Roof Survey
05/10/2017
Roof survey – when you’re looking at buying a property, you should always consider the state of its roof: if it has any problems and they’re not corrected, you can end up paying £1,000s to fix later. A roof survey will give you the knowledge you need to stop any issues from snowballing.
NB SAM Conveyancing does not at present sell roof surveys - this article is for information only.
It always pays to get a home buyers survey to check out a home you’re interested in buying, because you’re hiring the experience of a qualified RICS surveyor to inspect the roof to see if there’s any evidence of issues. The surveyor will look at the roof and, if there’s access, check the attic for further evidence. If they spot any problems, they’ll flag them up in their report and if they need to, recommend a roofing specialist to conduct a roof survey.
If you find that roof problems are extensive and expensive to repair, you can bargain with the vendor about remedy costs or even choose to pull out of a sale.
Get a RICS Home Buyers Survey Quote: call 0333 344 3234
*RICS Surveyors – Local Knowledge – Same Week Availability
Want help now? Call us on 0333 344 3234 (local call charges apply)
What is inspected in a roof survey?
- Guttering, rainwater systems - estimate expected lifespan; check for blockages, damages, cracks, leaking joints, leaking unions, other problems.
- Chimney stacks - check brickwork and mortar condition, look for loose chimney pots, worn flaunching and examine flashings, type and condition.
- Roof covering - estimate age and expected lifespan, condition comparable to similar properties and examine for leaks.
- Ridge Tiles - ridge tile and mortar condition and ridge iron check.
- Valleys and gulleys - estimate expected lifespan, check for fatigue splits, poor repairs and mortar condition.
- Flat roofs - check condition, examine roof covering and decking for soft spots, estimate expected lifespan.
- Roof windows and skylights - check installation quality and flashing, looked for cracked glass and fogging of units.
- Dormer roofs - check covering and condition, estimate expected lifespan.
- Roof structure - checks (external and internal) for roof sag and spread, Purlin support and condition, internal light, condensation issues, ventilation, wall plates, tie bars and condition.
Will a roof specialist get up a ladder as part of a roof survey?
Yes! They need to look at the roof and structures up close to do a proper inspection.
What’s the cost of a roof survey?
The price of a roof survey depends on how big a property’s roof is. Prices start from around £150 for a terraced house, rising to around £300 and upwards for a large detached house. As roof repairs generally cost around £200 - £300 to fix, a survey is almost an investment because of money you’ll probably save in repairs in the future.
*RICS Surveyors – Local Knowledge – Same Week Availability
Want help now? Call us on 0333 344 3234 (local call charges apply)
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