Hampshire · London and the South East
Thorns Beach Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Know where you stand with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Thorns Beach.
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
Pre-purchase roof survey in Thorns Beach: what you get
If you’re buying a flat, the roof may well be shared. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company. We look at as much of the roof as access safely allows, and the report helps you ask your solicitor or the managing agent the right questions. Where the building has a flat roof, it is checked as far as access allows. If you’ve noticed cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing and roof slopes that look uneven or sagging, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Somewhere as small as Thorns Beach, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings frequently sit beside a few newer homes. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. It’s useful straight away, and a good reference for later, such as when you want to compare after future work.
- Place
- Thorns Beach (SO42)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
After you move in, keep the report somewhere safe. Work through the urgent items before anything else, and keep the photographs to compare against later. The Premium Survey includes a 12-month follow-up to see how things have changed.
Chimneys and flashings need watching. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. Binoculars from ground level are enough for a first look.
When you need someone else
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll point you to the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Roof area
- Which survey package you book
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What we need to know
You do not need to know any roofing terms. Just tell us:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Local roofs and buyers in Thorns Beach
Thorns Beach lies within about 1 mile of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Landlords with a home close to Lymington Pier station may find that it is worth knowing a roof’s condition before you buy it, or before you sign off new roofing work on it.
Thorns Beach is about 5 miles east of Lymington, in Hampshire. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Thorns Beach for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Thorns Beach is one of the towns and villages in Hampshire where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. There is also a page for Southampton.
All of SO42 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you’re just outside Thorns Beach, we cover East End (2 miles west), Norleywood (3 miles west), Hamstead (3 miles south), Cranmore (4 miles south) and Bouldnor (4 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Gosport (13 miles east), Eastleigh (15 miles north), Fareham (12 miles north-east), Totton (11 miles north), Chandler's Ford (15 miles north) and Hedge End (12 miles north-east).
Near you in Thorns Beach
For rail, the closest station is Lymington Pier station, about 3.9 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include Yarmouth Castle (4.8 miles south-west) and Beaulieu Abbey And Display Of Monastic Life (4 miles north). The countryside around Thorns Beach includes Boldre Foreshore.
For landlords and managing agents
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer.
Thorns Beach questions
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Thorns Beach?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it typically shows.
Is Thorns Beach within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where it applies, the Premium Survey.
How quickly will I get the report?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed with photos included.
Will the roof report help me negotiate with the seller?
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 can’t promise any saving.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, with 98% customer satisfaction.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
What else we do in Thorns Beach
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Thorns Beach?
Slates and tiles can outlast the nails, battens and underlay that hold them. Good slate can last well over a century, but corroded nails let slates slip. It’s a frequent finding on older houses and easy to miss from ground level.
Problems we come across often include:
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
Beaulieu Palace House lies about 3.8 miles north, so building around Thorns Beach goes back a long way. Older homes in the area can come with listed status or conservation area rules, which affect re-roofing, so check with the council before you buy.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What experience they bring
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
How the survey works
You do not need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will take it from there. The survey itself takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a small place like Thorns Beach, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- 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 we arrive
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
Arrange a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or email us.