Surrey · London and the South East
Roof survey in Merle Common, Surrey
We take a careful look at the roof at your property in Merle Common, and put it all in a written report with photos.
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Leaning or weathered chimney stacks
Roof surveys in Merle Common: local notes
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls are typical of Surrey’s older houses. Some old buildings in Surrey and Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
If you look after a building such as Holland Junior School, large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other. If you own a rental within reach of Hurst Green station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Merle Common is about 6 miles south-east of Caterham, in Surrey. Anywhere in Merle Common, we can carry out roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Merle Common is one of the places in Surrey we cover. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
Every address in RH8 is within our area for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover the places around Merle Common: Crowhurst (1 mile south-west), Troy Town (2 miles south-east), Hurst Green (2 miles north-west), Pains-Hill (2 miles north) and Crowhurst Lane End (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Epsom (14 miles north-west), Horley (8 miles west), Redhill (8 miles west), Ewell (15 miles north-west), Reigate (9 miles west) and Caterham (6 miles north-west).
Near you in Merle Common
In Merle Common, that means homes and buildings near Oxted School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Hurst Green station, roughly 1.4 miles north of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Tandridge Priory (2.1 miles north) and Haxted Watermill Museum (2.5 miles south). Not far away are Botley Hill and Bay Pond.
How a roof survey works in Merle Common
Everything we check, we check safely: from ground level, from windows and other vantage points, from inside the loft and from the roof itself where it is safe. Premium adds thermal imaging, plus a drone inspection where it applies, which helps with tall or steep roofs. You do not need to do anything except give us access. Each defect we find is photographed and explained. We survey natural slate, the roof space and ridges, hips and valleys, and common reasons people get in touch are standing water on a flat roof and worn lead at chimneys and abutments.
Some older homes in villages like Merle Common are listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Older materials like clay tiles, slate and stone are often matched when work is done.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photograph where possible.
- Place
- Merle Common (RH8)
- Region
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
When to book a survey in Merle Common
Every roof takes years of rain, wind, sun and frost. Strong gusts work at anything that isn’t firmly fixed, and rain finds any gap it can. What starts as one slipped slate can become a leak.
People usually book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
With Chartwell about 3.3 miles north-east, the area around Merle Common has a long history. Older roofs nearby frequently mix original materials with later repairs, and the survey shows where each one is.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Their report turnaround times
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
FAQs for Merle Common
Is Merle Common within the area you cover?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
I let a flat near Hurst Green station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
How soon is the report ready?
It depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. We send it by email.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there’s safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only when it’s safe. We also use views from the ground, windows and the roof space, and Premium includes a drone where it applies.
Tips that help
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Clear the loft hatch area before we arrive
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
- Take photos of any leaks as they happen
- Don’t climb onto the roof yourself
Your report arrives by email. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Each finding is set out in plain English, with recommendations.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after major storms. Regular checks catch problems while they’re small. Each report gives a record to compare against.
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
We look at the stack itself, and it isn’t a flue or gas safety check. We will tell you if the flue needs a specialist.
Concrete interlocking tiles
Interlocking tiles on shallow roofs depend on their laps and fixings. Lifted or cracked tiles are noted.
Places near Merle Common
More services for Merle Common
Prices for roof surveys in Merle Common
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- Roof area
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- House, block, shop or office
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What to tell us when you contact us
There’s no need for technical words. Just tell us:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- What’s prompted the survey
- What kind of property and roof it is
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as homeowners. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photos, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Merle Common and across Surrey can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
How the survey works
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. After that, we check everything we can see safely. The survey usually takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. For a village or hamlet like Merle Common, the journey is planned ahead of time: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- We help you choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- On the day, we start by hearing what you’ve noticed.
- Coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- The report is emailed with findings and recommendations.
Before the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
How to book
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.