Surrey · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey
A careful look at the roof at your property in Staines-upon-Thames, with photos and a written report.
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Flashings that have lifted or split
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Staines-upon-Thames?
Viewings rarely include a proper look at the roof. You walk round the rooms, but the roof stays out of sight. New paint on a ceiling can hide old water stains, so a closer look is worth having before you commit.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
For an older house near a landmark like Church of St Peter, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What insurance they carry
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What happens after the report arrives
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Staines-upon-Thames
Book after your offer is accepted and before exchange. At that point you can still ask questions, because nothing is binding yet. Visits run on weekdays and at weekends, which helps when the chain is moving fast. The report comes within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. We survey flat-roofed extensions and dormers, gutters and downpipes and the roof space, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and gutters that overflow or drip at the joints.
Around towns like Staines-upon-Thames, many houses have gained extensions, dormers, porches or garages, often with flat roofs. Where an extension roof meets the main house is a classic place for water to get in. For a home you are buying in Staines-upon-Thames, or a roof just finished there, those joints get a careful look.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. It is useful right away, and a good reference for later, such as when you want to compare after future work.
- Place
- Staines-upon-Thames (TW18, TW20, TW19)
- Wider area
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Places near Staines-upon-Thames
More services for Staines-upon-Thames
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs
A flat roof that has been coated over several times may hide problems underneath. We record what we can see and say where a closer look is needed.
Natural slate
Good slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings, yet the nails that fix it frequently give out first. When slates start to slip, corroded nails are often the reason.
Staines-upon-Thames homes and their roofs
With Botleys Mansion about 4 miles south, Staines-upon-Thames sits in an area with a long building history. 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 a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In Surrey, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, with tile-hanging on many upper walls. A few of Surrey’s oldest buildings have heavy Horsham stone slab roofs. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
For landlords with property near Staines station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Staines-upon-Thames is about 7 miles south-west of Hayes, in Surrey. We provide pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Staines-upon-Thames. Our Surrey coverage includes Staines-upon-Thames and the places around it. Guildford is in our area too.
We work across TW18, TW20 and TW19 for pre-purchase roof surveys. Whether your property is on High Street, Goring's Square and London Road or a nearby road, we can help. You will find Staines-upon-Thames on the A308 and A320, which makes it simple to reach. Other places close to Staines-upon-Thames include Egham Hythe (1 mile south-west), Penton Hook (2 miles south), Hythe End (2 miles north-west), Egham (2 miles west) and Thorpe (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Guildford (13 miles south), Woking (8 miles south), Camberley (12 miles south-west), Epsom (12 miles south-east), Ewell (12 miles south-east) and Walton-on-Thames (5 miles south-east).
What’s near Staines-upon-Thames
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Star pub, Penton Park and The Magna Carta School, among other places. Staines-upon-Thames has its own railway station: Staines station. A little further out are Ashford Hospital (1.8 miles north-east) and Spelthorne Museum (0.5 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Staines Reservoirs and Kempton Park Reservoirs.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Staines-upon-Thames
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
What we cannot see
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Questions from Staines-upon-Thames
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Staines-upon-Thames?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Are there drone restrictions around Staines-upon-Thames?
Typically it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. The flight restriction zone around Heathrow Airport comes within about 1 mile of Staines-upon-Thames. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning, with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Do you need to go inside the property?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. The report is most useful before exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain doesn’t normally stop a survey. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions are not right we’ll arrange another day with you.
How it works
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. A visit in Staines-upon-Thames runs most smoothly with the loft hatch clear, side gates open and a parking spot in mind. Someone needs to let us in, so tell us who that will be.
- 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.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- You get a report with photos and recommendations before you exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Check pets are kept safely away
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form when you are ready.