Whether you're buying a property, planning maintenance, or need documentation for insurance, a professional roof inspection gives you the facts you need to make informed decisions.
JB Contractors provides thorough roof inspections across Plymouth and throughout Plymouth. Our detailed reports help homeowners, buyers, and property professionals understand exactly what condition a roof is in.
When You Need a Roof Inspection
Buying a Property
Standard homebuyer surveys often don't assess roofs in detail. A specialist roof inspection before purchase can reveal problems that would cost thousands to fix, giving you negotiating power or helping you avoid a costly mistake.
Planning Maintenance
Regular inspections identify developing problems before they become serious. Catching a few slipped tiles early prevents the water damage that leads to expensive repairs.
Insurance Purposes
After storm damage or when making a claim, an independent inspection report documents the extent of damage and provides evidence for your insurer.
Selling a Property
A clean bill of health for your roof reassures buyers and can prevent surveys raising concerns that delay sales.
Dispute Resolution
If you've had roofing work done that you believe is substandard, an independent inspection provides evidence for complaints or legal proceedings.
Our Inspection Process
Visual Examination
We inspect your roof from ground level, from a ladder at eaves level, and from within the loft space where accessible. For complex or inaccessible roofs, we use drone photography.
What We Check
- Condition of tiles/slates (cracking, slippage, wear)
- Ridge tiles and hip tiles
- Valleys, flashings, and junctions
- Chimneys and penetrations
- Gutters, fascias, and soffits
- Condition of timbers (from loft)
- Felt/membrane condition (from loft)
- Ventilation adequacy
- Signs of water ingress
- Overall remaining lifespan estimate
Detailed Report
You receive a comprehensive written report within 48 hours, including:
- Clear assessment of roof condition
- Photographs documenting any issues
- Priority rating of any repairs needed
- Estimated costs for recommended work
- Assessment of remaining useful life
- Recommendations for ongoing maintenance
Inspection Types
Standard Inspection
Visual inspection from ground, ladder, and loft with written report. Suitable for most residential properties.
Pre-Purchase Survey
More detailed inspection for property buyers, including specific focus on issues that could affect purchase decisions.
Insurance Assessment
Focused inspection documenting storm damage or other insured events, formatted for insurance claim submission.
Drone Survey
For large, complex, or inaccessible roofs, aerial photography provides detailed imagery without scaffolding costs.
Independent and Unbiased
Our inspection service is entirely independent. We report what we find honestly, whether that's a clean bill of health or significant problems. We won't manufacture issues to generate repair work, and we won't downplay problems to protect anyone's interests.
You're under no obligation to use us for any repairs identified – the inspection report is yours to use as you see fit.
Questions we get asked
How much does a roof inspection cost?
Standard inspections start from £95-150 depending on property size and location. Pre-purchase surveys are £150-200. We confirm pricing before booking.
How long does an inspection take?
Typically 1-2 hours on site depending on roof size and complexity. You'll receive your report within 48 hours.
Do I need to be home?
Not necessarily, if we have access to the loft and exterior. However, many clients prefer to be present so we can show them any issues directly.
Can you inspect during bad weather?
We can't safely inspect roofs in rain, high winds, or icy conditions. We'll reschedule if weather makes inspection unsafe.
Will the inspection find all problems?
We inspect visible and accessible areas thoroughly. However, some issues (inside wall cavities, under tiles) can't be seen without invasive investigation. We'll note any limitations in our report.

