Kent · London and the South East
Waterham Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Waterham and the rest of Kent. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Waterham
Older homes frequently have roofs that have been patched over the years. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. We look closely and record what we see, with photos so you can see it for yourself. We explain each finding in plain English, so it is clear what it means for your purchase. Typical surveys look at old water stains in the roof space and a ridge or slope that dips, across clay and concrete tiles, gutters and downpipes and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
In a village or hamlet like Waterham, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. 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.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Place
- Waterham (ME13)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The roof’s overall size
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
Booking your survey
A little information up front helps. It helps to include:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
When you are ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Waterham
Waterham is within about 2 miles of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Metal fixings and flashings corrode faster in salt air, and loose ridges, slates and tiles are the first to lift in a gale. Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
In and around Waterham, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early. For landlords with property near Whitstable station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Waterham is about 3 miles south-west of Whitstable, in Kent. Roofs in Waterham get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Kent. Our Kent coverage includes Waterham. There’s also a page for Canterbury.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in ME13 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you are just outside Waterham, we cover Highstreet (1 mile east), Dargate (1 mile south), Hernhill (1 mile south-west), Graveney (1 mile west) and Culmers (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Ashford (14 miles south), Canterbury (6 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (10 miles west), Whitstable (3 miles north-east), Faversham (4 miles west) and Herne Bay (7 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Waterham
We work in homes and buildings around Seasalter Levels, among other places. The nearest railway station is Whitstable station, about 3.4 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (4 miles north-east) and Tankerton Castle (3.7 miles north-east). The countryside around Waterham includes Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
What happens on the day
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 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a hamlet or village like Waterham, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from the ground and from vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it is safe.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations before you exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Book a survey
We survey roofs seven days a week. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Advice
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, putting the urgent items at the top.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
FAQs for Waterham
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Waterham?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details like ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
Is Waterham within the area you cover?
Yes. Waterham is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days as you book.
How many surveys have you done?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
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.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That gives you time to use the findings.
Leave it or get it looked at?
It’s tempting to skip the roof to keep a sale moving. We visit on any day of the week, and the Premium Survey report arrives the same day, which helps it fit around your exchange date. For an older or listed building in a place like Waterham, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before you book.
Why us?
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- A written report with photos
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Prices that include VAT
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
How the survey changes by roof type
Gutters and parapets
The rainwater system keeps water off the walls. Leaking joints, sagging lengths and blockages are all noted, along with fascias and soffits.
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings are a common source of leaks, so they get close attention in a pre-purchase survey. We photograph any that need work.