Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Lunsford
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Lunsford. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Pre-purchase roof survey in Lunsford
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. Each finding is explained in plain words, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. If you’ve noticed gaps where slates or tiles have come loose and sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Smaller places like Lunsford often have bungalows and cottages as well as houses, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. That applies whether you’re buying in Lunsford or checking a new roof there. Lead around a dormer and the edges of a flat roof are common places for snags and wear alike.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Location
- Lunsford (ME20)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Lunsford
The fixings and underlay frequently fail before good slates or tiles do. Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but corroded nails let slates slip. That kind of wear is common on older roofs and easy to miss from the ground.
Look out for signs like these:
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
Historic houses such as Starkey Castle, about 3.8 miles north, show how far back building around Lunsford goes. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Before you book anyone
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Whether you get a written report with photos
What we can’t see
It’s a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Lunsford
Will you come out to Lunsford?
Yes, Lunsford is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Lunsford?
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, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It depends on the weather and the survey. High wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. You need the report before you exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Only where it’s safe to do so. We inspect from ground level, from windows and vantage points, from the loft and from the roof itself where safe. On Premium, a drone is used where it applies.
How soon is the report ready?
That depends on which survey you choose: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Let us know your exchange date and we’ll help you choose.
What a survey costs
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Basic, Standard or Premium
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What to tell us when you get in touch
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. It is enough to tell us:
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- The property’s address and postcode
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Lunsford: local notes
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. 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 you let a flat or house near New Hythe station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full. For an older house near a landmark like Church of the Holy Trinity, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Lunsford is about 5 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. We survey roofs in Lunsford and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Kent.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in ME20 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Sassoon Close, Chaucer Way and Masefield Road. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include New Hythe (1 mile east), Larkfield (1 mile south), Leybourne (1 mile south-west), Snodland (1 mile north) and Birling (1 mile west). We also work in nearby towns such as Maidstone (5 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (13 miles east), Dartford (13 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (11 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles south-west) and Gravesend (9 miles north).
Landmarks near Lunsford
We work in homes and buildings around Leybourne Lakes Country Park, The Malling School and The Holmesdale School and the streets around them. The closest station to Lunsford is New Hythe station, about 0.7 miles east. Other landmarks nearby include Maidstone Hospital (3.2 miles south-east) and Leybourne Castle (0.9 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Blue Bell Hill and Burham Down.
Tips from our surveys
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Ask the agent to make sure the loft hatch can be opened
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
Your report arrives by email, with photographs of what we found. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Each defect is explained in plain words, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Every so often, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
How the survey works
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Lunsford, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know 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 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
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Tell us about parking before the day
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
Read more
What happens if roof problems are left?
Without a survey, you’re relying on a glance from the pavement. That won’t show slipped slates on the rear slope, a worn valley or cracked flaunching. We fill that gap before you’re tied in, with photos of anything that needs attention. In a smaller place like Lunsford, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing does not stay loose for long. Each storm lifts it a little further, and water follows.
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. You will know the figure before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Lunsford
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Visits on any day of the week
- An independent look at the roof
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.