Greater London · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Surrey Quays
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Surrey Quays. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Surrey Quays
Some roofs can’t be seen well from ground level or from windows. Our Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and, where it applies, a drone inspection, along with a same-day report. If airspace rules or the weather rule out a flight, we will say so and look from ground level, windows and the loft instead. We are often asked to look into quick fixes on flashings and valleys and roof slopes that look uneven or sagging, across the roof space, chimney stacks and clay and concrete tiles.
London terraces and converted houses often share a roof line, chimney stacks and gutters with the house next door. That matters for anyone buying in Surrey Quays or checking a new roof there: we inspect what we’re given access to and can see safely, which may not include a neighbour’s side. For a flat, the lease typically says who looks after the roof.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Location
- Surrey Quays (SE16, SE8, SE15)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Surrey Quays
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
Surrey Quays: your questions answered
Is parking a problem for a survey in Surrey Quays?
In much of London, parking needs planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available when you book.
Are there drone restrictions around Surrey Quays?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. The flight restriction zone around London City Airport comes within about 2 miles of Surrey Quays. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. The restricted area over the Isle of Dogs, where drone flights need permission from NATS, is about 2 miles from Surrey Quays. If a roof falls inside it, we apply for permission before flying, and the flight only goes ahead if it is granted. Across London there are restriction zones around Heathrow, London City and London Heliport, plus restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Each address is checked against all of them before the drone goes up. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and the rest of the survey doesn’t depend on the drone.
Do you need to go inside the property?
Where possible, yes. The loft tells us a lot about the roof, and upstairs windows give useful views. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
It is your choice, but the two do different jobs. A RICS home survey covers the whole building, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Ours sits alongside a RICS survey rather than replacing it.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS home survey. It complements one rather than replacing it.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
When will the report arrive?
Premium reports arrive the same day, Standard reports within 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed, with photos.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Surrey Quays
Inner London’s Victorian and Edwardian terraces often have Welsh slate roofs. Behind many of their parapets sit butterfly roofs and valley gutters that cannot be seen from the pavement. Shared chimney stacks, party-wall upstands and lead work come with this kind of house. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. Historic houses such as Queen's House, about 1.9 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Surrey Quays goes. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
As a London address, Surrey Quays can be tricky for parking: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day easier. Landlords with a home close to Surrey Quays station may find that a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. If you live in an older home near St Katharine with St Bartholomew, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Surrey Quays is about 2 miles south-east of Whitechapel, in Greater London. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Surrey Quays. Across Greater London, we cover Surrey Quays and the places around it.
Here we cover the SE16, SE8 and SE15 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Streets in the area include Bush Road, Gomm Road and Lower Road, and we cover them all. Being close to the A200 and A2208, Surrey Quays is easy for us to reach. Close by, we survey roofs in Rotherhithe (1 mile north), Surrey Canal (1 mile south-west), South Bermondsey (1 mile south-west), Millwall (1 mile east) and North Greenwich (1 mile east). Further out, we also cover City of Westminster (5 miles west), Marylebone (5 miles west), Kensington (7 miles west), St Pancras (4 miles north-west), Shoreditch (3 miles north-west) and Walthamstow (7 miles north).
Landmarks near Surrey Quays
Around Surrey Quays, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Spa School, Deptford Park and Bacon's College. Surrey Quays has its own railway station: Surrey Quays station. A little further out are Surrey Quays Shopping Centre (under half a mile north-west) and Brunel Museum (0.8 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Lavender Pond and Tower Hill.
Also near Surrey Quays
What else we do in Surrey Quays
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Basic, Standard or Premium
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We’ll give you the figure before anything is booked.
What we need to know
There is no need for technical words. It’s enough to let us know:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- When you need the report by
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Why get it checked now?
Sellers aren’t always aware of roof problems. Their answers on the property forms only cover what they know about. An independent look tells you how the roof is now. A hidden valley or parapet gutter on a London house can hold water for weeks before anyone notices. When the stain finally shows, the damage underneath is often older than it looks.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, which starts from £400, including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Why us?
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- An independent look at the roof
- Clear package prices, including VAT
- Visits on any day of the week
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Roof by roof
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and the South East have slate roofs. We look for slates that have slid, cracked or gone, plus the metal clips that show earlier patching.
Clay and concrete tiles
Older homes in the South East frequently have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles on some. Where pegs have rotted, tiles can slip.
For landlords and managing agents
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time.
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
How it works
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. London terraces rarely offer a view of the whole roof from one spot, so a visit in Surrey Quays moves between viewpoints: the pavement, upstairs windows, the loft and any safe spot at the back. If other people live in the building, tell us who can let us into the shared parts.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Before we arrive
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
How to book
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.