Medway · London and the South East
Roof Survey in Borstal
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings for Borstal, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
Roof survey in Borstal: what you get
Many homes have several roofs, not just one. Rear extensions, dormers, porches and garages often have flat roofs. They’re included alongside the main roof, including signs of standing water, splits and tired upstands. A flat roof typically wears out sooner than a pitched one, so they deserve a close look. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber can last 30 to 50. We survey the roof space, ridges, hips and valleys and clay and concrete tiles, and people most frequently book us about ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs and crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching.
Around Borstal, older cottages sit alongside bungalows and newer houses. Older roofs can have slate, clay tiles or other traditional coverings, while many later ones have concrete tiles. On older homes, chimney stacks, valleys and gutters are normally where the work is. Nails and battens under older coverings often give out before the slates or tiles themselves.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, like when you want to compare after future work.
- Where
- Borstal (ME1, ME2)
- Region
- Medway
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Before you put a home on the market, it helps to know the roof’s condition. You can deal with defects before a buyer’s surveyor finds them, or at least know what to expect. In a smaller place like Borstal, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing doesn’t stay loose for long. Each storm lifts it a little further, and water follows.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all including VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Borstal
- 98% customer satisfaction
- PI and public liability insurance
- Every finding written up with photos
- Prices that include VAT
Common roof problems in Borstal
Wherever a roof meets a wall, a chimney or another roof, a flashing keeps water out. Lead can crack, lift or slip with age, and mortar fillets crack. Missing lead is not unusual either, as thieves target it.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
- Torn or sagging underlay
Take a building like St William of Perth Roman Catholic Primary School: a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Questions to ask before you book
- What insurance they carry
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- When you will get the report
Common questions in Borstal
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Borstal?
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.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Borstal?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Rochester Airport is about 2 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
How much does a roof survey cost in Borstal?
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before you book, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Is a roof survey the same as a structural survey?
No. If we see signs that need an engineer, such as serious sagging, we’ll say so. We don’t provide structural calculations.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If the survey needs it and the roof space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft cannot be reached safely, the report says so.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Borstal homes and their roofs
Borstal is within about 4 miles of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. The wider area around Borstal has a long history of building, with Temple Manor about 1 mile north. 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.
Trees in and around Baty's Marsh shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters. If you let a flat or house near Cuxton station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Borstal is about 1 mile south-west of Rochester, in Medway. We carry out roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Borstal. Borstal is one of the towns and villages in Medway we cover for roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
Roof surveys in ME1 and ME2 are booked the same way as anywhere else. You will find streets such as Hill Road, Manor Lane and Mount Road. Being close to the M2, Borstal is simple for us to get to for roof surveys. We also cover the places around Borstal: Rochester (1 mile north-east), Strood (1 mile north), Cuxton (1 mile west), North Halling (2 miles west) and Wouldham (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Gillingham (4 miles east), Rainham (5 miles east), Park Wood (5 miles east), Lordswood (4 miles south-east), Twydall (4 miles east) and Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north-east).
Around Borstal
We work in homes and buildings around Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, Former Ordnance Store At Chatham Gun Wharf and St John Fisher RC Comprehensive School, among other places. The closest station to Borstal is Cuxton station, about 1 mile west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Six Poor Travellers House (1.3 miles north-east) and Rochester Castle (1.3 miles north-east). The countryside around Borstal includes Blue Bell Hill and Ranscombe Farm.
How the survey works
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes between one and two hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. A visit to Borstal is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed ahead of time. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- You let us know the address, the type of roof and what’s worrying you.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- We check the roof from every safe viewpoint outside.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there’s safe access.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
How to prepare
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or email us, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Towns and villages near Borstal
Also in Borstal
What a roof survey does not cover
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, so a survey has limits:
- Walls, floors and services below the roof
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- A structural engineer’s report
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Lead flashings
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Natural slate
- Ridges, hips and valleys
Checking the roof from ground level
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we check the roof.
What affects the price in Borstal
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Roof area
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Basic, Standard or Premium
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Helping us price your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- The property’s address and postcode
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.