Roof condition survey in the UK
A condition survey by a roofer — usually before buying a house or commissioning a big repair.
Typical UK cost range
£150–£500
National baseline. City-specific ranges are adjusted for local labour and access costs on the city pages below. See the full UK cost guide for the methodology and the factors that move a quote.
What the job involves
A condition survey is a roofer’s inspection of the whole covering, structure, flashings, gutters, and chimney, producing a written report with photographs and a prioritised list of recommended work. It’s the right intermediate step when you’re buying a property or not sure whether a roof needs repair or replacement.
A good survey takes 1–2 hours on site and produces a report within a few working days. It should state the estimated remaining life of the covering and the specific items that need attention in the short, medium, and long term.
What changes the price
- Size and complexity of the roof.
- Whether drone or scope access is included.
- Whether a written report with photographs is included (it should be).
- Turnaround time.
Timeline: Usually 1–2 hours on site, written report within a week.
Pick a city for local pricing
Each city page has adjusted cost ranges, local context, and the roofers in our directory that cover it.
Major English cities
Other English cities
Northern Ireland
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Start my quote requestCommon questions
Will a roof survey pick up everything a homebuyer survey misses?
Usually yes, for roof-specific issues. RICS homebuyer surveys are broad and often include a line like “roof should be inspected by a specialist” — a dedicated roofer’s survey is that specialist step.
Is a drone survey better than a ladder survey?
Different strengths. Drones get close-up imagery of the whole roof without scaffold, which is great for access-difficult properties. A ladder survey lets the roofer lift tiles and check the underlayment and battens, which drones can’t. For a full picture, both.
Related guides
Independent rankings — no pay-to-rank. See Methodology, Complaints & corrections.