Building Survey Roof Concerns

By Joe Marshall, Marshall Surveying Solutions — independent drone roof inspections in Southampton and Hampshire.

Buying a home is a big commitment. If your building survey raises concerns about the roof, it can leave you wondering how serious the problem is—and what you might be taking on.

The first step is to understand what the surveyor has actually identified. Has a visible defect been found, or was their view too limited to assess the roof properly? Those are different situations and may need different next steps.

Start with the surveyor’s comments

Read the roof section carefully and ask your surveyor to explain anything unclear.

Find out which part of the roof needs further attention, what they could see and what they recommend investigating. If the report calls for structural advice or further investigation inside the building, a drone inspection alone will not answer those questions.

Where the concern relates to the visible roof covering or details that could not be seen closely, additional photographic evidence may help.

What can a drone roof inspection show?

A drone can capture views of roof areas that are difficult to see from the ground. Depending on access, weather and safe flying conditions, these may include:

- Roof tiles, slates and ridge details.

- Valleys, gutters and visible debris.

- Flashings and roof junctions.

- Chimneys, dormers and rooflights.

- Accessible views of flat roof coverings.

The value comes from assessing those photographs and explaining the visible findings—not simply supplying aerial pictures.

At Marshall Surveying Solutions, I bring 17 years of practical roofing experience and 20 years in the industry to that assessment.

What are the limitations?

A drone inspection is a visual, non-intrusive inspection. It cannot establish the condition of concealed timbers, insulation or every layer beneath a roof covering.

It also cannot prove that a roof is watertight. A visible defect may warrant further investigation, but photographs alone do not always establish the cause of a leak.

An MSS condition report supplements your building survey. It does not replace it or provide a structural assessment.

Get clearer evidence before agreeing repairs

If roofing work has been proposed, ask what evidence supports the recommendation and which defects the work is intended to address.

An independent condition report can help you understand the visible issues and discuss them with your surveyor, seller or roofing contractor. Some findings may call for repairs or further investigation; others may be maintenance items worth monitoring.

MSS does not carry out roofing repairs, so our assessment is independent of selling the work that may follow.

Need a closer look at a roof in Southampton or Hampshire?

Send Marshall Surveying Solutions the property address and the relevant roof comments from your building survey.

We can review the concern, advise whether a drone inspection is suitable and provide a quote for an independent roof inspection and photographic condition report.