Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Marden
Pre-purchase roof surveys across Marden, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
Leaning stacks, loose pots and eroded mortar are common findings. We photograph them so you can raise them before exchange.
Gutters and parapets
A butterfly roof drains to a central valley gutter, usually to the back of the house. If the home you’re buying has one, that gutter and its outlet get a careful look.
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Marden
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. 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 is safe access. The findings come in a written report with photos. We’re frequently asked to look into loose pots and cracked flaunching and sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes, across lead flashings and valleys, clay and concrete tiles and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Marden, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Low roofs are easier to see from ground level, but dormer cheeks, valleys and flat-roofed additions still need close attention. That applies whether you are buying in Marden or checking a new roof there. Snags and wear both tend to show at dormer lead work and along flat-roof edges.
We write the report in plain English, so you don’t need to be a roofer to follow it. Each point is backed by a photo where possible, and recommendations are put with the most urgent first where relevant.
- Location
- Marden (TN12)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
If the report shows work is needed, you can raise it with the seller or agent. Some buyers ask for repairs before completion, others ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller, and we can’t promise any result.
Keep the loft ventilated. Condensation in a roof space can look like a leak and can damage timbers over time. Avoid packing insulation into the eaves so tightly that air cannot flow.
What you can safely check yourself
A lot can be seen from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Common roof problems in Marden
A chimney stack stands out in the wind and rain. Mortar erodes, the flaunching around the pots cracks and the flashings work loose. A stack may be shared with the neighbours, which can affect how any work is arranged.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
For landlords with property near Marden station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What the survey will not cover
How it works
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit 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. In a smaller place like Marden, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part: drone flights and thermal imaging need the right conditions, while a look from the ground and the loft can go ahead in most weather.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- The roof is inspected from each safe vantage point, inside and out.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- We email a report with photos and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Before the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Marden questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Marden?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Marden is part of that. You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details.
Is Marden within the area you cover?
Yes, Marden is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Tell us which days suit you when you book.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years, across London and South East England.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can typically go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions are not right we’ll arrange another day with you.
For landlords and managing agents
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, with the most urgent items set out first.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Marden: local notes
Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
For an older house near a landmark like St Michael and All Angels Church, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Marden is about 7 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. If you are in Marden, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
Surveys in TN12 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on High Street, The Old Market and Rookery Court. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Marden Beech (1 mile south-west), Claygate (2 miles west), Pearson's Green (3 miles west), Brandfold (3 miles south-west) and Capel Cross (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (7 miles north), Sevenoaks (15 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (10 miles west), Tonbridge (9 miles west), Kings Hill (8 miles north-west) and Foley Park (8 miles north).
Landmarks near Marden
Marden has its own railway station: Marden station. Nearby you will also find South East Romany Museum (0.9 miles east).