Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Shippon
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Shippon.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
Should I look at the roof myself first?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Shippon
Buyers in Shippon and right across London and South East England use our pre-purchase roof survey. Whether it is a terrace, a semi, a detached house or a flat, the roof gets the same careful look. We tell you what’s sound, what needs attention and how urgent it is. We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and have 20+ years’ experience. To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Typical surveys look at roof slopes that look uneven or sagging and gutters that overflow or drip at the joints, on lead flashings and valleys, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and chimney stacks.
Older buildings in small places like Shippon 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, as well as what condition the roof is in. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Location
- Shippon (OX13)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Shippon
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Shippon: local notes
West Oxfordshire’s older buildings often carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
If you let a flat or house near Radley station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. With Appleton Manor about 3.1 miles north-west, the area around Shippon has a long history. If you are buying an older home nearby, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Shippon is about 1 mile west of Abingdon-on-Thames, in Oxfordshire. We survey roofs in Shippon and the rest of Oxfordshire, as part of our work across London and South East England. Our Oxfordshire coverage includes Shippon. Our Oxford page covers surveys nearby.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in OX13 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Chestnut Tree Close, Willow Tree Close and Whitehouse Close or anywhere close by, we can help. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Cothill (1 mile north-west), Dry Sandford (2 miles north-west), Marcham (2 miles south-west), Sutton Wick (2 miles south) and Frilford Heath (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Oxford (6 miles north-east), Didcot (6 miles south-east), Witney (11 miles north-west), Carterton (14 miles north-west), Thame (15 miles east) and Wantage (8 miles south-west).
What’s near Shippon
Typical jobs here are in homes near St Nicolas Church of England Primary School, Prince Of Wales pub and Albert Park, among other places. Shippon’s nearest station is Radley station, roughly 2.8 miles east. A little further out are Abingdon Community Hospital (0.8 miles south) and FitzHarris Castle (1 mile south-east). Not far away are Cumnor Hill and Dry Sandford Pit.
How it works
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the roof as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Older roofs in small places like Shippon can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, inside and out.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Before the survey
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
How to book
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Read more
Surveys for landlords and agents in Shippon
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
Towns and villages near Shippon
What else we do in Shippon
Before and after the survey
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Ask the agent to make sure the loft hatch can be opened
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
With Standard, you get a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation. If anything in the report is not clear, ask us.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
Shippon questions
Do you cover smaller places like Shippon?
Yes, Shippon is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Is Shippon in the area you cover?
Yes. Our area covers London and the South East, and Shippon is part of that. Just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How soon is the report ready?
Premium reports arrive the same day, Standard reports within 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed with photos included.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. The report is most useful before exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
What’s the best way to book?
Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can normally go ahead in light rain. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions aren’t right we will arrange another day with you.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Shippon
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and ponding, blisters and splits are common signs of age. A buyer can easily miss them, because many can only be seen from an upstairs window.
Look out for signs like these:
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near Church of St Mary Magdalene, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
What to check before booking
- How soon the report will arrive
- What insurance they carry
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- What follow-up you get after the report