Kent · London and the South East
Roof Survey in Forstal
Roof surveys around Forstal, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Loose chimney pots
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
What happens on the day
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit typically takes about 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Somewhere as small as Forstal, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You pick the package that suits your roof.
- On the day, we start by hearing what you’ve noticed.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- You get a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
How to book
If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
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How a roof survey works in Forstal
Good roofs last decades, but their parts wear at different rates. Slate often lasts a century or more, and tiles commonly half a century, but the fixings and underlay beneath them often give out sooner. We tell you which parts are ageing and which are sound. Knowing that helps you plan work before it becomes urgent. We survey flat roofs, chimney stacks and ridges, hips and valleys, and common reasons people get in touch are torn or sagging underlay and cracked or blistered flat roof coverings.
In a village or hamlet like Forstal, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. We report on what can be seen safely, and thatch is a specialist material. On older roofs, it’s usually the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
Where we cannot see part of the roof, the report says so. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Forstal (ME20)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Include dormers, porches and garages as you book
- Look for debris in the garden after high winds
- Don’t climb onto the roof yourself
- Find records of any re-roofing or repairs
Where it helps, we say which items are urgent. Some things need prompt attention, others can be planned for. It makes the next steps much clearer.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Look for water marks, damp wood and chinks of light. Take photos of anything that changes.
What a roof survey does not cover
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- A structural engineer’s report
- How the roof will behave in every kind of weather
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Ridges, hips and valleys
Roof surveys in Forstal: local notes
About 4.4 miles north lies Starkey Castle, a reminder of how long the area around Forstal has been built on. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years. Across Kent, older roofs are often handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
The streets around a church like Methodist Church Including Sunday School are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. For landlords with property near Aylesford station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let. Living close to Tyland Barn is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn.
Forstal is about 3 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. Wherever you are in Forstal, we can come and survey your property. Forstal is one of the towns and villages in Kent where we work for roof surveys.
Every address in ME20 is covered for roof surveys. Local streets include Beddow Way and Forstal Road, all of which we cover. Nearby, we also carry out roof surveys in Pratling Street (1 mile north-east), Eccles (1 mile north-west), New Hythe (2 miles west), Burham (2 miles north) and Larkfield (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (3 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (11 miles east), Dartford (15 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (13 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (15 miles south-west) and Gravesend (10 miles north-west).
What’s near Forstal
We work in homes and buildings around Aylesford School, The Bush pub and Tyland Barn and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Aylesford station, about 1.2 miles west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Medway megaliths (1 mile north) and Maidstone Hospital (2 miles south). Open spaces near Forstal include Boxley Hills and Burham Down.
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roof coverings
A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber frequently lasts 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30. We check its condition and the signs of age.
Chimney stacks
Damp on a chimney breast inside often starts with the stack outside. We check the flashings and mortar for the cause.
Questions from Forstal
I let a flat near Aylesford station. Can you check the roof?
Yes. We survey roofs for landlords, letting agents and managing agents as well as owners. Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Is Forstal within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Can you survey a roof I share with a neighbour?
Yes, we can. We inspect what the owner gives us access to. Where a defect looks to be on the neighbour’s side, the report says so.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends. To find a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
How do I arrange a roof survey in Forstal?
The quickest way is to ring 07833 053749 or email us. Give us the address and a few details about the roof. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Tell us about it when booking and we’ll explain what’s needed.
Why get it checked now?
Leaving it means relying on what you can see from ground level. That can lead to the wrong work being done, or to a real problem being missed. A survey tells you what actually needs attention. Around Forstal, older homes often have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Forstal
- 98% of customers satisfied
- A written report with photos
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Can I check my roof myself?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.