Greater London · London and the South East
Roof survey in Westminster, Greater London
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings in Westminster, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Get in touch for a price.
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
How a roof survey works in Westminster
Most houses have more than one roof to look at. Rear extensions, dormers, porches and garages frequently have flat roofs. They’re included alongside the main roof, including signs of standing water, splits and tired upstands. A flat roof normally wears out sooner than a pitched one. Felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber can last 30 to 50. Typical surveys look at worn lead at chimneys and abutments and loose ridge or hip tiles, across clay and concrete tiles, the roof space and flat roofs.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces are found right across London, often with slate roofs, chimney stacks shared with neighbours and gutters hidden behind parapets. Good slates can last over a hundred years, yet the nails often give out first and let slates slip. Homes in Westminster are no exception. Shared chimney stacks and the lead around them are just as important to check.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photos show what each point refers to.
- Where
- Westminster (SW1P, W1J, SW1V)
- Region
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Prices for roof surveys in Westminster
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Height and safe access
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Some details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:
- What made you get in touch
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- The kind of building and roof involved
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
What we look for on each type of roof
Clay plain and peg tiles
Tile-hanging on walls and dormer cheeks is checked as part of the roof where it is relevant. Gaps in tile-hanging let water reach the wall behind.
Chimney stacks
We look at the stack itself, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. We will tell you if the flue needs a specialist.
Roof surveys around Westminster
The flight restriction zone around London Heliport in Battersea comes within about 1 mile of Westminster. If your survey includes the drone, we check the exact boundary for the address before flying. About 0.4 miles north-west lies Clarence House, a reminder of how long the area around Westminster has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Homes near green spaces like St James's Park can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. For an older house near a landmark such as Christ Church, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Westminster is about 1 mile south-east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. Westminster is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages.
All of SW1P, W1J and SW1V is within our area for roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Eaton Lane, Wilton Road and Castle Lane and the roads around them. You will find Westminster on the A4 and A202, so it’s easy for us to get to. We also cover the places around Westminster: Millbank (1 mile north), Victoria (1 mile south-west), Pimlico (1 mile south), Vauxhall (1 mile south-east) and Lambeth (1 mile south-east). Further out, we also cover Kensington (3 miles west), Shoreditch (3 miles north-east), Walthamstow (8 miles north-east), Hoxton (3 miles north-east), Whitechapel (3 miles north-east) and Hampstead (4 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Westminster
In Westminster, that means homes and buildings near St Matthew's School, St James's Park and Blewcoat School and the streets around them. Also close by are London Library (0.6 miles north) and Grafton Arms (less than half a mile south). The closest station to Westminster is London Victoria station, about 0.6 miles south-west. Other landmarks nearby include Westminster Hospital (less than half a mile east) and The Crime Museum (less than half a mile south). For a walk, there is Barnsbury Wood and St. James's Park Lake.
Common roof problems in Westminster
Not every roof problem comes from outside. A badly ventilated loft collects condensation, wetting timbers and insulation. It’s often mistaken for a leak.
Look out for signs like these:
- Crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
For businesses in and around places such as Kingly Court, a dated report on the roof is useful for planning and for any lease discussions.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- What experience they bring
- How soon the report will arrive
Towns and villages near Westminster
What else we do in Westminster
When you need someone else
It is a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Flat roofs
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Natural slate
FAQs for Westminster
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Westminster?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Westminster?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. The flight restriction zone around London Heliport in Battersea comes within about 1 mile of Westminster. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. Westminster is about 2 miles from the restricted area over Hyde Park, where drone flights need permission from NATS. We check whether the address falls inside it, and if it does we apply for permission, which is not always given. London’s airspace includes flight restriction zones around Heathrow, London City Airport and London Heliport, and restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Each address is checked against all of them before the drone goes up. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Where it is safe, yes. We also inspect from ground level, from windows and vantage points, and from the loft. On Premium, a drone is used where applicable.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, if the building owner or managing agent agrees access. We check the parts we’re given access to.
How do I arrange a roof survey in Westminster?
Simply phone 07833 053749 or email us. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
How it works
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photographs as we go and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. In Westminster, as in much of London, a good many properties are flats or terraces without side access, so the back of the roof is frequently seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. If the building has a managing agent or access rules, tell us when you book.
- 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.
- You get a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, call 07833 053749 or email us.