Roof surveys and inspections
A roof survey tells you what condition your roof is actually in, with photos, before you spend money on it or buy a house with it. We look at the coverings, the ridge and hips, the chimneys and leadwork, the gutters and, where we can get in, the loft, then write it up in plain English with what needs doing now, what can wait and what is fine.
When a roof survey is worth it
- Before buying a house, especially an older one where the general survey says the roof needs further investigation
- Before committing to a large quote, as a second opinion
- After a storm, to record damage for an insurance claim
- For landlords and managing agents who need a record of a roof's condition
- On a listed or conservation-area building, before planning repairs
What we check
From ladders, the scaffold if one is up, or the ground with a camera on a pole where access is limited, we look at the slates or tiles, their fixings, the ridge and hips, the verges, the valleys, the chimney stacks and their flashings, the flat roofs, the gutters and downpipes, and the roofline boards. Inside the loft we look at the underside: the felt or membrane, the battens, the rafters, signs of damp, condensation and daylight, and the insulation and ventilation.
What the report gives you
Photos of each part of the roof with a short note on its condition, a list of any defects in order of urgency, and what we would do about each one. We are honest when a roof is in good order and needs nothing.
If you are buying, the report gives you something specific to take to the seller or your mortgage lender, rather than a vague line about the roof needing attention.
Roof surveys: questions people ask
Is a roof survey the same as a homebuyer survey?
No. A general homebuyer survey looks at the whole house, usually from the ground, and often recommends a specialist look at the roof. A roof survey goes into the roof itself in detail.
Do you use drones for roof surveys?
Drone photography can show a roof without ladders, but commercial drone flights have rules on where and how they can fly. Where a drone is not suitable or allowed, we use ladders, a pole camera or the loft.
How long does a roof inspection take?
For a typical house, an hour or two on site, longer where there are several roof slopes, flat roofs or chimneys. The written report follows.
Will you try to sell me work after the survey?
The report says what the roof needs and how urgent it is, whether that is nothing at all or a full re-roof. You are free to use it to get quotes from anyone.
Tell us what is happening with your roof
Call, or send a few details and a photo if you have one. We will come back to you, arrange a visit and give you a written quote before any work starts.