Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Roof survey in Clifton, Oxfordshire
Roof surveys in Clifton from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
Roof surveys in Clifton: local notes
England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so check with the council. Older buildings in west Oxfordshire frequently have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
Landlords with a home close to Kings Sutton station may find that knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. In and around Clifton, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
Clifton is about 6 miles south-east of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. We carry out roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Clifton. Across Oxfordshire, we cover Clifton and the places around it. Our Oxford page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in OX15 is covered for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include County View, Tithe Lane and Clifton Road. Neighbouring places we cover for roof surveys include Somerton (2 miles south), Souldern (2 miles east), Fritwell (3 miles south-east) and Upper Heyford (4 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Banbury (6 miles north-west), Bicester (8 miles south-east), Kidlington (11 miles south), Bure Park (8 miles south-east), Chipping Norton (11 miles west) and Headington (15 miles south).
Around Clifton
In Clifton, that means homes and buildings near Duke Of Cumberlands Head Public House. For rail, the closest station is Kings Sutton station, about 2.7 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Horton General Hospital (5.3 miles north) and Deddington Castle (1.1 miles west).
Roof survey in Clifton
Roofs vary a lot across London and South East England. A Victorian or Edwardian terrace may have slate, a central valley gutter and parapet walls, and many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles instead. We adapt the survey to the roof in front of us. Some older homes have clay tiles, and many have a flat-roofed extension as well. Each part is checked in the way that suits it. We survey lead flashings, clay and concrete tiles and natural slate, and people most frequently book us about flashings that have come away from the wall and water stains on rafters and ceiling joists.
In a small place like Clifton, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.

- Place
- Clifton (OX15)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Leave it or get it looked at?
Many roofs go years without anyone looking at them closely. Our report gives you a record of how the roof is today, which makes later changes easy to spot. Outbuildings and barns around Clifton are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It’s worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
Why book us in Clifton
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Package prices that include VAT
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
What a roof survey doesn’t cover
A survey is a careful look at the roof, but it can’t do everything. Its limits include:
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- The condition of the rest of the building (that’s a RICS home survey)
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Clifton
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Flat roofs
- Natural slate
- The roof space
Can I check my roof myself?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry.
Different roofs, different checks
Concrete interlocking tiles
Mortar at ridges and verges frequently cracks on tiled roofs. We check for loose ridge tiles and missing mortar, as wind can lift them.
Flat roof coverings
Ponding, blistering, splits and cracked surfaces are the common warning signs. Upstands and outlets are checked too.
Tips that help
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Leave roof access to professionals
- Clear the loft hatch area before we arrive
- Take photos of any leaks as they happen
- Look for debris in the garden after high winds
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. It is a chance to ask questions about anything in the report.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Watch for stains, damp timbers and daylight through the roof. Take photos of anything that changes.
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take between one and two hours at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. In a hamlet or village like Clifton, 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.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- Outside, we inspect from the ground, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there is safe access.
- We email a written report with photographs and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Check we can get to the back of the property
Booking a survey
We survey roofs seven days a week. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Questions from Clifton
Is my home in Clifton listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Will you come out to Clifton?
Yes. Clifton is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Will the report say how many years my roof has left?
We do not put a figure on it, because so much depends on the fixings, underlay and upkeep. What we do is explain the roof’s condition and what to deal with first.
Will you check the loft?
Normally, if there’s one and it can be reached safely. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
Is a roof survey the same as a structural survey?
No. Where we see something that needs a structural engineer, the report says so. We don’t provide structural calculations.
Can you inspect a terraced or semi-detached roof?
Yes. We inspect what the owner gives us access to. If a problem seems to come from next door, we will say so.
Do you go up on the roof?
When the roof and the conditions make it safe, yes. We also use views from ground level, windows and the loft space.