After a roof inspection, you should understand what was checked, what was found and what couldn't be seen. The findings should explain the repair or further investigation being recommended. Photographs can help, but they need a clear explanation of what they show.
Tell us why you need the inspection: a leak, maintenance, a house purchase or a concern about recent work. That helps establish what should be checked, how it can be accessed and what information you need afterwards.
Tell Us What You Need the Inspection to Answer
You may want to find a leak, plan maintenance or understand a concern raised during a house purchase. Each needs a different approach. Tell us why you're booking so we can discuss the checks and information you need.
RICS explains the different types of home survey. A mortgage valuation, a home survey and our roofing quote have different purposes. If you're buying a property, agree a suitable survey with your surveyor as well as any specific roofing checks. [1]
Tell us about previous leaks, repairs and alterations. If you need a written report for a buyer, insurer or property manager, ask before booking. We'll confirm what can be provided and any charge; a free quote doesn't automatically include a formal report.
What Will the Inspection Cover?
We'll agree the relevant checks for your enquiry. This table shows areas you may want to discuss and the limits that can affect an inspection.
| Roof Area | What May Be Checked | What May Remain Unchecked |
|---|---|---|
| Roof coverings | Visible slips, breaks, wear and repair patterns | Hidden faces and concealed support may not be visible |
| Ridges, verges and junctions | Loose parts, weather damage and possible leak routes | A visual check may not confirm hidden fixings |
| Chimneys and flashings | Flashing and nearby brickwork or mortar | Appliance and internal flue safety are separate assessments |
| Flat-roof surface | The covering, edges, raised junctions and outlets | Moisture beneath the membrane may require further investigation |
| Gutters and downpipes | Leaks, signs of overflow and where water drains | Concealed drains may need a separate check |
| Roof void, where safely accessible | Visible timbers, damp and insulation | Stored items, linings and lack of safe access restrict coverage |
| Proposed alteration | Whether the planned work suits the roof | Structural or building-control decisions may need other professionals |
On small screens, scroll the table sideways to view every column.
Ask what has been confirmed and what is only suspected. For example, a possible leak at a wall junction needs different follow-up from clearly damaged flashing. We'll explain any uncertainty.
Safe Access Is Part of the Work
Access depends on the roof's height, condition and surroundings. We may start from the ground and find that closer access is needed to answer the question properly. We'll explain what can be seen and what further arrangements are required.
HSE emphasises planning, competence and precautions for all roof work. Roofs and rooflights must not be assumed safe to stand on merely because an inspection is brief. [2] [3]
Please don't climb onto an extension or hold an unsecured ladder to help with an inspection. Send photos only from safe places, and tell us about gates, narrow passages, overhead obstacles or access affecting neighbours and the public.
Ground-Level Views, Drones and Close Inspection
Ground-level views can show obvious damage but may miss the far side of a chimney or a hidden junction. Aerial photos can help show the roof layout, but can't reveal every defect underneath or prove the cause of a leak.
Ask what the proposed inspection method can establish. A clear aerial image isn't the same as checking the structure or moisture beneath the covering. Further checks may still be needed.
If opening up or testing is proposed, the purpose, cost, protection and repairs afterwards need agreeing first. We'll discuss any additional investigation before it goes ahead.
Investigating Damp Needs More Than One Reading
Water can travel before it appears inside. Condensation, plumbing leaks or moisture retained in old materials may also be involved. Older chimney breasts can be affected by salts as well as rain entry.
Historic England's July 2026 damp guidance explains the limits of moisture readings. A meter can help an investigation, but one reading doesn't identify every cause or justify replacing a whole roof. [4]
Tell us when the damp appears and what the weather is doing, along with what you can see safely inside and outside. Our roof-leak detection guide explains which observations are useful before a visit.
How Often Should a Roof Be Inspected?
There isn't one inspection interval for every private home. The covering, age, exposure, nearby trees, past problems and any warranty requirements all affect what makes sense for your roof.
Product instructions are a useful starting point. IKO recommends planned and post-weather checks for the roofs covered by its guidance, while Historic England highlights regular rainwater-system maintenance. We can discuss an approach suited to your property. [5] [6]
If something changes, contact us rather than wait for the next planned check. Keep your maintenance record to help explain what's new.
