Roof surveys & written reports
A roof survey is a close inspection of a roof by a qualified roofer that records its true condition in a written report, covering the covering, flashings, chimney and gutters, so you know exactly what state the roof is in and what, if anything, it needs.
The right survey for the decision you're making
People come to us for a survey for three main reasons, and each one calls for a slightly different report.
- Pre-purchase surveys tell a buyer the true condition and likely remaining life of a roof before they commit, often after a homebuyer report has flagged it with a vague note. We get close to the roof and tell you what you're actually buying.
- Condition surveys give an owner, landlord or factor a clear picture of where a roof stands, what needs doing now, and what can reasonably wait, so maintenance can be planned rather than reactive.
- Insurance surveys document storm, impact or water damage with dated photographs and a clear statement of cause and remedy, which is the evidence insurers want to see.
What's included
- A close inspection of the roof covering, ridges, hips, verges, valleys and abutments
- Assessment of lead flashings, soakers, the chimney head and flaunching
- Gutters, downpipes and visible drainage checked for blockages and failure
- Roof-space and sarking inspection where access allows, plus signs of water ingress
- Drone inspection for high, steep or hard-to-reach roofs
- A clear written report with dated photographs, condition notes and priorities
- An itemised, no-obligation written quote for any work the survey identifies
An honest report, not a sales pitch
A survey is only worth having if you can trust it. Our reports are written to tell you what the roof needs, not to manufacture work. If a roof is sound, we'll say so. If it needs a single slipped slate refixed rather than a full re-roof, we'll say that too, and quote accordingly. That straightforwardness is a big part of why owners, buyers and factors across Edinburgh keep coming back. Our guide to signs your roof needs attention covers what often prompts a survey in the first place.
Trusted across Edinburgh and Scotland
Ronald G Graham is a family firm established in 1996, run by the second generation with the founder trading since 1983. We're NFRC UK Roofing Award winners, SELECT members and ISOQAR/UKAS certified, and we survey roofs across the whole of Edinburgh and every EH area, the Lothians, Fife and across Scotland, from our Leith HQ at 20 Gordon Street. Whether you're buying a New Town flat, managing a tenement stair, or claiming for storm damage on a family home, book a free survey and we'll give you a report you can rely on.
Common questions
How much does a roof survey and report cost?
Our standard roof survey and written report is free and carries no obligation. We inspect the roof, including by drone where access is difficult, and give you a clear report on its condition along with an itemised quote for any work. You only pay if you choose to go ahead with repairs.
Is a roof survey different from a homebuyer's survey?
Yes, and the difference matters. A standard homebuyer or mortgage valuation usually views the roof from the ground and notes it in a line or two. A dedicated roof survey is carried out by roofers who get close to the covering, flashings, chimney and gutters, identify the actual faults, and tell you what repair or replacement will involve. If a general surveyor has flagged the roof, a specialist survey is how you find out what it really means.
Should I get a roof survey before buying a property?
If the roof is older, the property is a tenement or conservation building, or a homebuyer report has raised a concern, a pre-purchase roof survey is well worth it. A roof is one of the most expensive elements of a building to put right, so knowing its true condition before you commit can save thousands or give you grounds to renegotiate. We survey for buyers across Edinburgh every week.
Can your report be used for an insurance claim?
Yes. Our written reports include dated, high-resolution photographs of the damage and a clear description of the cause and the remedial work needed, which is exactly what insurers ask for. Our guide to roof insurance claims walks through how to use a report to support a claim and avoid common hold-ups.
What does a condition survey actually check?
We assess the roof covering (slate, tile or membrane), the ridges, hips, verges and valleys, lead flashings and soakers, the chimney head and flaunching, gutters and downpipes, and visible signs of water ingress, movement or past patch repairs. Where useful we'll inspect the roof space and sarking too. You get a written report setting out condition, priorities and likely lifespan.
How quickly can you carry out a survey and report?
For most domestic properties we can survey within a few days, and sooner where a purchase or insurance deadline is involved. The written report follows shortly after the visit. Call our team and tell us the deadline you're working to and we'll do our best to fit around it.
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A free, no-obligation survey and a fixed written quote from Edinburgh's award-winning family roofers.