Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Northend, Oxfordshire
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Northend and across Oxfordshire, with plain-English findings.
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Northend
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Slates slip when their nails corrode, lead valleys and flashings wear, and chimney pointing crumbles. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos so you can see it for yourself. We explain each finding in plain English, so it’s clear what it means for your purchase. We survey gutters and downpipes, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and lead flashings and valleys, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing.
In a village or hamlet like Northend, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you’re buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks, 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: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Where
- Northend (RG9)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Northend
Do you cover Northend?
Yes, Northend is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and South East England. You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
Is Northend within the area you cover?
Yes, Northend is covered. We survey roofs across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not typically stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, if the building owner or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys on any day of the week. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Do you need to go inside the property?
Where possible, yes. The loft tells us a lot about the roof, and upstairs windows give useful views. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
Will the roof report help me negotiate with the seller?
Yes. Buyers use the findings to ask questions, ask for repairs before completion or ask for a price change. The outcome is between you and the seller, so we can’t promise any saving.
Local roofs and buyers in Northend
With Stonor Park about 2.1 miles south, Northend sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Northend is about 8 miles north-west of Marlow, in Oxfordshire. We survey roofs in Northend and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Northend is one of the towns and villages in Oxfordshire where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Reading page.
Every address in RG9 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Christmas Common (1 mile west), Turville Heath (1 mile south-east), Ibstone (1 mile north-east), Stonor (2 miles south) and Howe Hill (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (15 miles north-west), Didcot (13 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (15 miles west), Thame (8 miles north), Henley-on-Thames (7 miles south) and Benson (7 miles west).
Landmarks near Northend
Open spaces near Northend include Bald Hill and Aston Rowant NNR.
What this survey cannot tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Good slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings, yet the nails that fix it often give out first. Slipped or missing slates are a sign of ‘nail fatigue’.
Clay and concrete tiles
Many post-war houses have concrete interlocking tiles. They wear slowly, but surfaces erode and edges crack.
What happens on the day
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. In a small place like Northend, access is usually the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Preparing for the visit
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Arrange a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or email us, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Read more
Can I check my roof myself?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
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.
Practical tips
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. If anything in the report is not clear, ask us.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Condensation in a roof space can look like a leak and can damage timbers over time. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
When to book a survey in Northend
Blocked or leaking gutters do damage that isn’t obvious at first. Overflowing water soaks walls and can rot the timber behind. Valley and parapet gutters can overflow inside the house. They’re part of what we look at.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
For any home in Northend, it’s the small, early fault that is cheapest to put right.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Will the report include photos?
- What the survey will not cover
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see