Kent · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Shelvin
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat for Shelvin, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
Different roofs, different checks
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay plain tiles are common on older South East homes, and some still have peg tiles. Rotten pegs let tiles slide, so we look for gaps along the courses.
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but the nails holding it corrode long before that. When slates start to slip, corroded nails are often the reason, and we note how widespread it looks.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Shelvin
Buyers in Shelvin and right across London and South East England use our pre-purchase roof survey. Whether it’s a terrace, a semi, a detached house or a flat, the roof gets the same careful look. The report says what’s in good order, what is not 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 use the contact form. If you’ve noticed quick fixes on flashings and valleys and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Older buildings in small places like Shelvin may be listed or in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it’s worth knowing which applies. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Where
- Shelvin (CT4)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the price in Shelvin
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Roof area
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
Booking your survey
You do not need to know any roofing terms. Just let us know:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- When you need the report by
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Towns and villages near Shelvin
Also in Shelvin
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Shelvin
Is Shelvin in the area you cover?
Yes, Shelvin is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos.
Is Shelvin within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. Buyers use the findings to ask questions, ask for repairs before completion or ask for a price change. What the seller agrees to is their decision, so we can’t promise any saving.
How quickly will I get the report?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed, with photographs.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That gives you time to use the findings.
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.
How long does the survey visit take?
It typically takes between one and two hours for a house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.
For landlords and managing agents
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Shelvin
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Older houses across Kent frequently 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.
Take an older house close to Church of St Martin: ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs frequently have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges. Acrise Place, about 4 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Shelvin. If you are buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing. For landlords with property near Shepherds Well station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Shelvin is about 6 miles north-west of Dover, in Kent. From houses to flats and shops in Shelvin, we can survey the roof. Across Kent, we cover Shelvin and the places around it. Canterbury is in our area too.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in CT4 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include Clints Lane and Shelvin Lane. Other places close to Shelvin include Wootton (1 mile south-west), Denton (1 mile west), Lodge Lees (1 mile west), Breach (2 miles west) and Selsted (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Ashford (14 miles west), Canterbury (8 miles north-west), Dover (6 miles south-east), Folkestone (7 miles south), Ramsgate (14 miles north-east) and Whitstable (13 miles north-west).
What’s near Shelvin
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Coach House Hotel and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Shepherds Well station, about 1.9 miles east. Nearby you will also find Buckland Hospital (5.9 miles south-east).
How it works
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. After that, we look at everything we can see safely. The survey usually takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Older rural homes like those around Shelvin can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations before you exchange.
Before the survey
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Arrange a survey
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so ring 07833 053749 or email us with the details.
Advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Even if you go ahead regardless, knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan. You will know which jobs are urgent and which can wait, and you can line up a roofer before small faults grow. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
All our prices include VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for your survey before booking.
Why book us in Shelvin
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- Weekday and weekend surveys
Read how roof surveys are priced and what we found on two real jobs.
What we cannot see
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
- The roof space