Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Pett Bottom
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Pett Bottom, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Pre-purchase roof survey in Pett Bottom
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Slates slip when their nails corrode, lead valleys and flashings wear, and chimney pointing crumbles. Most of it can’t be seen from the street. We look closely and record what we see, with photos so you can see it for yourself. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. We survey flat-roofed extensions and dormers, clay and concrete tiles and chimney stacks, and the problems we are asked to look at most are cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing and gutters that overflow or drip at the joints.
For a small place like Pett Bottom, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed ahead of time. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at as you book, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Pett Bottom (CT4)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the price in Pett Bottom
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- House, block, shop or office
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The size of the roof
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What to tell us when you contact us
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. Just let us know:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Anything about access we should know
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
For a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Pett Bottom, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.
How it works
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Older roofs in small places like Pett Bottom can have low, tight loft spaces, so it is useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it is safe.
- Once your offer is accepted, you let us know the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from the ground and from vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Before the survey
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Book a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. By the time a stain shows, timber or plaster may already be damp. Finding the cause at the survey stage lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That is one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Pett Bottom
- 98% customer satisfaction
- 20+ years’ experience
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Prices that include VAT
See our cost guide and two real surveys.
Common questions in Pett Bottom
Is Pett Bottom within the area you cover?
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 when you book.
Is my home in Pett Bottom listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
The visit usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and it’s safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where possible, yes. We look in the roof space where there’s safe access, and views from upper windows help too. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we check
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
Different roofs, different checks
Natural slate
Slate is common on Victorian and Edwardian houses. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, plus the metal clips that show earlier patching.
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We look for lead that has lifted, split or been patched over.
For landlords and managing agents
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the addresses.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
Also near Pett Bottom
Other services in Pett Bottom
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Pett Bottom
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. If your home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission, so the council is the place to ask.
If you own a rental within reach of Bekesbourne station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St Mary, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Pett Bottom is about 4 miles south of Canterbury, in Kent. Pett Bottom is one of many places we visit across Kent, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages.
Every address in CT4 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. You will find streets like Pett Bottom Road and School Lane, and we cover them all. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Lower Hardres (1 mile north-west), Upper Hardres (1 mile south-west), Street End (1 mile north-west), Lynsore Bottom (1 mile south) and Nackington (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (12 miles south-west), Canterbury (4 miles north), Dover (11 miles south-east), Folkestone (10 miles south), Whitstable (9 miles north) and Deal (13 miles east).
Near you in Pett Bottom
In Pett Bottom, that means homes and buildings near The Duck pub and the streets around them. Pett Bottom’s nearest station is Bekesbourne station, roughly 3 miles north-east. Other landmarks nearby include Canterbury Castle (3.4 miles north) and Rupert Bear Museum (3.5 miles north).