Kent · London and the South East
Luddesdown Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Luddesdown, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photos.
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Old water stains in the loft space
Pre-purchase roof survey in Luddesdown: what you get
Tall, steep or hidden roofs are hard to judge from the street. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, plus a drone inspection where it applies, along with a same-day report. Where a flight is not possible, because of airspace rules or the weather, we tell you and look from the ground, windows and the loft instead. Typical surveys look at sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes and blocked or leaking gutters, across natural slate, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and gutters and downpipes.
Somewhere as small as Luddesdown, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Luddesdown (DA13)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
Every survey has limits, and it is better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
We confirm the price for your survey before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and which survey you book.
Helping us price your survey
We’ll typically ask about:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- When you need the report by
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Luddesdown
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. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Historic houses such as Cobham College, about 1.2 miles north, show how far back building around Luddesdown goes. Older homes in the area can come with listed status or conservation area rules, which affect re-roofing, so check with the council before you buy. Take an older house close to Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul: ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Luddesdown is about 4 miles south of Gravesend, in Kent. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Luddesdown and the surrounding area. Luddesdown is one of the places in Kent where we work. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
Here we cover the DA13 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. We also cover Henley Street (1 mile north), Gold Street (1 mile north-west), Foxendown (1 mile west), Sole Street (1 mile north-west) and Round Street (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Maidstone (9 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (15 miles east), Dartford (9 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (11 miles south-west), Gravesend (4 miles north) and Tonbridge (13 miles south-west).
Near you in Luddesdown
In Luddesdown, that means homes and buildings near The Golden Lion pub and Camer Park Country Park, among other places. The closest station to Luddesdown is Sole Street station, about 1.2 miles north-west. Nearby you will also find French Hospital (4.7 miles east) and Rochester Castle (4.6 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Ranscombe Farm and Gad's Hill.
FAQs for Luddesdown
How do I find out if my home in Luddesdown 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.
Will you come out to Luddesdown?
Yes, Luddesdown is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
What’s the best way to book?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or email us. Give us the address and some details about the roof, and we will point you to the right survey. We survey seven days a week.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey seven days a week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Just tell us the days that suit you.
How long does the survey visit take?
On site, it usually 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. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
When will the report arrive?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed, with photographs.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Luddesdown
Blocked or leaking gutters do damage that isn’t obvious at first. Water spilling over a gutter soaks brickwork and can rot fascias and rafter ends. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. They’re part of what we look at.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
If you let a flat or house near Sole Street station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
What to check before booking
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs
Standing water, blisters, splits and tired upstands all point to wear. We check outlets too, since a blocked one leaves water sitting on the roof.
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings close the gaps at chimneys, walls and abutments. We look for lead that has lifted, split or been patched over.
What happens on the day
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit usually takes an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Rural addresses near Luddesdown can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets in another room
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
How to book
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.