Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Orlestone
We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Orlestone and the rest of Kent. Surveys run seven days a week.
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Old water stains in the roof space
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Orlestone
Buyers in Orlestone and right across London and South East England use our pre-purchase roof survey. From terraced and semi-detached homes to detached houses and flats, we follow the same careful process. The report says what’s in good order, what isn’t and what to deal with first. We’re insured for professional indemnity and public liability, with more than 20 years’ experience behind us. To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us. We’re frequently asked to look into a ridge or slope that dips and standing water on a flat extension roof, across gutters and downpipes, natural slate and chimney stacks.
Somewhere as small as Orlestone, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, like when you want to compare after future work.
- Place
- Orlestone (TN26)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and South East England have slate roofs. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates, plus the metal clips that show earlier patching.
Gutters and parapets
Gutters, downpipes and outlets carry water away from walls. We check for blockages, leaking joints and sagging runs.
What we are asked to look at in Orlestone
Blocked or leaking gutters do damage that isn’t obvious at first. Water spilling over a gutter soaks brickwork and can rot fascias and rafter ends. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. They’re part of what we look at.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
For an older house near a landmark like Church of St Mary the Virgin, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What the survey won’t cover
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Orlestone
If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
If you let a flat or house near Ham Street station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Orlestone is about 4 miles south of Ashford, in Kent. Surveys in Orlestone work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
Surveys in TN26 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Hamstreet (1 mile south-east), Bromley Green (1 mile north), Kenardington (2 miles south-west), Ruckinge (2 miles south-east) and Stone Cross (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Ashford (4 miles north), Folkestone (14 miles east), Hythe (10 miles east), Hawkinge (14 miles east), Tenterden (7 miles west) and Cheriton (13 miles east).
Near you in Orlestone
We work in homes and buildings around The Dukes Head pub and the streets around them. Orlestone’s nearest station is Ham Street station, roughly 0.7 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Woodchurch Village Life Museum (3.6 miles west) and William Harvey Hospital (5.3 miles north-east). Open spaces near Orlestone include Orlestone Forest.
Also near Orlestone
Other services in Orlestone
What a pre-purchase roof survey does not cover
Before booking, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- A structural engineer’s report
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will point you to the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
FAQs for Orlestone
Will you come out to Orlestone?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Do you cover Orlestone?
Yes, Orlestone is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Orlestone as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can usually 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 we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
How experienced are you?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Do you need access inside the house?
Ideally, yes. The loft tells us a lot about the roof, and upstairs windows give useful views. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes, you can. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. We cannot promise how the seller will respond.
How it works
We check the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey normally takes about 1–2 hours for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Older roofs in small places like Orlestone can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- 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.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Book a survey
Prices start 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.
Advice
Why it’s worth a survey now in Orlestone
Even if you go ahead regardless, knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan. The report shows what needs doing first, so you can plan work before small faults get bigger. For older village homes like those around Orlestone, the right replacement materials are not always easy to find quickly. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before booking.
Why book us in Orlestone
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Surveys seven days a week
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
For landlords and managing agents
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client, photographs included.