What a roof condition survey is
A roof condition survey assesses the current state of a roof and reports on it independently. The difference from a repair quotation is fundamental: a contractor's quote is an offer to do work, produced by a business that earns by being appointed. A condition survey is a diagnosis whose only product is the report. Because we do not undertake repairs, the assessment is not tied to winning a contract.
The report is designed to help you understand what is actually there — what is sound, what is deteriorating, what needs attention soon and what can reasonably wait — so you can plan rather than react.
Who commissions a condition survey
- Owners planning maintenance or budgeting for future work.
- Landlords reviewing the state of a property or portfolio.
- Property managers preparing planned maintenance schedules.
- Buyers who want a clearer picture than a general viewing provides.
- Anyone concerned that a roof may be nearing the end of its service life or has been neglected.
What the survey assesses
Where accessible, the inspection covers:
- Roof coverings — slates, tiles, membranes and felt — and their condition and fixings.
- Chimney stacks, pots, pointing and flashings.
- Leadwork at abutments, valleys and junctions.
- Parapet, valley and box gutters, including shared gutters.
- Flat roofs, extensions and dormers — coverings, upstands, drainage and detailing.
- Gutters and downpipes where visible.
- Previous repairs, overlays and incompatible materials.
- The accessible roof space or loft.
Defects, deterioration and maintenance priorities
Findings are catalogued with severity ratings. We distinguish between defects that need prompt attention — active water ingress, structural concerns, failed flashings — and those that can reasonably be monitored or planned for later. The aim is to help you sequence spending sensibly rather than treating every minor issue as urgent.
Where a roof has been patched repeatedly over the years, the survey documents the previous work and assesses whether it appears sound, whether incompatible materials have been introduced, and whether ongoing issues may stem from an underlying cause rather than the visible patch.
Remaining service life
Where it is possible to judge, we comment on the remaining service life of coverings and components. We do not push replacement: if targeted repairs would extend a roof's life, the report says so. If replacement appears necessary, the report sets out the reasons and the evidence so the decision is informed rather than driven by a sales pitch.
Flat roofs and extensions
Flat roofs, rear extensions, garage roofs and dormers are included where accessible and are often where the most significant issues are found. See also our roof leak investigation page if your concern is an active leak rather than general condition.