Do you need a roof survey when buying a new house?

Although incredibly exciting, buying a new house can be one of the most stressful and complicated processes that homeowners have to go through.

There are countless steps, documents and compliance points to understand and follow. While they are another task on a long to-do list, arranging a survey is a critical part of buying a new home.

Property surveys are designed to help you understand the condition of the property that you’re considering buying, and ensure you identify any potential issues, before you lock in the purchase.

To help buyers sign the contract with confidence, our skilled team of roofing experts have shared their dedicated guide to understanding roof surveys.

What is a roof survey?

While many buyers understand the value of general house surveys, few realise how limited these surveys can be when it comes to assessing the property’s roof.

Typically, house surveys only inspect the roof either from ground level or from the perspective of nearby vantage points. As a result, as standard, these surveys won’t be able to warn you of any hidden damage or structural issues in the roof. In many cases, issues like these can lead to costly and time-consuming repair jobs in the future.

This is why many buyers opt to commission a dedicated roof survey, on top of the standard house survey.

A roof survey is a detailed roof inspection, which is carried out by a roofing specialist or chartered surveyor. They will assess the roof – either on foot, or using ladders, scaffolding or drones, or using infrared technology to create thermal images – then report back on the condition, structure and materials used within the property’s roof.

What does a roof survey include?

Roof surveys will include assessments of the roof’s:

• Roof structure
• Covering materials (e.g. tiles or slates)
• Flashings, ridges and valleys
• Chimneys 
• Leadwork
• Guttering
• Fascias and soffits
• Insulation 
• Ventilation

Once they have finished the survey, they will then create a detailed report, which outlines any signs of damage, excessive wear, or points where a repair will be needed.

The report will typically include:

• An outline of the roof’s age, materials, and general condition
• Details of any defects or damage
• An assessment of key areas of the roof (particularly guttering and drainage, and insulation and ventilation)
• A summary of the condition of chimneys, flashing and pointing
• An analysis of the integrity of the roof timbers and support structure
• Recommendations for any repair or replacement work that may be needed

How does it fit within a house survey?

Typically, when you’re buying a property, you’ll have the choice of one of three types of house surveys.

These are:

Level 1 (Condition Report)

• A basic visual check. This is not recommended for older properties or properties with known issues.

Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report)

• Includes a roof inspection from ground level (but this is only a basic inspection).

Level 3 (Building Survey)

• A more comprehensive inspection, which might include a closer look at the roof structure (depending on the provider). But, this is rarely a fully in-depth assessment.

The Level 2 and 3 surveys provide a general overview of a roof’s condition, but rarely identify underlying problems. So, a dedicated roof survey is often recommended alongside one of these standard surveys. Particularly for older houses, or those that are showing signs of structural issues.

Why would a roof survey be needed? 

A roof survey is a valuable investment for any property.

But, it is particularly useful in properties that are older, or when you’re considering a property that has some known issues. That way, the roof survey can help you be confident that you understand the full extent of the issue(s), and what exactly you will need to do (and spend) in the future, if you were to purchase the property.

A roof survey is also highly recommended if you’re buying a property after a period of extreme weather (e.g. storms or a particularly cold winter).

Finally, if you know that you’ll be renovating or extending the property, then it’s well worth investing in a roof survey. This is because, by understanding the roof’s condition, you can be confident that new structural work can be completed safely, with the old roof supporting the new additions.

With a roof survey, you know that you are making an informed decision, before you purchase the property. A roof is one of the most expensive parts of a property to repair or replace. So, making this investment early on could save some serious frustration later down the line.

At Stapleford Roofing, our trusted team offer a comprehensive range of roofing services, including roof surveys. So, to find out more about the value of roof surveys, or to enlist our team to advise you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.