Buckinghamshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Marlow and across Buckinghamshire.
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Landlords, agents and block managers in Marlow
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 with less disruption.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Marlow
With a written roof report, you can go back to the seller or agent with specifics. You might ask about past repairs, ask for work to be done before completion or think again about your offer. We cannot say how a seller will respond, but you’ll be negotiating from a clear picture rather than a hunch. It can also help you decide whether the purchase is still right for you. If you’re worried about loose pots and cracked flaunching and a ridge or slope that dips, we can find out what’s behind it.
Most homes in a town like Marlow are houses, so the roof usually belongs to the property you are buying or paying for. That makes the roof’s condition a simple money question: it is better to know about it before exchange or before the final payment than afterwards. A photo-illustrated written report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or the roofer.
After the visit, you get a report with photographs, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- Marlow (SL7)
- Region
- Buckinghamshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. For a visit in Marlow, we need access to the loft, any rooms with leaks or stains, and the outside of the building. Mention gates, side passages and anything at the back. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- We inspect the roof from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
How to prepare
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
Arrange a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
Local roofs and buyers in Marlow
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. A number of Buckinghamshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
For landlords with property near Marlow station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. With Harleyford Manor about 2 miles south-west, the area around Marlow has a long history. 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.
Marlow is about 4 miles south of High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire. We survey roofs in Marlow and the rest of Buckinghamshire. Our area takes in places right across Buckinghamshire, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Reading page.
Surveys in SL7 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include Station Road, High Street and Willowmead Square, all of which we cover. Marlow sits on or near the A404 and B482, so getting to you is simple. Other places close to Marlow include Bisham (1 mile south), Marlow Bottom (1 mile north), Burroughs Grove (1 mile north), Temple (2 miles south) and Little Marlow (2 miles north-east). We also work in nearby towns like High Wycombe (4 miles north), Chesham (12 miles north-east), Amersham (10 miles north-east), Beaconsfield (6 miles north-east), Chalfont St Peter (10 miles east) and Princes Risborough (11 miles north). Marlow is one of the larger places we cover in Buckinghamshire.
Local landmarks in Marlow
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Butcher's Tap and Sir William Borlase's Grammar School, among other places. Marlow has its own railway station: Marlow station. Well-known places in the area include Eden (4 miles north) and High Wycombe Castle (4.1 miles north). The countryside around Marlow includes Carpenter's Wood.
Common questions in Marlow
Do you carry out roof surveys in Marlow?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and Marlow is part of that. You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Marlow is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions are not right, we’ll talk to you about another date.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. Buyers use the findings to ask questions, ask for repairs before completion or ask for a price change. What the seller agrees to is their decision.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Marlow?
Simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day.
Does someone need to be in?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access; we will agree the details when you book.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
That depends on how much you want to know about the roof. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that’s where a roof survey helps. It doesn’t stand in for a RICS survey.
What we are asked to look at in Marlow
Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999. It is frequently found in cement sheets, soffits and flue pipes. We do not test for it or carry out asbestos surveys, but we flag materials that might so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before anything is disturbed.
Signs worth acting on include:
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Blocked or leaking gutters
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Congregational Church, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Their report turnaround times
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
Why get it checked now?
Leaving it means judging the roof from the street. 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. Around Marlow, water from a roof defect often goes unseen for a while, soaking loft insulation, wall tops and timbers. By the time a stain appears on a ceiling, there’s more to put right.
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
Why book us in Marlow
- 98% customer satisfaction
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Other services in Marlow
DIY checks: what’s safe
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.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs
Ponding, blistering, splits and worn upstands are the usual warning signs. Blocked outlets are checked as well, and we say what we see from wherever is safe.
Gutters and parapets
The rainwater system keeps water off the walls. Leaking joints, sagging lengths and blockages are all noted.