Homebuyer roof survey
Roof survey before you buy a house
Your homebuyer’s survey says the roof “needs further investigation”. We’re the further investigation. A roofer gets up close, checks every part of the roof and sends you a written report with photos and costs, so you know what you’re buying before you exchange.
From £280 + VAT · report usually within 48 hours
Why buyers book a separate roof survey
A full building survey covers the whole house, so the roof gets a few lines, usually written from the ground or a loft hatch. Roofs are one of the most expensive things to get wrong on an older property, and the problems that cost the most, like tired timbers, failing flashings or a covering near the end of its life, are hard to judge from below.
We repair and replace roofs every week, so we know what a problem will cost to fix, not just that it exists.
- Tiles or slates, ridges, hips and valleys
- Chimneys, pointing and lead flashings
- Roof timbers, felt and moisture readings from the loft
- Gutters, fascias, soffits and any flat roofs
- Estimated repair costs, so you can negotiate on price
What a Tilley’s roof report looks like
Every survey ends with a written report: what we found in each part of the roof, photos of the defects, and a numbered list of what to do about them, most urgent first. This is from a recent survey on a terraced house with a slate roof, a clay tile roof and a flat roof at the back.
Taken from a real report from October 2026. We’ve removed the customer’s address.
Using the report to negotiate
Because the report lists the work with estimated costs, it gives you something concrete to take to the seller. Buyers use it to agree a lower price, ask for repairs to be done before completion, or simply to budget for the first few years in the house.
If the roof turns out to be sound, that’s worth knowing too.
Prices
House roof survey
From £280 + VAT
For example a 2 to 3 bed terrace, subject to location.
Flat roof only
From £180 + VAT
Extensions, garages and dormers.
Bigger or harder to reach roofs cost more. We confirm the price before we book you in.
What customers say about our roof surveys
The team at Tilley's were very responsive to my initial enquiry and George came out a few days later to do the survey. He was very thorough, and gave me exactly the information I will need to get the relevant roof repairs done. It was well worth the money, I have been scammed by roofers before so was nervous about getting my roof re-done, but this survey has pointed out all the work that needs to be done, and importantly, what is not required.
Really impressed with Tilley’s. They communicated well throughout and reliably arrived when they said they would. George was very personable and the report was with us within 24 hours which exceeded expectations. We will certainly use them again and glad to have found a reputable company.
It was a pleasure dealing with Tilleys Roofing. They provided an excellent, detailed report with clear pictures and handled everything professionally. Unlike some roofing companies, they did not make a drama out of the works. Highly recommended for reliable, stress-free roofing services!
How it works
- Get in touchTell us the address, the type of roof and why you need the survey. We’ll give you a price and a date.
- We inspectMost house roofs take between 30 minutes and two hours on site.
- You get the reportUsually within 48 hours, by email, with photos of everything we mention.
- You decideThe report is yours. If you want us to do any of the work, we’ll quote for it separately.
Homebuyer roof survey questions
Do I need a roof survey if I’ve already had a homebuyer’s survey?
Often, yes. A general homebuyer’s survey usually looks at the roof from the ground and will say “further investigation recommended” if something looks wrong. We get up close and tell you what the problem actually is, what it will cost to put right and how urgent it is.
How quickly can you do a roof survey before exchange?
Tell us your deadline when you get in touch and we’ll do our best to fit around it. Most house roofs take 30 minutes to two hours on site, and the report usually follows within 48 hours.
Can I use the report to negotiate on the price?
Yes. The report is yours. Many buyers send it to the seller or their solicitor to support a lower offer or ask for repairs before completion. Where it helps, we include estimated costs for the work.
How much is a pre-purchase roof survey?
A house roof survey starts from £280 + VAT, for example a 2 to 3 bed terrace. Larger or harder to reach roofs cost more, and we’ll confirm the price before we book you in.
Will you try to sell me roof repairs?
No. The survey is a paid job in its own right. If you’d like us to quote for any work afterwards we will, but you’re free to take the report to any roofer.
Other roof surveys we carry out
Drone roof survey
For high, steep or fragile roofs nobody should walk on.
Flat roof survey
Felt, EPDM, GRP and asphalt roofs, from £180 + VAT.
Commercial roof survey
For landlords, managing agents and business premises.
Roof surveys in London
House, flat roof and drone surveys across London.
All roof surveys and prices
Every type of survey we do, what’s included and how it works.
Buying a house? Book the roof survey
Send us the address and your exchange date and we’ll come back with a price and the first available slot.