Kent · London and the South East
Westmarsh Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Westmarsh from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Let us know your exchange date when booking
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Check we’ll be able to get into the roof space
- Request records of any re-roofing
It’s worth sharing the report with your solicitor so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. It can prompt questions about past roof work and any paperwork for it.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Avoid packing insulation into the eaves so tightly that air can’t flow.
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Westmarsh
A full home survey looks at the whole property, and the roof is only one part of it. We don’t offer a RICS home survey, and ours isn’t a substitute for one. It adds a focused look at the roof on its own, with photos of what we find and written recommendations. You can have both. Typical surveys look at flashings that have lifted or split and blistered or split felt on a flat roof, across the roof space, natural slate and lead flashings and valleys.
Older buildings in small places like Westmarsh may be listed or in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. Whether you are buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand, as well as what condition the roof is in. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Westmarsh (CT3)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Westmarsh
What else we do in Westmarsh
Westmarsh questions
Is my home in Westmarsh listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Is Westmarsh within the area you cover?
Yes. Westmarsh is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys run seven days a week. To find a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it is applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
How long does the survey visit take?
It typically takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That gives you time to use the findings, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked.
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Splits in a lead valley send water inside, and missing lead is not unknown, as it’s a target for thieves.
Why get it checked now?
Even if you go ahead regardless, knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan. The report shows what needs doing first, so you can plan work before small faults get bigger. In a place like Westmarsh, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
Why us?
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and what we found on two real jobs.
The survey, step by step
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will take it from there. A typical survey takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. In a hamlet or village like Westmarsh, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- 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.
- Inside, we check the roof space and look at the roof from windows.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Tell us about parking before the day
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Keep pets in another room
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we will recommend the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
When to book a survey in Westmarsh
Gutter problems frequently look minor from the street. Overflowing water soaks walls and can rot the timber behind. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. We check them as part of the survey.
Signs worth acting on include:
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Historic houses such as Goodnestone Park, about 4.6 miles south-west, show how far back building around Westmarsh goes. 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.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What they will not be able to tell you
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
Westmarsh homes and their roofs
Westmarsh lies within about 5 miles 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 can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about.
Landlords with a home close to Minster station may find that a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Westmarsh is about 7 miles west of Ramsgate, in Kent. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Westmarsh can all book pre-purchase roof surveys. We cover towns and villages across Kent. We also survey roofs in Canterbury.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: CT3. If you are just outside Westmarsh, we cover Ware (1 mile south), East Stourmouth (1 mile north-west), West Stourmouth (2 miles north-west), Preston (2 miles west) and Monkton (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (8 miles west), Margate (7 miles north-east), Dover (12 miles south), Ramsgate (7 miles east), Broadstairs (8 miles north-east) and Whitstable (11 miles west).
Around Westmarsh
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Way Out Inn, among other places. Westmarsh’s nearest station is Minster station, about 2.6 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include White Mill (3 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Monk's Wall nature reserve.
Can I check my roof myself?
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we look at the roof.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.