Surrey · London and the South East
Selsdon Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Selsdon and across Surrey, with plain-English findings.
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
Pre-purchase roof survey in Selsdon: what you get
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a proper look at it before you’re committed. We check the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, plus the loft where there’s safe access. You get a report with photographs. If you’ve noticed gutters that overflow or drip at the joints and damp timbers or stains in the loft, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a smaller place like Selsdon, homes are mostly houses and bungalows, from older cottages to more recent builds. Older roofs may still have their original slates or clay tiles, with fixings and underlay that have done a long stint. Whether you are buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Older roofs frequently have bitumen felt under the coverings, as breathable membranes only arrived in the late 1990s.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photograph where possible, with the urgent items made clear.
- Where
- Selsdon (CR2, CR0)
- Region
- Surrey
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Some parts of a survey depend on the weather, so a visit to Selsdon is booked with the forecast in mind: drone flights and thermal imaging need the right conditions, while a look from ground level and the loft can go ahead in most weather.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- 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.
Before the survey
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
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Places near Selsdon
Other services in Selsdon
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Selsdon: local notes
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. The wider area around Selsdon has a long history of building, with Addington Palace about 1 mile north-east. If yours is one of the older homes, 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.
If you let a flat or house near Sanderstead station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. If you live in an older home near St Francis, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Selsdon is about 2 miles south-east of Croydon, in Surrey. Roofs in Selsdon get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Surrey. Our area takes in places right across Surrey. We also survey roofs in London.
Surveys in CR2 and CR0 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on York Road, Byron Road and Abbey Road or anywhere close by, we can help. We also cover the places around Selsdon: Forestdale (1 mile east), Addington (1 mile north-east), Sanderstead (1 mile south-west), Coombe (1 mile north-west) and Farleigh (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Epsom (9 miles west), Horley (13 miles south-west), Redhill (9 miles south-west), Ewell (9 miles west), Reigate (10 miles south-west) and Caterham (4 miles south).
What’s near Selsdon
Around Selsdon, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Sir Julian Huxley pub, The Quest Academy and Littleheath Woods, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Sanderstead station, about 1.7 miles west of the centre. A little further out are St George's Walk (2.7 miles north-west) and Croydon Airport Visitor Centre (2.9 miles west). For a walk, there’s Duppas Hill and Bramley Bank.
Checking the roof from ground level
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book.
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Worn or cracked lead lets water straight into the roof, and missing lead is not unknown, as it’s a target for thieves.
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.
What happens if roof problems are left?
The lender’s valuation is done for the lender, not for you. It looks at whether the property is suitable security for the loan, and it will not look closely at the roof. Our survey is done for you, and the report is written for you to use. Arranging work in a smaller place like Selsdon is easier with notice than in an emergency. Knowing early gives you time to get the right people in.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why us?
- Visits on any day of the week
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- 20+ years’ experience
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
Honest limits
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Selsdon
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- The roof space
Selsdon: your questions answered
Is Selsdon within the area you cover?
Yes, Selsdon is covered. Our area covers London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Selsdon is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
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, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where it applies.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only where it is safe. We also inspect from ground level, upper windows and the loft space, and a drone is part of the Premium Survey where it applies.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys run on any day of the week. To arrange a date, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Let us know your timetable
With the findings in hand, you can talk to the seller or their agent. You might ask for the work to be done before completion, or ask to adjust the price. What happens next is your decision and the seller’s.
Chimneys and flashings need watching. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. Binoculars from the ground are enough for a first look.