Kent · London and the South East
South Stour Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in South Stour. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in South Stour
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Most of it cannot be seen from the street. We look closely and record what we see, with photos so you can see it for yourself. Each finding is explained in plain words, so it’s clear what it means for your purchase. We survey natural slate, clay and concrete tiles and chimney stacks, and common reasons people get in touch are lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney and damp timbers or stains in the loft.
Older buildings in small places like South Stour may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it’s worth knowing which applies. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later.
- Where
- South Stour (TN25)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in South Stour?
Gutter problems frequently look minor from the street. Water spilling over a gutter soaks brickwork and can rot fascias and rafter ends. Valley and parapet gutters can overflow inside the house. We check them as part of the survey.
Look out for signs like these:
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
If you let a flat or house near Ashford International station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Questions to ask before you book
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Are they insured for the work?
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Whether the price includes VAT
For landlords and managing agents
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Lots of buyers go ahead anyway, but with their eyes open. The report shows what needs doing first, so you can plan work before small faults get bigger. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why book with us
- Surveys seven days a week
- Photos and a written report every time
- PI and public liability insurance
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or two real surveys.
Checking the roof from ground level
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Also in South Stour
Buying a home or a new roof in South Stour
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Godinton House, about 4.8 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around South Stour. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
South Stour is about 3 miles south-east of Ashford, in Kent. We provide pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in South Stour and nearby. We cover towns and villages across Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
Every address in TN25 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Other places close to South Stour include Mersham (1 mile north-east), Sevington (2 miles north), Hinxhill Park (2 miles north), Ridgeway (3 miles north-east) and Hinxhill (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (3 miles north-west), Canterbury (14 miles north-east), Folkestone (11 miles east), Faversham (14 miles north), Hythe (8 miles east) and Davington (15 miles north).
Near you in South Stour
In South Stour, that means homes and buildings near Poulton Wood and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Ashford International station, roughly 2.8 miles north-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include William Harvey Hospital (2.4 miles north) and Ashford Designer Outlet (2.3 miles north-west). The countryside around South Stour includes Hatch Park.
Tips that help
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Some pointers:
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Ask the agent to make sure the loft hatch can be opened
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Ask when the roof was last worked on
The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. Whichever package you choose, you can ask us what a finding means.
Every so frequently, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Photos help if you later need a roofer or another survey.
How it works
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit normally takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Older roofs in small places like South Stour can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- 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.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Before the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
How to book
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
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Questions from South Stour
Does a conservation area affect roof work in South Stour?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you cover South Stour?
Yes, South Stour is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and South East England. Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Let us know your preferred days as you book.
What’s the best way to book?
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and find a day that 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.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
On site, it normally takes about one to two hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. High wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, so we’d move the date with you.