What a Roof Survey Covers
A professional roof survey involves a roofer physically accessing the roof and systematically inspecting every element. For a standard Oxford residential property, this covers:
- Tile condition — checking for cracked, slipped, displaced or deteriorating tiles across all roof slopes
- Nail fixings — pressing tiles to test for nail sickness (corrosion of the fixing nails)
- Ridge and hip — inspecting the mortar bedding on ridge and hip tiles, checking for looseness or cracking
- Lead work — assessing all flashings, valleys, soakers and parapet gutters for condition and seal
- Gutters and fascias — checking for blockages, failed joints, rotting timber or displaced gutters
- Chimney stacks — mortar condition, flaunching (the sloped mortar cap), flashing condition, pot security
- Flat roofs — where present, checking for surface degradation, ponding, failed seams or upstand issues
- Internal inspection — where loft access is available, checking the underside of the roof deck for water staining, rafter condition and felt condition
What a Survey Should Produce
After a professional survey, you should receive a clear written summary of findings, a prioritised recommendation (repair now / monitor / leave), and a written quote for any recommended work. Some surveyors provide photographic evidence of specific faults — particularly useful for insurance purposes or when planning a staged programme of works.
A proper roof survey distinguishes between elements needing immediate action, elements to monitor, and elements with years of remaining life, based on our own field data 2025. — Source: own field data 2025
A survey that produces only a verbal opinion and no written record is not worth having. The written record is what protects you if the contractor later disputes the scope of agreed work.
When You Need a Survey
You’ve noticed a problem
Any visible sign of failure — damp patches on ceilings, displaced tiles visible from the ground, gutters overflowing despite cleaning, daylight visible through the loft — warrants a survey. The sooner the survey happens, the smaller the repair is likely to be.
Before buying an Oxford property
A standard homebuyer survey does not include a specialist roof inspection. If you are buying a Victorian or Edwardian property in North Oxford, Jericho or Headington, or a post-war property in Cowley or Barton that has not had a recent re-roof, a specialist roof survey is money well spent. Discovering that a roof needs £8,000 of work after completion is considerably worse than knowing before exchange.
Proactive maintenance on older stock
Any Oxford property built before 1980 that has not had a roof survey in the last 5–10 years is worth inspecting. The post-war concrete tile estates are now at the age where nail sickness has become widespread. The Victorian and Edwardian stock has lead work, chimney stacks and clay tiles that are at various stages of their service life. Early identification of developing problems prevents emergency repairs.
How Much Does a Roof Survey Cost in Oxford?
We carry out roof surveys free of charge across Oxford and Oxfordshire. There is no call-out fee and no obligation to proceed with any recommended work. The survey is how we establish the scope of any quote — it's as much in our interest to do it thoroughly as it is in yours.
Some specialist structural engineers charge £200–£500 for written structural roof surveys, which are appropriate for pre-purchase due diligence on high-value period properties or for insurance claims. For standard repair and maintenance assessment, a free survey from a professional contractor is the right starting point.
Book a free roof survey across Oxford and Oxfordshire. Written findings, honest recommendation, no obligation. Call 0186 580 3181.
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