Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Howe Hill Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out roof surveys in Howe Hill and across Oxfordshire, with plain-English findings.
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
How a roof survey works in Howe Hill
Good roofs last decades, but their parts wear at different rates. Natural slate can last 100 years or more, and clay and concrete tiles commonly 50 years or more, yet nails, battens and underlay often fail first. A survey shows which parts of your roof are wearing. That lets you plan work in good time rather than after a leak. We survey clay and concrete tiles, chimney stacks and the roof space, and people most often book us about standing water on a flat roof and loose chimney pots.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. It is useful right away, and a good reference for later.
- Where
- Howe Hill (OX49)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. The whole visit usually takes about one to two hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In a small place like Howe Hill, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- 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 look at the roof from every safe vantage point outside.
- We then look in the loft for damp, staining and the condition of the underlay.
- We email a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof coverings
Repeated coatings can hide what’s underneath. If the covering would need opening up to know more, we say so.
Lead flashings and valleys
Most leaks begin at a joint rather than the middle of a slope. They get particular attention in every survey.
What this survey can’t tell you
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- A structural engineer’s report
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Walls, floors and services below the roof
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings
Tips that help
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- File the report with your home documents
- Take photos of any leaks as they happen
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Move stored items away from the loft hatch
The recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant. Some faults need dealing with soon, while others can wait for planned work. That helps you decide what to do first.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after major storms. Regular checks catch problems while they’re small. Compare each report with the last.
What a roof survey looks like in Howe Hill
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Older buildings in west Oxfordshire frequently have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
If you look after a building such as Icknield Community College, large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other.
Howe Hill is about 9 miles south of Thame, in Oxfordshire. Roofs in Howe Hill get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Oxfordshire. Howe Hill is one of the towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover for roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Reading.
All of OX49 is covered for roof surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Cookley Green (1 mile south), Christmas Common (1 mile north-east), Northend (2 miles east), Shirburn (3 miles north) and Stonor (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Oxford (14 miles north-west), Didcot (11 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles west), Thame (9 miles north), Henley-on-Thames (7 miles south-east) and Benson (5 miles west).
What’s near Howe Hill
For a walk, there’s Warburg Nature Reserve and Bald Hill.
Signs you need a roof survey in Howe Hill
A chimney stack takes more weather than almost any other part of a roof. Pointing erodes, flaunching cracks and pots work loose. Water that gets into a stack can show up as damp in the rooms below.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Worn or blocked valleys
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Flashings that have come away from the wall
Stonor Park lies about 3.2 miles south-east, so building around Howe Hill goes back a long way. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What experience they bring
Places near Howe Hill
Also in Howe Hill
DIY checks: what’s safe
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Howe Hill: your questions answered
Is Howe Hill in the area you cover?
Yes, Howe Hill is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Is Howe Hill within the area you cover?
Yes. Howe Hill is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Do you carry out asbestos surveys?
No. Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999, so older buildings may have it. We flag materials that could contain it, and recommends a specialist asbestos surveyor looks at them.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Can you tell me how long my roof will last?
Not as a figure. The report explains the condition of each part and the signs of wear, and we say what needs attention and how urgently.