Surrey · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in South Holmwood
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat for South Holmwood and the rest of Surrey. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
Pre-purchase roof surveys around South Holmwood
Many older homes in Surrey have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls. Some old buildings in Surrey and Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. With Polesden Lacey about 5 miles north-west, South Holmwood sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Landlords with a home close to Holmwood station may find that a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary Magdalene, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
South Holmwood is about 3 miles south of Dorking, in Surrey. Roofs in South Holmwood get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Surrey. South Holmwood is one of the towns and villages in Surrey we cover. We also survey roofs in Crawley.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in RH5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on Warwick Road, Norfolk Road and Milford Court and the roads around them. Other places close to South Holmwood include Holmwood Corner (1 mile south-east), Beare Green (1 mile south), Coldharbour (2 miles south-west), Friday Street (3 miles west) and Abinger Bottom (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (11 miles west), Woking (14 miles north-west), Epsom (10 miles north), Horley (7 miles east), Redhill (7 miles north-east) and Ewell (12 miles north).
Near you in South Holmwood
Around South Holmwood, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Inholms Clay Pit and The Norfolk Arms, among other places. South Holmwood’s nearest station is Holmwood station, roughly 0.8 miles south. Nearby you’ll also find Mesolithic Museum (3.6 miles west) and Betchworth Castle (3.4 miles north). The countryside around South Holmwood includes Leith Hill and Vann Lake.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in South Holmwood
We survey roofs for buyers in South Holmwood and across London and the South East. Whether it’s a terrace, a semi, a detached house or a flat, we follow the same careful process. 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 book, call 07833 053749 or email us. We survey clay and concrete tiles, the roof space and flat-roofed extensions and dormers, and common reasons people get in touch are quick fixes on flashings and valleys and gutters choked with leaves and moss.
Somewhere as small as South Holmwood, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings frequently sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- South Holmwood (RH5)
- Region
- Surrey
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near South Holmwood
Other services in South Holmwood
Honest limits
We only report what can safely be seen on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- Asbestos testing of any kind
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
Common questions in South Holmwood
Do you cover smaller places like South Holmwood?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We survey roofs across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Do you carry out roof surveys in South Holmwood?
Yes. Our area covers London and the South East, and South Holmwood is part of that. You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Will the roof report help me negotiate with the seller?
Yes. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That way you can still act on what we find, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, and you get a written report with photos. It is not a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you as you book.
Will you need to get into the loft?
Ideally, yes. We look in the roof space where there’s safe access, and upstairs windows give useful views. Access is usually arranged through the agent or seller.
Practical tips
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Do not leave it until just before exchange
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
It is worth sharing the report with your solicitor so questions can go to the seller’s solicitor. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions, especially where we have found patch repairs.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Roof area
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Building height and the viewpoints available
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Our price is from £150, including VAT.
Helping us price your survey
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. Just tell us:
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- What made you get in touch
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings close the gaps at chimneys, walls and abutments. We check whether they’ve lifted, split or been replaced with mortar or bitumen.
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.
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a hamlet or village like South Holmwood, 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.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Booking a survey
To book a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Why get it checked now?
The lender’s valuation is done for the lender, not for you. Its job is to check the property’s value for the mortgage, and it will not look closely at the roof. A roof survey is carried out for the buyer, and the report is written for you to use. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like South Holmwood, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
To find out what your survey will cost, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in South Holmwood
- An independent view of the roof
- Photos and a written report every time
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or two real surveys.