Kent · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Upchurch, Kent
Independent pre-purchase roof surveys in Upchurch. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
How we price 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
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Booking your survey
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. Just tell us:
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
When you are ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Upchurch
Buying a flat brings its own roof questions. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company, with costs often passed on through the service charge. We inspect what access allows us to see safely, and the report gives you clear points to raise with your solicitor or the managing agent. If the building has a flat roof, we check that too where access allows. We survey chimney stacks, clay and concrete tiles and flat-roofed extensions and dormers, and the problems we are asked to look at most are bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and gutters that overflow or drip at the joints.
Being in a small place like Upchurch makes no difference to the inspection itself: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
It isn’t only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Place
- Upchurch (ME9, ME8)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
Once the home is yours, the report becomes a maintenance list. Work through the urgent items before anything else, and keep the photos to compare against later. The Premium Survey includes a 12-month follow-up.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have dropped. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
What this survey can’t tell you
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- The condition of the rest of the house (that’s a RICS home survey)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we look at
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
For landlords and managing agents
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, with the most urgent items set out first.
How the survey works
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take about one to two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Around Upchurch, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it is useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it’s safe.
- 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.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Before the survey
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
How to book
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
Buying a home or a new roof in Upchurch
Upchurch lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and wind near 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. Older houses across Kent frequently have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary the Virgin: the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Upchurch is about 3 miles east of Gillingham, in Kent. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Upchurch. Upchurch is one of the towns and villages in Kent we cover. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
Surveys in ME9 and ME8 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on The Street, Crosier Court and Horsham Lane. Close by, we survey roofs in Lower Halstow (1 mile east), Breach (1 mile south), Moor Street (1 mile south-west), Lower Rainham (1 mile west) and Newington (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (9 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (4 miles south-east), Gravesend (12 miles west), Faversham (11 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles west) and Minster (7 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Upchurch
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Leigh Academy Rainham and Berengrave Chalk Pit, among other places. The nearest railway station is Rainham (Kent) station, about 1.6 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are Medway Maritime Hospital (4.5 miles west) and Bayford Court (4.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Bishop Saltings.
Nearby places to Upchurch
Other services in Upchurch
Questions from Upchurch
How do I find out if my home in Upchurch is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Upchurch?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. From the roof space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, and you get a written report with photos. It is not a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
Do you work in Upchurch?
Yes. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Upchurch, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
When to book a survey in Upchurch
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and standing water, blisters and splits are typical signs of ageing. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, because many can only be seen from an upstairs window.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
For landlords with property near Rainham (Kent) station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Their track record with similar roofs