Greater London · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Wennington, Greater London
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Wennington from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Wennington
Older homes often 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. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. Common reasons to book are quick fixes on flashings and valleys and slipped or missing slates and tiles, across the roof space, lead flashings and valleys and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
London terraces and converted houses often share a roof line, chimney stacks and gutters with the house next door. For a purchase or a new roof in Wennington, that shapes what can be checked: we inspect what we’re given access to and can see safely, which may not include a neighbour’s side. For a flat, the lease typically says who looks after the roof.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later.
- Where
- Wennington (RM13)
- Region
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Wennington homes and their roofs
Outer London has plenty of Victorian and Edwardian terraces with slate roofs, but also a great many interwar semis, often with hipped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. If your home in Wennington is one of them, bay roofs, hips and later dormers each have their own details. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you live in an older home near St Mary and St Peter's Church, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light. Rainham Hall, about 1.5 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Wennington. If you’re buying an older home nearby, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Wennington is about 4 miles south of Hornchurch, in Greater London. Whether the building in Wennington is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Wennington is one of the towns and villages in Greater London where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. Our London page covers surveys nearby.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: RM13. We also cover the places around Wennington: Aveley (1 mile east), Hacton (2 miles north), South Ockendon (3 miles east), Upminster Bridge (4 miles north) and Hornchurch (4 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as London (14 miles west), St Pancras (15 miles west), Shoreditch (13 miles west), Walthamstow (12 miles north-west), Hoxton (13 miles west) and Whitechapel (12 miles west).
Local landmarks in Wennington
In Wennington, that means homes and buildings near Lennard Arms Inn, Wildspace Conservation Park and Harris Academy Rainham, among other places. Wennington’s nearest station is Rainham (Essex) station, roughly 1.4 miles north-west. A little further out are St George's Hospital (2.8 miles north) and Erith Museum (2.5 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve.
Places near Wennington
What else we do in Wennington
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Wennington?
A chimney stack stands out in the wind and rain. Mortar erodes, the flaunching around the pots cracks and the flashings work loose. A stack may be shared with the neighbours, which can affect how any work is arranged.
Common reasons to book include:
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
For landlords with property near Rainham (Essex) station, it is worth knowing a roof’s condition before you buy it, or before you sign off new roofing work on it.
Before you book anyone
- Their report turnaround times
- Are they insured for the work?
- What exactly goes into their report
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
The survey, step by step
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. In Wennington, as in much of London, lots of properties are flats or terraces without side access, so the back of the roof is frequently seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when you book.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it’s safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Book a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form whenever suits you.
Related advice
Roof by roof
Natural slate
Older slate roofs often have bitumen felt under them, and very old ones may have none. Where we can see it from the loft, we say what condition it is in.
Flat roofs
A flat roof that has been coated over several times may hide problems underneath. We say when the covering would need opening up to know more.
Tips that help
Small things make a difference. Our tips:
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Each defect is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
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.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Wennington
Are there drone restrictions around Wennington?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. London’s airspace includes flight restriction zones around Heathrow, London City Airport and London Heliport, and restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Every London address is checked against them before a flight. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
Is parking a problem for a survey in Wennington?
Parking in Wennington, as in most of London, takes a little planning: a visitor permit or a bay close to the door helps a lot, so mention what’s available when booking.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Only where it’s safe. We also inspect from ground level, upper windows and the roof space.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Wennington?
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what you want to find out. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it normally takes an hour or two on an ordinary house, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you as you book.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Wennington
To price your survey, we look at:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The size of the roof
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What to let us know when you get in touch
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Anything about access we should know
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
When you need someone else
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, so a survey has limits:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Wennington
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes