Check the roof before you buy your dream home!

There are so many things to think about when moving house, but don’t forget to check the roof before you buy your dream home. 

Roofs are not just about kerb appeal. Even a good-looking roof might be hiding issues that could prove expensive if left unattended, particularly if it is on an older property. 

Trust Improve a Roof to survey your roof and make sure that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises after you have closed the deal.

What’s the worst that can happen if I don’t check the roof?

Small problems can quickly become more serious and the critical thing that you want to avoid at all costs is the necessity of replacing your roof.

The average cost of replacing a roof in the UK is £5 500, but the price could be as much as 18,000 if you have a large property.  

Once you have factored in the extra costs of erecting scaffolding, removing the existing roof, skip hire and removal of waste material, the cost will mount up considerably and may well be one of the most expensive projects you undertake on your home.

It is certainly worthwhile spending extra time and money to ensure that you know about any problems that may be lurking under the slates before you make a commitment.

What should I look for on the roof? 

You may be able to spot a few potential problems yourself.

Check for damp patches or old stains on the upstairs ceilings when you view the house inside. The damp issue could have already been resolved if the stains appear old, but it is always important to check.

If you get the opportunity to investigate the loft space, there are a few things that you may notice. 

Shafts of light or rain coming through gaps in the roof are a big red flag; however, there may also be subtle signs of other problems.  

Disturbance to the insulation material should be checked as rodents or squirrels could be using it to make a nest. You may even find droppings as further evidence that animals are entering the loft through damaged soffits or fascias.

Piles of dead wasps and other insects in the loft or upstairs rooms can suggest an infestation in the loft, which will need to be removed.

If you stand on the other side of the road or at the end of the garden, you may be able to get a good look at the entire roof.

Loose slates and poor pointing around chimneys should be obvious enough. 

Well-established moss or lichen growth is also worth further investigation as either could have penetrated beneath slates or tiles, lifting them and allowing rainwater to penetrate. Rain may not have entered the roof space but could have caused rot in the wooden structures encouraging slates and tiles to become loose.

What can Improve a Roof offer the house buyer?

Our Home Buyers Survey and Report is a detailed and thorough assessment of the condition of all the different areas and components of the roof. 

It can give you peace of mind by investigating issues that you may have noticed, and uncovering any other hidden problems.

The roof survey includes;

• A loft inspection to check for damp / decay / felt problems and any other defects in evidence.
• A complete roof inspection from the ground and on the roof itself.
• The survey will look at tiles, valleys, verges, mortar works, ridges, chimney, leadwork, eaves, felt, moss and lichen growth.
• We will also assess the overall condition of the roof.

The Home Buyers Survey and Report

You will receive a written report giving details of all defects and an estimated cost of the repairs required.

We will take photos of the issues we discover that we can discuss with you if you decide to proceed with our roof refurbishment service.

The Home Buyers Survey and Report costs £199 (including VAT). If the customer later takes advantage of the quotation provided, £100 will be refunded against any remedial or other work undertaken by Improve A Roof.

Contact us today to arrange your Home Buyers Survey and Report.

Our other services

Once you move in, our regular cleaning and inspection service will help keep your roof free from algae, moss, lichen, and environmental debris.

You may also be interested in our thermal roof coating service.

We provide roof cleaning services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.

Call us NOW on: 0800 046 9686 for a free, no-obligation quotation.