s enough to tell us:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Anything about access we should know
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Letcombe Bassett?
Most viewings never get near the roof. You see the rooms, not the slates, and a quick glance from the street misses a lot. New paint on a ceiling can hide old water stains, so a closer look is worth having before you commit.
We’re frequently asked to look at:
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
For any home in Letcombe Bassett, it is the small, early fault that is cheapest to put right.
What to check before booking
- What experience they bring
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Their insurance cover
FAQs for Letcombe Bassett
How do I find out if my home in Letcombe Bassett 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.
Is Letcombe Bassett within the area you cover?
Yes. Letcombe Bassett is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if the building owner or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach.
How quickly will I get the report?
That depends on which survey you choose: within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Let us know your timetable as you book.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access isn’t possible, we note it in the report.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
It’s your choice, but the two do different jobs. A home survey looks at the whole property, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Our survey complements a RICS survey and doesn’t replace one.
For landlords and managing agents
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Tell us about it when you book and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
When you need someone else
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
Also near Letcombe Bassett
Other services in Letcombe Bassett
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Letcombe Bassett
There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. If your home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission, so check with the council. West Oxfordshire’s older buildings frequently carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near Church of St Michael, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Letcombe Bassett is about 3 miles south-west of Wantage, in Oxfordshire. Letcombe Bassett is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Across Oxfordshire, we cover Letcombe Bassett. For surveys nearby, see our Oxford page.
We cover every part of the OX12 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Gramp's Hill, Forsters Lane and Bassett Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover Letcombe Regis (1 mile north-east), Childrey (2 miles north-west), East Challow (2 miles north), West Challow (2 miles north) and Wantage (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Didcot (10 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (11 miles north-east), Carterton (15 miles north), Grove (3 miles north-east), Faringdon (8 miles north-west) and Wallingford (14 miles east).
Local landmarks in Letcombe Bassett
Open spaces near Letcombe Bassett include Chain Hill and Letcombe Valley.
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Letcombe Bassett, 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.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Before the survey
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Arrange a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.