Surrey · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Rowly
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat for Rowly and the rest of Surrey. Surveys run seven days a week.
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
Pre-purchase roof survey in Rowly: what you get
A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building, so the roof is one item among many. We do not offer a RICS home survey, and ours is not a substitute for one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photographs of what we find and written recommendations. The two sit side by side if you want the fullest picture. If you’ve noticed chimney mortar that has eroded and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
For a small place like Rowly, the visit is planned like any other: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when you book. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Visits can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Rowly (GU6, GU5)
- Wider area
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you want to find out. After that, we check everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where it applies. The survey normally takes about one to two hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a hamlet or village like Rowly, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are 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.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Arrange a survey
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email to find out.
Related advice
Nearby places to Rowly
Other services in Rowly
What a pre-purchase roof survey does not cover
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- The condition of the rest of the house (that’s a RICS home survey)
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
Different roofs, different checks
Clay and concrete tiles
Concrete interlocking tiles are common on post-war and newer homes. They’re heavy and hard-wearing, but they weather and can crack, and low-pitched roofs need their laps to be right.
Flat roofs
Many homes have a flat roof somewhere, often over an extension. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We check how the covering is wearing.
What we’re asked to look at in Rowly
Gutter problems often look minor from the street. 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 check.
Look out for signs like these:
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Blocked or leaking gutters
If you own a rental within reach of Chilworth station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Questions to ask before booking
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- What insurance they carry
- What happens after the report arrives
Local roofs and buyers in Rowly
About 4.3 miles north lies Chilworth Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Rowly has been built on. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls are typical of Surrey’s older houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old buildings in Surrey. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
Rowly is about 7 miles south-east of Guildford, in Surrey. We visit Rowly as part of our work across Surrey, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Across Surrey, we cover Rowly and the places around it. There is also a page for Guildford.
Surveys in GU6 and GU5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Whether your property is on Guildford Road, Strathavon Close and Smithwood Avenue or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover Stroud Common (1 mile north), Elmbridge Village (1 mile south), Grafham (2 miles west), Shamley Green (2 miles north-west) and Birtley Green (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Guildford (7 miles north-west), Woking (11 miles north), Camberley (15 miles north-west), Horley (15 miles east), Farnham (13 miles west) and Reigate (14 miles east).
Landmarks near Rowly
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Cucknell's Wood and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Chilworth station, about 3.9 miles north of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Milford Hospital (5.2 miles west). Not far away are Lower Lake and St Martha's Hill and Colyer's Hanger.
Questions from Rowly
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Rowly?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Rowly?
Yes, Rowly 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.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. The report is most useful before exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Are you insured?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. From the roof space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
Do I need a roof survey if I’m having a RICS survey?
It’s your choice, but the two do different jobs. A RICS home survey covers the whole building, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Ours sits alongside a RICS survey rather than replacing it.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Rowly
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- House, block, shop or office
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Height and safe access
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT.
Getting in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- The property’s address and postcode
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Anything about access we should know
- What kind of property and roof it is
We survey roofs on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Useful tips for Rowly property owners
Getting the most from a pre-purchase roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Check we will be able to get into the loft space
- Mention any deadline when you contact us
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Findings are set out in plain English, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Keep an eye on chimneys and flashings in your new home. Watch for gaps in the pointing, cracked flaunching and loose lead. Binoculars from the ground are enough for a first look.