Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Roof survey in Cowes, Isle of Wight
We carry out roof surveys in Cowes and the rest of the Isle of Wight. We survey on any day of the week.
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Worn or blocked valleys
- Gaps in the roof where coverings have gone
What a roof survey doesn’t cover
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- How the roof will behave in every kind of weather
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we look at
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
About our roof survey in Cowes
Roofs vary a lot across London and the South East. A Victorian or Edwardian terrace may have slate, a central valley gutter and parapet walls, while many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles. Whatever yours has, the survey is adapted to it. Older tiled homes may have clay plain tiles, and many homes have a flat-roofed extension too. Each part is checked in the way that suits it. If you are worried about valley linings that have cracked or split and slates or tiles that have slipped or broken, we can find out what’s behind it.
Around Cowes, semis and terraces share chimneys, gutters and roof lines with the house next door. When a stack or gutter is shared, the problem may not be on your side alone. Shared parts are looked at as far as they can be seen safely from the property we are surveying. It’s useful to mention any shared stacks or gutters as you book.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters, each with a short note and a photograph. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Location
- Cowes (PO31)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit typically takes an hour or two at a typical home, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. A typical visit in Cowes begins with the street side of the roof and then moves round the building. The back garden is often where extensions, dormers and rear slopes are best seen, so unlocked gates help. Then, if it can be reached safely, we look in the loft.
- We start by hearing what you’d like checked and why.
- We arrange a day that suits you, including weekends.
- The roof is inspected from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and photograph what we find.
- We email a report with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Getting a price
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before booking.
Read more
Different roofs, different checks
Concrete interlocking tiles
On low-pitched roofs, the laps and fixings of interlocking tiles matter. Lifted or cracked tiles are noted.
Natural slate
From the loft, we look at the underside of a slate roof. Older roofs may have bitumen felt underlay, and very old roofs none.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Cowes
Cowes is within about 2 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. With Osborne House about 1.7 miles east, Cowes sits in an area with a long building history. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead.
If you live in an older home near St. Faith's Church, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. If you look after a building such as Cowes Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Cowes is about 8 miles south-west of Gosport, in the Isle of Wight. We cover Cowes and the rest of the Isle of Wight. Our the Isle of Wight coverage includes Cowes and the places around it. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Here we cover the PO31 postcode area for roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Church Road, Market Hill and High Street. Being close to the A3020 and B3320, Cowes is simple for us to get to for roof surveys. We also cover the places around Cowes: Gurnard (1 mile west), Northwood (1 mile south), Rew Street (1 mile south-west), Noke Common (3 miles south) and Parkhurst (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Newport (4 miles south), Ryde (7 miles east), Sandown (10 miles south-east), Shanklin (10 miles south-east), Ventnor (12 miles south) and Oakfield (7 miles east). As one of the bigger places in the Isle of Wight, Cowes has every kind of building, from houses and flats to offices. If you are somewhere remote, the survey takes a little more planning, so mention it as you book.
Near you in Cowes
Around Cowes, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Painters Arms, Isle of Wight Studio School and Cowes Enterprise College and the streets around them. Other landmarks nearby include Isle of Wight Natural History Centre (0.5 miles south-west) and West Cowes Castle (0.7 miles north). For a walk, there is Briddlesford Nature Reserve and Mill Hill.
Your questions about roof surveys in Cowes
Is the coastal weather around Cowes hard on roofs?
Often, yes. Cowes is within about 2 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Is my home in Cowes listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. 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.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
Not as a figure. We describe the condition of each part of the roof and how it is wearing, and we say what needs attention and how urgently.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Can you survey a roof I share with a neighbour?
Yes, the part you own or can give access to. Next door’s roof is only inspected as far as we can see it. Shared stacks and upstands are looked at from your property.
Are you insured?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and details are available on request.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Many roofs go years without anyone looking at them closely. A survey sets a baseline, which makes later changes easy to spot. Extensions and dormers on homes around Cowes often hide the first signs of trouble at their joints with the main roof. A few wet winters later, it can mean new plaster and decorating as well as roof work.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why book us in Cowes
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Surveys seven days a week
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
See our cost guide or our case studies.
Towns and villages near Cowes
Also in Cowes
What affects the cost of roof surveys
Our packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The roof’s overall size
Prices start from £150, with VAT included, for a Basic Survey. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both with VAT included. We confirm the exact price before booking.
What we need to know
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, tell us:
- The address and postcode of the property
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
When you’re ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
What you can safely check yourself
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That is where a survey comes in.