Roof Survey Cost

Looking into the cost of a roof survey in 2026?

A roof survey is an inspection of your roof and loft space. It is carried out by a professional surveyor.

The survey will normally include a report on the condition of the tiles, the chimney, facias and soffits on the exterior. Inside, the report will outline the condition of the roof’s structure, joists and rafters, insulation and ventilation. Depending on the type of survey you request, the report can also include advice and approximate costings for any necessary repairs.

You might need a roof survey if you have a leak, there’s been storm damage, or you want to carry out a maintenance check to catch any issues before they become major problems.

Home buyers often have roof surveys when they are thinking of buying a new property, especially if it is a house that needs renovating. It helps to know what you’ll need to budget to lay new roof tiles or replace a chimney.

Most homeowners can expect to pay between £100 and £550 for a roof survey. The final price depends on the type of survey you have, the size and height of the property and how easy it is to access the roof.

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How Much Is a Roof Survey?

The cost of a roof survey will depend on a number of factors. The main consideration is the type of roof survey you choose.

A basic visual survey is carried out from the ground and can cost as little as £100. A more detailed inspection, with roof access and a written report, will cost between £250 and £400.

Specialist surveys using scaffolding to access the roof and drone photography can cost between £200 and £350.

Cheap surveys will not have the same level of detail as a more expensive survey, which will include a written report and, in many cases, advice and costings if repairs are necessary.

Other factors to consider are labour costs in your location. London and the South East of England are more expensive than other parts of the UK. The size of your property, older roofs, listed properties and complex roof structures will also have a bearing on the overall costs.

Roof Survey Prices

Supply Costs for a Roof Survey

A survey is mainly a professional inspection service, so supply costs are limited. Equipment related to the survey, such as scaffolding, safety equipment, ladders, drone cameras and moisture detection tools, is usually built into the cost of the survey.

To help you understand why costs vary between basic and advanced packages, here are the average prices of some of the equipment used for a roof survey:

• Safety equipment, such as harnesses and ropes - £50-£150 for each set
• Ladders - £50-£100
• Tools and torches - £50-£100
• Cameras - £300-£800
• Professional drone equipment - £1,000-£5,000
• Moisture detection meters - £200-£800
• Thermal imaging cameras - £3,000-£15,000

Additional Costs of a Roof Survey

As well as the initial cost of a roof survey, you may also have to budget for some additional costs in order to carry out the survey or as a result of any recommendations the surveyor makes in the report.

For example, it may be necessary to hire scaffolding or a cherry picker so that the surveyor can gain access to the roof.

• Scaffolding - £300-£800
• Cherry picker hire - £150-£300 per day
• Same-day callout - £200-£350
• Drone photography upgrade - £400-£500

Householders who choose a drone inspection may decide to upgrade to a 3D model to calculate measurements precisely and pinpoint complex damage that may be difficult to detect using standard drone photography.

Finally, there is the added cost of any work flagged up by the surveyor. This could be to install new guttering, replace roof tiles, remove a damaged chimney stack or fit replacement flashing. It might also involve timber treatment or a full roof replacement.

• Fit new guttering - £40-£92 per m², depending on the guttering material
• Replace roof tiles - £35-£55 per tile, depending on whether they are clay, concrete or slate
• Remove chimney stack - £1,200-£1,400 for the chimney stack only
• Fit new flashings - £350-£920, depending on whether scaffolding is required
• Timber treatment - £200-£300
• Full roof replacement - £4,250-£7,250 average cost, depending on roof type

Labour Costs and Timescales for a Roof Survey

The largest part of a roof survey cost is made up of labour and professional costs. The price you pay for a survey will depend on who does the survey, the level of detail required and whether a written report is included.

Roof inspections are carried out by roofing contractors, chartered surveyors, building surveyors or specialist roof inspection companies. For example, if all you need is a visual inspection to confirm missing tiles, then you can use a roofing contractor.

Specialist drone inspection companies also carry out roof surveys, using drone cameras, which are safer than climbing up to the roof and can access hard-to-see areas.

If you have a complex problem that needs to be investigated and followed up with a report, then a surveyor will be the best person to hire.

Timescales depend on the type of survey you need. A straightforward visual roof survey can take between 30 minutes and an hour. A comprehensive survey with a written report can take a few hours for the inspection and a few days to write up the report.

Timescales are also influenced by the weather, roof size, ease of access and the complexity of the roof structure. Modern roofs with straightforward designs tend to be easier to inspect than roofs on older or larger properties.

Cost Factors for a Roof Survey

The size of your property and roof height both have an impact on the cost of a roof survey. Larger homes have bigger roofs, which take longer to inspect.

If a roof can’t be accessed by a ladder or it has a complicated design, it may be necessary to use scaffolding, a tower or drone photography, which adds to the cost.

Features such as chimneys, valleys, skylights or multiple levels can increase the time it takes for an inspection, which will then cost more.

