Buying or Selling a Property?

Why We Don’t Offer Free Roof Surveys for Property Negotiations

We regularly receive requests for “free roof surveys” from buyers and sellers involved in property transactions.

To be completely transparent:

We do not provide free overhaul surveys or negotiation reports on properties that are being bought or sold.

Why? Because in most cases, these are not quote requests — they are requests for a professional evidential report to support price negotiations between buyer and seller.

That is a professional service, not a free quotation.

A Free Roofing Quote Is NOT a Roof Survey

A free quotation is intended for homeowners genuinely looking to instruct roofing works.

It may include:
-Visual inspection of obvious defects
-Basic repair recommendations
-Budget pricing for requested works

It is not intended to:
-Provide a detailed condition analysis
-Identify all defects and liabilities
-Assist with legal or financial negotiations
-Act as evidence during conveyancing
-Serve as a formal document between buyer, seller, estate agent, solicitor, lender, or surveyor

If you require a roof inspection to support a purchase negotiation, sale negotiation, retention dispute, or liability discussion, you require a formal defect report.

What You Actually Need:

A Professional Roof Defect Report

We provide detailed chargeable roof inspections specifically designed for:
-Buyers
-Sellers
-Property investors
-Solicitors
-Surveyors
-Commercial clients
-Insurance and liability situations

These reports are frequently used to:
-Negotiate property purchase prices
-Justify retention requests
-Identify hidden roofing liabilities
-Clarify repair vs replacement requirements
-Challenge inaccurate assumptions
-Provide clear evidential documentation

Our reports are detailed, structured, and professionally presented in PDF format.

They typically include:
-Close-up defect photography
-Condition analysis
-Identification of failed materials/components
-Workmanship concerns
-Water ingress findings
-Life expectancy observations
-Repairability assessment
-Replacement recommendations where appropriate
-An evidential photographic record

These are formal professional documents — not informal estimates.

“But We’ve Already Had a RICS Survey…”

A RICS survey is useful, but it is not a specialist roofing inspection.

Most RICS surveyors are general building surveyors and:
-Do not dismantle roofing elements
-Do not carry out close-access roof inspections
-Do not specialise in roofing systems
-Often inspect from ground level, binoculars, or limited viewpoints
-Frequently include disclaimers recommending specialist roofing inspection where concerns exist

Common wording within RICS reports includes:

“A specialist roofing contractor should be instructed to provide further investigation and budget costs.”

This is because roofing defects are highly specialised and often impossible to accurately diagnose without direct roofing experience and closer inspection methods.

We are regularly instructed after RICS surveys have identified:
-“Possible defects”
-“Evidence of historic leakage”
-“Roof covering deterioration”
-“Limited visibility during inspection”
-“Further investigation recommended”

Our role is to provide the detailed roofing-specific assessment that the RICS survey cannot.

Why Professional Roof Reports Matter During Property Transactions

Roofing liabilities can be substantial.

A vague opinion or a free quote carries little evidential weight during negotiations.

A properly documented roofing defect report:
-Creates clarity for all parties
-Reduces disputes and speculation
-Provides photographic evidence
-Helps justify negotiation positions
-Prevents exaggerated assumptions
-Allows informed financial decisions

Many clients have successfully used our reports to negotiate substantial reductions or clarify genuine liability before proceeding with a purchase.

Why We Charge for This Service

A proper roofing inspection requires:
-Professional site attendance
-Time-consuming inspection work
-Photographic documentation
-Technical assessment
-Report preparation
-Professional accountability

In many cases, these reports are ultimately used purely for negotiation purposes and no roofing works proceed afterward.

For that reason, we treat these inspections as a professional consultancy service — not a free sales visit.

If You Simply Need Roofing Works Quoted

If you already own the property and are genuinely looking to proceed with roofing repairs or replacement works, we are of course happy to provide a free quotation for the required works.

However, if your primary requirement is:
-A condition assessment
-A negotiation tool
-A liability report
-A pre-purchase inspection
-A formal roofing opinion

…then a professional defect report is the correct service.

Need a Roof Defect Report?

We’ll advise honestly on:
-The condition of the roof
-Repairability
-Likely future liabilities
-Whether replacement is genuinely required
-And the realistic financial implications involved

Because when property decisions involve tens of thousands of pounds, relying on a “free quote” is rarely enough.