Roof Report FAQs

Most home buyers choose the £349 Pre-Purchase Roof Report, which is designed for buyers whose survey has flagged roof concerns and who need written evidence before exchange. Limited roof checks from £249 may be suitable where a survey only raises one simple issue. Commercial and industrial roof report pricing is confirmed after reviewing the property, roof size, access, height and report scope.

Yes. Roof Reports is designed for buyers who do not own the property yet and need written roof advice before exchange of contracts. Send the property address, estate agent details, your survey comments and any photos you already have, and we can help identify the suitable report level.

Send the property address, the roof section of your homebuyer survey, estate agent contact details, any photos you have, your buying position and your exchange deadline if there is one. This helps the report scope, access needs and suitable pricing level be reviewed before anything is arranged.

Yes. A survey extract is often enough to start a review. Send the relevant roof comments, any photos, the property address and estate agent details so the likely inspection type and access needs can be considered.

Timescales depend on access, location, weather, contractor availability, roof type and report complexity. If you have an exchange deadline, tell us early so we can advise whether the £349 Pre-Purchase Roof Report, a limited roof check or a commercial report route is realistic in the time available.

A report can affect timing if access is difficult, weather prevents inspection or further investigation is recommended. If you are close to exchange, tell us your deadline at enquiry stage so availability and scope can be reviewed quickly.

Yes. Because you are not usually the owner before completion, access normally needs to be agreed by the seller, estate agent or managing agent. Roof Reports can help coordinate access where possible, but permission and safe access remain essential.

Where possible, yes. Send us the estate agent contact details, property address and your buying position. We can help request suitable access for the roof inspection, explain what is needed and work around seller or agent availability where practical.

If access is refused, the report may not be possible before exchange. You can discuss the refusal with your solicitor and decide whether to proceed, renegotiate, ask further questions or wait until access is available.

Only where it is safe, lawful and appropriate. Many reports are completed from ground level, ladders, accessible vantage points, roof windows, loft observations or drone footage where suitable. Unsafe access will be recorded as a limitation and further inspection may be recommended.

Drone inspections may be used where suitable and where a CAA compliant operator is available. Weather, nearby restrictions, property location, privacy, flight permissions and roof visibility can all affect whether drone footage is possible or useful.

The report will explain access limitations and what could not be inspected. If important areas are hidden, unsafe or not visible, the report may recommend further investigation, specialist access equipment, drone inspection, scaffold access or review after completion.

Weather can affect safe access, drone use, visibility and the ability to inspect certain roof areas. If weather prevents a suitable inspection, the appointment may need to be rearranged or the report may record limitations clearly.

Loft observations may be possible where access is agreed, safe and practical. A loft view can be useful for damp timbers, felt condition, daylight, ventilation and leak evidence, but it still has limitations.

A visual roof report cannot guarantee hidden conditions. If hidden defects are discovered later, they are outside the scope of a non-invasive inspection unless they were visible and recorded at the time.

No. This is not a RICS survey, structural survey, valuation, guarantee or warranty. It is a visual roof condition report carried out by experienced roofing contractors based on visible and safely accessible areas at the time of inspection.

Yes. Many enquiries come after a Level 2 or Level 3 survey flags roof issues but does not explain likely repairs in enough detail. A roof report can focus on the roof covering, chimney, flashing, gutters, roofline, visible defects and estimated repair guidance where possible.

Roof Reports is designed to give buyers a practical written roof condition opinion rather than a sales-led repair pitch. Reports are based on visible evidence, safe access and the contractor scope, with limitations explained where parts of the roof cannot be inspected.

Yes. Photos are included where defects, access points or relevant roof areas can be safely photographed. Photos help buyers, solicitors, estate agents and sellers understand what has been observed, but they do not remove the normal limitations of a visual inspection.

Where possible, the contractor can provide estimated cost ranges or itemised repair guidance for visible defects. Costs are guidance only unless a separate formal quotation is provided, and hidden defects, material choices, scaffold access and regional labour costs can affect final pricing.

Yes, many buyers share roof reports with their solicitor, estate agent, mortgage adviser or seller. Your solicitor can advise how the report should be used in enquiries, contract discussions or purchase negotiations.

Some buyers share roof reports with mortgage advisers or lenders, but acceptance depends on the lender, survey conditions and their own requirements. The report is not a valuation, mortgage report, structural survey, guarantee or warranty.

A paid roof report is intended to give a written condition view for the buyer before purchase. A contractor estimate usually focuses on pricing specific works. A report can include limitations, access notes, visible defect evidence and guidance on urgent and future works.

A written roof report may help support renegotiation by giving clearer evidence of visible roof defects, likely urgency and estimated repair guidance. Previous customers have used reports during purchase negotiations, but the outcome depends on the property, seller, estate agent, solicitor and negotiation process.

That depends on urgency, repair scope, seller cooperation and your solicitor's advice. Some buyers ask for repairs before completion, while others prefer to discuss price so they can arrange works after completion.

It can be useful because buyers often need more detail before deciding how to proceed. A roof report may help distinguish between urgent repairs, future maintenance, further investigation and possible replacement, with estimated cost guidance where possible.