Other cost factors are whether the survey is being carried out using specialist equipment, the detail required in a report and whether the inspection is a routine check, a pre-purchase survey or an emergency callout in response to storm damage.

Building Regulations for a Roof Survey

A building survey itself is not usually subject to Building Regulations. However, any work that is carried out as a result of the survey may need Building Regulations approval.

For example, new roof installations are likely to need Building Regulations approval if:

• More than 25% of the roof is replaced
• Structural alterations are required
• Changes are being made to roofing material that requires structural support, such as swapping to concrete tiles from lightweight tiles
• A loft conversion is being installed

If you live in a listed building, a conservation area or need a party wall agreement, there may be restrictions on what you can do to the roof in addition to the regulations set out by building control.

Types of Roof Survey

There are several types of roofing surveys available. The survey you choose will very often depend on the reason for the survey and the budget available.

Visual Roof Inspection

This is the most basic type of roof inspection and the most affordable. It is normally carried out at ground level or in accessible areas.

Visual inspections are often used for routine maintenance checks and can highlight issues such as missing tiles, blocked gutters or damaged flashing.

• Timescale: 30-60 minutes
• Cost: £100-£200

Full Roof Report

This type of survey requires the surveyor to access the roof by using ladders, scaffolding or a cherry picker. The report highlights the structure and condition of the roof and is a combination of a roof structural survey and a roof condition survey.

It will include photographs and a detailed report, often with recommendations for repairs or renewals.

• Timescale: 2-4 hours
• Cost: £250-£400

Drone Roof Survey

Drone cameras capture images of the roof, which is useful for hard-to-reach areas or tall buildings. A drone can only work when weather conditions are suitable, which might mean there are delays in carrying out the survey.

A drone company using cameras in a commercial setting must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

• Timescale: 1-3 hours
• Cost: £200-£350

Thermal Imaging/Moisture Scan

Thermal imaging and moisture scans are often used for a flat roof survey where there are difficult-to-find leaks or problems with insulation. Infrared cameras detect temperature variations that indicate insulation gaps, moisture ingress and heat loss.

• Timescale: 2-3 hours
• Cost: £300-£500

Alternative Types of Property Survey

Roof surveys are for homeowners who particularly want details on the condition of the roof on a property. However, there are other surveys homeowners may want to consider so that they know about the condition of other parts of a property they own or want to buy.

Typical alternative surveys include:

Homebuyer Surveys

Homebuyer surveys report on the condition of a property and will highlight urgent defects. A Level 2 report will also include advice about managing the defects and future maintenance tips.

These surveys are recommended for people buying or selling a home in reasonable condition that’s built from common building materials.

Average cost: £300-£500

Full Building Surveys

This is a Level 3 survey, and it is an in-depth look at the condition of a property with advice about defects, maintenance and repairs. This survey will suit a person buying or selling an older property, one that has been altered or one that needs renovations.

Average cost: £600-£700

Gutter Inspections

A gutter inspection will look at the condition of your gutters and downpipes. It may be that you need your gutters cleared or, if they are damaged, replaced.

Average cost of inspection: £20-£55

Chimney Inspections

A CCTV inspection can check your chimney flue for blockages, damage or birds’ nests. A small camera is fed into the chimney flue and the liner and will produce detailed images.

Average cost: £80-£250

Damp Surveys

Damp surveys investigate whether you have damp because of rising damp, condensation or penetrating damp.

Average cost: £100-£400

Hiring Contractors Checklist for a Roof Survey

Post your request for a roof survey on MyJobQuote, and you should get up to 3 no-obligation quotes from roof survey specialists near you. When you have the quotes, compare each one for prices and the scope of the work.

If you receive cheaper quotes from elsewhere, be careful about basing your decision on price alone. A poor-quality inspection may miss an important defect, which could lead to expensive repairs at a later date that haven’t been included in your budget.

When you are looking at quotes, here’s what you should consider:

• What experience does the contractor have in inspecting roofs?
• What does the inspection include, and does it cover all parts of the roof?
• Is a written report included?
• Will photographs be part of the survey?
• When can you expect to receive the report?
• Do they have public liability insurance?
• Are they planning to use drone photography, and is it included in the quote?
• Is access equipment included in the quote, or is this an additional cost?

It’s also a good idea to check out the company’s reviews from previous customers. If you use MyJobQuote, you can do this after you have posted your job online.

You should also check that contractors using drones are registered and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Removing the Need for a Roof Survey

Sometimes there isn’t a need for a roof inspection. For example, if you are buying a property from a homeowner who has had regular maintenance surveys with reports and up-to-date records, an inspection may not be necessary.

If you have a regular maintenance survey, it will often catch damage that can be repaired before it becomes an expensive problem.

Another case where a survey might not be needed is when the repair is obvious, and you can move directly to roof repair quotes. Bear in mind, though, that a survey might be helpful in confirming the full extent of the issue so unexpected costs are avoided.

Roof Survey FAQs