Surrey · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in The Chart
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in The Chart, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
Landlord and commercial surveys in The Chart
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
We survey roofs for landlords and letting agents as well as homeowners. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the roof.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in The Chart
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you are tied in. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and the roof space where it is safe to get in. The findings come in a written report with photos. We are frequently asked to look into damp timbers or stains in the loft and sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes, on gutters and downpipes, clay and concrete tiles and the roof space.
Older buildings in small places like The Chart 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. Whether you are buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand, as well as what condition the roof is in. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Location
- The Chart (RH8)
- Region
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Useful tips for The Chart property owners
Getting the most from a pre-purchase roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Let us know your timetable
- Check we’ll be able to get into the loft space
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. They’ll see exactly what we found, and where, so each quote covers the same ground.
After strong winds, look at the roof from the ground. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.
The Chart: your questions answered
Is my home in The Chart listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you cover The Chart?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and The Chart is part of that. You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
It typically takes an hour or two for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access is not possible, we note it in the report.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. How the seller responds is up to them.
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Many older homes in London and the South East have slate roofs. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.
Flat roofs
Ponding, blistering, splits and worn upstands are the usual warning signs. We check outlets too, since a blocked one leaves water sitting on the roof.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around The Chart
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. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. About 1.9 miles east lies Chartwell, a reminder of how long the area around The Chart has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you own a rental within reach of Hurst Green station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. The streets around a church such as St Andrew's are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
The Chart is about 6 miles south-east of Caterham, in Surrey. The Chart is one of many places we visit across Surrey, for homes and businesses alike. The Chart is one of the places in Surrey we cover. We also survey roofs in Crawley.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: RH8. Streets in the area include Stoneleigh Road, St Andrews Way and Ridlands Lane, and we cover them all. We also cover the places around The Chart: Pains-Hill (1 mile west), Moorhouse Bank (1 mile north-east), Goodley Stock (1 mile east), Limpsfield (1 mile north-west) and Crockham Hill (1 mile south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Epsom (15 miles north-west), Horley (10 miles south-west), Redhill (9 miles west), Ewell (15 miles north-west), Reigate (10 miles west) and Caterham (6 miles north-west).
What’s near The Chart
In The Chart, that means homes and buildings near Carpenters Arms, Oxted School and Hazelwood School, among other places. The closest station to The Chart is Hurst Green station, about 1.6 miles west of the centre. A little further out are Tandridge Priory (0.6 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Botley Hill and Bay Pond.
When you need someone else
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
How the survey works
We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit normally takes about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a small place like The Chart, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know 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 loft space and from the roof where safe.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Before the survey
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
Book a survey
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
Places near The Chart
What else we do in The Chart
Can I check my roof myself?
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book, as it helps us focus the survey.