A visual report may give an opinion on whether the roof appears serviceable, repairable or potentially in need of replacement based on visible evidence. It cannot guarantee hidden conditions or confirm structural adequacy without further specialist investigation.

If sagging, movement, spread, structural timber concerns or significant cracking are identified, the report may recommend further investigation by a structural engineer or another suitable specialist.

Survey wording such as roof nearing the end of its life, limited remaining life or approaching end of economic life usually means the surveyor has concerns about age, condition or likely future replacement. A roof report can help clarify visible defects, likely urgency and whether repairs or replacement should be budgeted.

Yes, visible defects such as slipped slates, missing roof tiles, cracked tiles, failed ridge mortar, verge defects and poor flashing can usually be recorded where they can be seen safely. The report can include photos and repair guidance where possible.

Yes, the report may comment on visible chimney stack condition, flaunching, pointing, lead flashing, gutters, roofline details and flat roof coverings where accessible and safely visible. Hidden areas, unsafe access and specialist issues will be noted as limitations.

Yes. A roof report can record visible flat roof condition, signs of wear, ponding risk, edge details, rooflights and obvious defects where safely visible. It may give cost guidance or recommend further investigation if hidden layers or intrusive checks are needed.

A roof report may include loft observations where access is agreed and safe, but damp timbers can require further investigation. The report can record visible evidence, possible roof-related causes and whether specialist damp, timber or structural advice may be needed.

Moss can be recorded where it affects visibility, gutters, tiles or drainage. Heavy moss can hide defects, so the report may explain that some roof covering condition cannot be fully seen until moss is cleared safely.

Visible ventilation concerns may be noted, especially where loft observations are possible. Poor ventilation can relate to condensation, insulation, roof design and occupancy, so further investigation may be recommended if evidence is unclear.

Leasehold flats can be more complicated because roof access may involve the freeholder, managing agent, estate agent or seller. The report may still be possible, but access permission, safe viewing points and responsibility for repairs should be checked carefully.

A shared roof can be inspected visually where access and visibility allow. The report can comment on the relevant visible areas, but ownership, repair responsibility and shared-cost questions should be discussed with your solicitor.

Where possible, cost guidance can mention likely access considerations such as ladders, scaffold, towers or specialist access. Exact scaffold costs depend on property layout, height, access, roof area, contractor pricing and any restrictions at the property.

Yes. Older houses, Victorian terraces, Edwardian homes, 1930s semis, slate roofs, chimney stacks and older tile roofs are common reasons buyers request roof reports. The report can help separate age-related wear from more urgent visible defects.

It may be possible if access can be arranged before the auction or before a deadline, but auction timings are often tight. Tell us the auction date, legal pack status, access position and any survey concerns as early as possible.

Yes. If your surveyor recommends a roofing contractor or specialist roof inspection, a paid written roof report can provide a clearer record than informal verbal advice. It can include photos, visible defect notes and repair guidance where possible.

Roof areas around solar panels may be visually reviewed where safe and visible, but panels can hide roof coverings and fixings. Electrical, solar installation, warranty or specialist panel issues should be checked by a suitable solar contractor.

Yes. Roof Reports can help with commercial and industrial roof condition reports for landlords, tenants, buyers, agents and property managers. These may cover metal roofs, flat roofs, cladding, rooflights, gutters, visible corrosion and budget repair guidance, subject to access and scope.

Subject to location, access and suitable contractor availability, an industrial roof report may comment on profiled metal roofs, commercial flat roofs, felt or membrane roof areas, rooflights, gutters, cladding, flashings, fixings, laps, drainage points and visible corrosion. Specialist materials or hidden roof build-ups may need further investigation.

Industrial roof reports may be suitable for commercial buyers, landlords, tenants, property managers, facilities managers, managing agents and asset managers who need written roof condition evidence before acquisition, lease decisions, planned maintenance, dilapidation discussions or budgeting.

A written industrial roof report can help a buyer understand visible roof defects, likely repair exposure and maintenance priorities before committing to a commercial property purchase. It does not guarantee negotiation outcomes, but it can provide clearer roof evidence for purchase discussions.

Where possible, the report may include budget repair guidance or estimated cost ranges for visible defects. Final pricing can depend on roof area, access equipment, working hours, safety requirements, materials, specialist testing, contractor availability and whether a separate formal quotation is requested.

Yes, visible rooflights, gutters, flashings, cladding edges, drainage outlets and roofline details may be commented on where they can be inspected safely. Fragile rooflights, blocked gutters, failed fixings, corrosion and water entry risks are common reasons for requesting an industrial roof condition report.

No, asbestos sampling or laboratory testing is not included in a standard visual roof report. If asbestos cement sheets, suspected asbestos materials or refurbishment risks are present, the report may recommend a suitable asbestos survey or specialist advice before intrusive works are planned.

Drone footage may be useful for large commercial roofs where safe and permitted. It depends on weather, site restrictions, airspace, privacy, roof visibility and the availability of a CAA compliant operator. Drone footage does not replace every form of inspection and limitations will still be recorded.

Commercial and industrial roof reports are usually visual and non-invasive unless a different scope is agreed. They may not confirm hidden insulation condition, trapped moisture, structural adequacy, fixings below coverings, asbestos content, internal build-up condition or defects that require opening up, core sampling or specialist testing.