Kent · London and the South East
Southernden Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Southernden from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Blocked or leaking gutters
Pre-purchase roof survey in Southernden: what you get
Our packages start with the Basic Survey from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where applicable and an in-person consultation. Choose the level that suits the home you’re buying. Every package comes with a written report, photos and recommendations. If you’ve noticed ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof and flashings that have lifted or split, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
For a small place like Southernden, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when booking. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Visits can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Location
- Southernden (TN27)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey can’t tell you
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and downpipes
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof 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. For a village or hamlet like Southernden, the journey is planned in advance: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect what can be seen safely, inside and out.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- 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
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
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Surveys for landlords and agents in Southernden
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as homeowners. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof, useful for planning maintenance.
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Southernden
Leeds Castle, about 4.8 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Southernden. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
If you let a flat or house near Headcorn station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Southernden is about 8 miles south-east of Maidstone, in Kent. Southernden is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Southernden is one of the places in Kent we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. There’s also a page for Maidstone.
We cover every part of TN27 for pre-purchase roof surveys. Other places close to Southernden include Swift's Green (1 mile south), Smarden Bell (2 miles south), Headcorn (2 miles south-west), Hearnden Green (2 miles west) and Biddenden Green (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (8 miles north-west), Ashford (9 miles east), Sittingbourne (11 miles north), Faversham (13 miles north-east), Kings Hill (13 miles north-west) and Davington (13 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Southernden
For rail, the closest station is Headcorn station, roughly 2.1 miles south-west. Other landmarks nearby include Coldbridge Castle (1.7 miles north-east) and Kent Firefighting Museum (3.8 miles south-west).
Nearby places to Southernden
What else we do in Southernden
Can I check my roof myself?
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
What affects the price in Southernden
When we price a survey, we consider:
- The roof’s overall size
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- The shape of the roof and its details
Prices start from £150, with VAT included, for a Basic Survey. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. You’ll know the exact price before booking.
Helping us price your survey
We will typically ask about:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
- The type of building and roof, like pitched or flat
- What’s prompted the survey
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Southernden
Are there drone restrictions around Southernden?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Southernden is about 3 miles from Headcorn Aerodrome, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather, and the rest of the survey doesn’t depend on the drone.
How do I find out if my home in Southernden is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Southernden in your area?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and that includes Southernden.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. You need the report before you exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
What’s the best way to book?
It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Give us the address and some details about the roof. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. You might ask for work to be done, ask questions or ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller, so we cannot promise any saving.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. It is a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It is not a RICS survey and does not cover the rest of the house.
Tips from our surveys
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
- Let us know your timetable
- Book once your offer is accepted
The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. If anything in the report isn’t clear, ask us.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Condensation in a roof space can look like a leak and can damage timbers over time. Avoid packing insulation into the eaves so tightly that air cannot flow.