Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Ramsden Roof Survey
A careful look at the roof at your property in Ramsden, with photographs and a written report.
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
What we do, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and make notes for the report. It normally takes about 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Older rural homes like those around Ramsden can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You pick the package that suits your roof.
- We arrive at the agreed time and talk through any concerns.
- Coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Extra checks are carried out where your package includes them.
- The report is emailed with findings and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Arrange a survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Roof survey in Ramsden: what you get
Across London and South East England, roofs differ widely. 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. Common reasons to book are slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles and leaking gutter joints and downpipes, on ridges, hips and valleys, flat roofs and the roof space.
In a small place like Ramsden, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Location
- Ramsden (OX7)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Confirmation of asbestos in soffits or cement sheets
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- A structural engineer’s report
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roofs
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
Ramsden questions
Can a landlord with a rental near Finstock station book a roof survey?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details, including who will give access on the day.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ramsden?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We will rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it typically takes about one to two hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Report times depend on the package.
What’s the best way to book?
Simply ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Only when it’s safe. We also use views from the ground, windows and the roof space.
Can you check whether my roof contains asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, like cement sheets or soffits on older buildings, we flag them so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before any work.
Local roofs in Ramsden
Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often 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. Whatever the covering, it is often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Historic houses like Minster Lovell Hall, about 3.1 miles south-west, show how far back building around Ramsden goes. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done. If you look after a building such as Finstock Church of England Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Ramsden is about 3 miles north of Witney, in Oxfordshire. Ramsden is one of many places we visit across Oxfordshire, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire. We also survey roofs in Oxford.
All of OX7 is within our area for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof survey at a property on High Street and Wilcote Lane or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for roof surveys include Finstock (1 mile north-east), Delly End (1 mile south), Fawler (2 miles north-east), Hailey (2 miles south) and Poffley End (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (12 miles south-east), Bicester (15 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (14 miles south-east), Witney (3 miles south), Carterton (7 miles south-west) and Faringdon (13 miles south).
Near you in Ramsden
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Royal Oak Public House. For rail, the closest station is Finstock station, roughly 1.4 miles north-east. Nearby you will also find Cogges Manor Farm Museum (3.6 miles south). The countryside around Ramsden includes Blenheim Farm.
Useful tips for Ramsden property owners
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Watch for slipped slates after bad weather
- File the report with your home documents
- Take photos of any leaks as they happen
If you need work done, the report gives roofers a clear brief. The photos show what we found and where, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Have gutters and valleys cleared regularly, particularly after autumn. Leave the clearing to a professional. Clear gutters prevent a lot of damp.
Signs you need a roof survey in Ramsden
Blocked gutters cause a surprising amount of damage. Once leaves and moss block a gutter, water spills down the brickwork. Hidden gutters behind parapets and in valleys can send water indoors, especially near trees.
Look out for signs like these:
- Torn or sagging underlay
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Debris building up in roof valleys
- Crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching
Landlords with a home close to Finstock station may find that knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Questions to ask before you book
- What insurance they carry
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What happens after the report arrives
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, yet the nails holding it often fail long before the slate. Slipped, cracked and missing slates are all noted.
Flat roof coverings
Standing water, blisters and splits all point to wear. We also look at the edges, upstands and outlets, since leaks often start there.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Leaving it means relying on what you can see from ground level. That can lead to the wrong work being done, or miss the fault that matters. A survey tells you what actually needs attention. Around Ramsden, older homes often have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Price depends partly on the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, inc. VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why book us in Ramsden
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Visits on any day of the week
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
See our cost guide and two real surveys.