Medway · London and the South East
Upper Upnor Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Upper Upnor, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Old water stains in the roof space
Useful tips for Upper Upnor property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the defects and where they are, so each quote covers the same ground.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly after autumn. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Upper Upnor
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. Standard adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. Premium goes further, with thermal imaging, a drone where it applies and a same-day report. Choose the level that suits the home you are buying. All three include a written report with photographs and recommendations. We survey natural slate, chimney stacks and clay and concrete tiles, and common reasons people get in touch are patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem and gaps where slates or tiles have come loose.
For a small place like Upper Upnor, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed in advance. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at as you book, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you are buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Visits can be booked seven days a week.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Where
- Upper Upnor (ME2)
- Region
- Medway
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, so a survey has limits:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- The condition of the rest of the house (that’s a RICS home survey)
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll point you to the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Upper Upnor
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
Buying a home or a new roof in Upper Upnor
Upper Upnor is within about 2 miles of the coast, so there’s more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Metal fixings and flashings corrode faster in salt air, and loose ridges, slates and tiles are the first to lift in a gale, so exposed details get a careful look whether you’re buying or signing off new work. Restoration House, about 1.6 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Upper Upnor. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you own a rental within reach of Strood station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Upper Upnor is about 2 miles north-east of Rochester, in Medway. Anywhere in Upper Upnor, we can carry out pre-purchase roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Across Medway, we cover Upper Upnor and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
All of ME2 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys. You’ll find streets such as High Street, Upnor Road and Castle Street. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Lower Upnor (1 mile north-east), Wainscott (1 mile north-west), Chattenden (1 mile north), Hoo St Werburgh (2 miles north-east) and Cooling Street (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Gillingham (3 miles south-east), Chatham (3 miles south), Rainham (5 miles south-east), Luton (3 miles south), Park Wood (5 miles south-east) and Lordswood (5 miles south).
Near you in Upper Upnor
We work in homes and buildings around The Kings Arms, Lower Lines Park and Waterfront University Technical College. Other local landmarks include Former Ordnance Store At Chatham Gun Wharf (1.4 miles south) and Waterfront UTC (1.3 miles south-east). Upper Upnor’s nearest station is Strood station, about 1.2 miles south-west. A little further out are French Hospital (1.5 miles south-west) and Pentagon Shopping Centre (1.6 miles south). For a walk, there is Gad's Hill and Rede Common.
What happens on the day
Once we’ve finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photographs, emailed to you. On timing, most surveys take about 1–2 hours for a house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Older roofs in small places like Upper Upnor can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Check we can get to the back of the property
Arrange a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book and it will help the survey.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Also near Upper Upnor
Also in Upper Upnor
Why it’s worth a survey now in Upper Upnor
A good many buyers go ahead anyway, but with their eyes open. You will know which jobs are urgent and which can wait, and you can line up a roofer before small faults grow. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Upper Upnor
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- An independent view of the roof
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Common questions in Upper Upnor
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Upper Upnor?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Upper Upnor is within about 2 miles of the coast.
How do I find out if my home in Upper Upnor is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Will you need to get into the loft?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
When will the report arrive?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. We send it by email with photos included.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That way you can still act on what we find.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys run seven days a week. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Common roof problems in Upper Upnor
Rear extensions, dormers and garages often have flat roofs. Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, and standing water, blisters and splits are typical signs of ageing. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, especially when they’re only visible from an upper floor.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
Take an older house close to St Philip & St James: older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
What to check before booking
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What experience they bring