Surrey · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Merle Common, Surrey
Need a pre-purchase roof survey in Merle Common? We can help, with a written report you can act on. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
Honest limits
It is a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. Its limits include:
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
Pre-purchase roof survey in Merle Common
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. If airspace rules or the weather rule out a flight, we will say so and look from the ground, windows and the loft instead. Typical surveys look at standing water on a flat extension roof and patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem, on lead flashings and valleys, natural slate and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
Being in a small place like Merle Common makes no difference to the inspection itself: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed in advance. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at as you book. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Merle Common (RH8)
- Wider area
- Surrey
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Merle Common
More services for Merle Common
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Merle Common
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls are typical of Surrey’s older houses. Some old buildings in Surrey and Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Historic houses like Chartwell, about 3.3 miles north-east, show how far back building around Merle Common goes. If you’re buying an older home nearby, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing. For landlords with property near Hurst Green station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Merle Common is about 6 miles south-east of Caterham, in Surrey. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Merle Common. Our area takes in places right across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
Here we cover the RH8 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. We also cover Crowhurst (1 mile south-west), Troy Town (2 miles south-east), Hurst Green (2 miles north-west), Pains-Hill (2 miles north) and Crowhurst Lane End (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Epsom (14 miles north-west), Horley (8 miles west), Redhill (8 miles west), Ewell (15 miles north-west), Reigate (9 miles west) and Caterham (6 miles north-west).
Around Merle Common
In Merle Common, that means homes and buildings near Oxted School, among other places. The closest station to Merle Common is Hurst Green station, about 1.4 miles north of the centre. A little further out are Tandridge Priory (2.1 miles north) and Haxted Watermill Museum (2.5 miles south). For a walk, there is Botley Hill and Bay Pond.
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.
Gutters and parapets
Parapet and box gutters are hidden behind walls and can overflow inside. Where we can see them safely, we check the linings and outlets.
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Height and safe access
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
For a price for your roof in Merle Common, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What to let us know when you get in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email to find out.
How the survey works
Before we start, tell us 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 normally takes an hour or two at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Rural addresses near Merle Common can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from ground level and from vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a written report with photographs and recommendations before you exchange.
How to prepare
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
What you can safely check yourself
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That is where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer.
Common questions in Merle Common
Is Merle Common within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Merle Common is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes. You will have photos and a written description of each defect, so you can raise them with the seller or their agent. We cannot promise how the seller will respond.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing are not part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
When will the report arrive?
Premium reports arrive the same day, Standard reports within 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed with photos included.