What a Written Report Should Contain
If you've arranged a written report, it should identify the property, date, purpose and method, with relevant photos and a clear explanation of anything that couldn't be seen.
Ask which findings are urgent, which repairs can be planned and which changes are optional. Any need for structural, wildlife, asbestos or building-control advice should be made clear, as those checks may require other specialists.
You should be able to understand the explanation without roofing experience. Please ask us about unfamiliar terms. Any quote should make clear which recommendations it covers.
Inspection Before Buying or Selling
Before buying, discuss the survey level and roof-access limits with your surveyor. We may be able to investigate a specific roofing concern, but that doesn't replace the full home survey. [1]
If you're selling, gather invoices, guarantees and relevant approvals. A documented repair to an identified fault may be more useful than cosmetic cleaning. A new roof doesn't guarantee a particular increase in sale value.
Our house-viewing roof checklist and pre-sale repair guide explain which roof questions to raise with your surveyor or conveyancer.
Discuss the Work Needed After the Inspection
Ask us how a repair would address the cause and what it wouldn't cover. If replacement is recommended, we'll explain why a smaller repair may not be enough and which layers need renewing.
Your written quote should cover access, materials, waste, payment terms and any costs still to be confirmed. Citizens Advice recommends agreeing the work and price clearly in writing. [7]
We offer roof inspections and maintenance alongside repair work in Newcastle, Washington and Chester-le-Street and across the North East. Tell us whether you need a leak investigated, maintenance planned or a quote for a problem already identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a roof inspection the same as a home survey?
No. Our inspection covers the roofing checks agreed with you. A home survey considers the wider property, and a roofing quote doesn't replace it when you're buying a house.
Can a roofer inspect everything from the ground?
Not always. Some damage can be seen from below, while junctions, supports and hidden layers may need closer access. We'll explain those limits and any further checks recommended.
Is a drone survey enough to diagnose a leak?
Not necessarily. Aerial images can show useful detail, but a leak may need checks inside, closer access or investigation beneath the covering. Ask what can be established by the proposed method.
Does a free quote include a formal written report?
Not automatically. Tell us if you need a report for a buyer, insurer or managing agent before booking. We'll confirm what's included and any charge for that service.
Will inspection damage the roof?
A visual check is different from opening up or testing. We'll agree the method with you, including any additional work, protection and making good if the roof needs opening.
What should I do before the appointment?
Gather previous repair details, note when the problem happens and send safe photos. Tell us about access restrictions and any report you need. Please don't climb onto the roof or move unsafe materials to prepare.
Can an inspection prove there are no hidden defects?
No. We can explain what was checked and found, but concealed or inaccessible areas remain a limitation. Those limits should be clear in the findings.
References & Sources
We have linked to the sources used in this guide so you can read more. They were checked on 27 September 2026. Manufacturer guidance applies to its own products, and published prices are examples rather than our quotes. Check the requirements for your project before arranging work. Links open in a new tab.
- RICS Helping You Choose the Right Survey ↗ A PDF explaining the different RICS home-survey levels. A mortgage valuation does not replace a survey of the building's condition.
- Health and Safety Executive Construction: Roof Work ↗ HSE advice on safe access and protection during roof work. Keep your own observations to safe positions, such as from the ground, and leave roof access to professionals.
- Health and Safety Executive Fragile Surfaces ↗ HSE explains why roofs and rooflights may be fragile, and why precautions are needed even for a short maintenance job.
- Historic England Assessing Damp in Historic Buildings ↗ Published on 13 July 2026, this guidance explains how damp is investigated and why some findings need further checks. It is particularly useful for older masonry and recurring chimney stains.
- IKO Roof Maintenance Guidelines ↗ Maintenance advice for the manufacturer's applicable waterproofing systems. Your roof's condition, surroundings and guarantee terms should guide the inspection schedule.
- Historic England Inspection, Maintenance and Repair of Rainwater Systems ↗ Advice on inspecting and maintaining gutters, downpipes and outlets, including considerations for historic buildings.
- Citizens Advice Before You Get Work Done on Your Home ↗ Citizens Advice guidance for England on choosing a trader, getting written quotes, checking insurance and agreeing permissions.