Kent · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Ratling, Kent
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Ratling, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Ratling
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 it is clear what it means for your purchase. If you’re worried about worn or lifted lead flashings and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
For a small place like Ratling, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed in advance. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Visits can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.
If any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Ratling (CT3)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ratling
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Let us know about it as you book and we’ll plan the survey around it.
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photos.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked, as far as we can see them safely.
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and the South East have slate roofs. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
What affects the price in Ratling
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
What to tell us when you get in touch
We’ll typically ask about:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Ratling, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
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:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- A structural engineer’s report
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
Nearby places to Ratling
What else we do in Ratling
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Ratling
Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The wider area around Ratling has a long history of building, with Goodnestone Park about 1 mile north-east. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near St Peter, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Ratling is about 6 miles south-east of Canterbury, in Kent. We survey roofs in Ratling and the rest of Kent. Ratling is one of the places in Kent where we work. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
We cover every part of CT3 for pre-purchase roof surveys. Other places close to Ratling include Nonington (1 mile south-east), Snowdown (1 mile south), Goodnestone (1 mile north-east), Chillenden (2 miles east) and Woolage Village (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (6 miles north-west), Margate (13 miles north-east), Dover (8 miles south-east), Folkestone (11 miles south), Ramsgate (11 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (13 miles north-east).
Around Ratling
Ratling’s nearest station is Adisham station, roughly 0.5 miles north-west of the centre. A little further out are St Martins Hospital (5.2 miles north-west).
How it works
Before we start, let us know 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 usually takes about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a hamlet or village like Ratling, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
How to prepare
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
Booking a survey
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Ratling?
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, and standing water, blisters and splits are typical signs of ageing. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, because many can only be seen from an upstairs window.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
For landlords with property near Adisham station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Questions to ask before you book
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
Ratling: your questions answered
Is my home in Ratling 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.
Is Ratling within the area you cover?
Yes, Ratling is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. You’ll have photos and a written description of each defect, which you can share with the seller or agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
How long does the survey visit take?
On site, it typically takes between one and two hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, with a written report and photos. It is not a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
They do different things. A home survey looks at the whole property, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Ours sits alongside a RICS survey rather than replacing it.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.