Blog>Cost Guides>Roof inspection: Cost breakdown 2025
Last updated: 2 July 2025
Roof inspection: Cost breakdown 2025
A roof inspection can help you pick up on issues that you would otherwise have no idea about. That way, you can fix them before they start affecting the inside of your home in the form of leaks, damp and mould. But how much does a roof inspection cost?
A roof can have issues for a long time before you spot any signs. By the time you do notice, the damage may have become so severe that you're not only paying for roof repairs, but also repairs to the inside of your home. This is why roof inspections are so important.
In this guide, you’ll find the average cost of various types of roof inspections, the factors that can affect pricing, and any hidden costs to bear in mind.
Fast Facts
The average roof inspection cost is £250
Meanwhile, a drone roof survey typically costs £200
A roof inspection can help prevent extensive repairs from issues such as leaks, mould, or damp
Reviewed by
Mark Elliott
S4G Drone Services provide residential and commercial drone services, roof inspection reports and to assess condition/repairs required. Land surveying using advanced ground controls and RTK for either relative or absolute accuracy.
How much does a roof inspection cost in 2025?
The average cost of a roof inspection in the UK is £250. Paying for a roof inspection can help to highlight any minor issues with your roof before they become a major, more costly headache.
| Type of extension | Average cost + VAT |
|---|---|
| Roof inspection cost | £250 |
| Roof survey cost | £300 - £500 |
| Drone roof survey cost | £200 |
| Drone roof survey cost for commercial premises | £750 - £1,000 |
| Flat roof inspection cost | From £150 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |
Some companies offer free roof inspections. However, these are often very basic visual checks. For a more thorough and impartial assessment of your roof’s condition, it's a good idea to pay upfront for a report. That way, you can more easily compare quotes from roofers if repair work is needed.
Roof inspection costs in the UK
Roof survey cost
The more in-depth the roof survey, the more it will cost. It’s a good idea to consider an extensive survey if you are buying a property or haven’t had a survey done before.
And when you hire a checked tradeperson with Checkatrade, their work is backed by our guarantee, providing coverage of up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply).
The average roof survey cost is £275.
Drone roof survey cost
Drone inspections are becoming more and more popular. That is because they are efficient, accurate, and can spot tiny potential issues. Drone surveyors are checked tradespeople who will fly a drone over your roof to inspect it.
As Checkatrade member, Mark Sean Elliott of S4G Drone Services told us, a drone roof survey can be a particularly good option for properties that can't be accessed by ladders:
"The cost of scaffolding, particularly for properties that can’t be accessed by ladders, can be anywhere from £200-£1,000 per week (depending on property size). This can be saved by a drone inspection. As well as the roof, gutters, flashing and more can be inspected."
The average drone roof survey cost is £200.
Commercial drone roof survey cost
Mark from S4G Drone Services also spoke to us about commercial drone roof survey costs:
"A drone can inspect for building maintenance reasons, heat loss, leak identification and wear and tear.
"This can save a huge amount in terms of costs (heat loss, time to identify things like leaks, check efficiencies of solar panels, identify areas for repair) and is safer than personnel getting on to the roof. I use Thermal Camera drones for a lot of this work, which I then analyse and provide the findings to the customer.
"Costs to carry out the survey will depend on the complexity of the requirement, but typically would be in the range of £750-£1,000. This includes one day of research and preparation, one day of flying and data capture, and one to two days for post-production and analysis."
Flat roof inspection cost
Flat roofs are generally easier and faster to inspect due to their composition. These roofs are also safer for tradespeople to survey, due to the lack of roof slope that can be dangerous to work on.
The average flat roof inspection cost is £150.
Roof survey cost: Job estimator tool
Use our job estimator tool below to help calculate how much a roof survey costs in your area.
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Roof inspection prices per project
As we mentioned earlier, the more in-depth the roof inspection, the more it will cost. Ultimately, the reason why you’re having a roof inspected will impact the level of inspection needed. Here are some common reasons:
Buying a home: An extensive survey is advised to check structural integrity and spot issues before you agree to a sale
Ongoing maintenance: An annual roof inspection is considered good practice to make sure your roof is in good shape and to pre-emptively protect your home
Post-storm damage: Roof inspections can help to support insurance claims and assess urgent repairs
What does a roof survey involve?
As a general guide, here’s what you can expect from a roof survey:
Exterior: Checking tiles, guttering, and chimneys, looking for leaks, rot, or sagging
Interior: Searching for mould, damp, leaks, and condensation. Plus, checking your ventilation and insulation
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Factors affecting the cost of a roof inspection
Every property is different, so no two roof inspections will be the same.
There are several factors that can affect the price you pay (some more than others). These include:
Age of the roof
Older roofs are much more likely to have incurred damage over time and will usually take longer to survey. This can push up the price.
Type of property
Is your property detached or terraced? Double-storey or triple-storey? Each type of property will have a different roof survey price.
Size of roof
Larger roofs will take longer to inspect and, as such, will be more expensive.
Ease of access
Roofs that are difficult to access will have longer inspection times. This means a higher roof inspection cost.
Condition of the roof
It will be more expensive to survey a roof that is in poor condition. Repair prices will also be higher.
Drone or manual inspection
It may be cheaper to have a drone inspect your roof rather than a visual check.
Scaffolding costs
If your roof is difficult to reach and is unsafe, it may be necessary to hire scaffolding. This will increase the cost of your roof inspection.
Hidden costs to watch out for
As with all home repairs, it’s useful to have as much clarity on potential costs as possible before work begins. Some of the other costs that could be necessary as part of a roof inspection include:
Scaffolding hire – if access is restricted or not possible by ladder
Additional thermal imaging (for heat loss or leak detection)
A written report or photographic analysis
To avoid any costly surprises, request an itemised quote from your roof inspector so you can see what’s included and what might be charged as extra, if required.
Cost of hiring a tradesperson vs DIY
While you could technically inspect your roof yourself, it's not recommended.
For starters, it can be very dangerous. If your roof is damaged, you could even fall off or through into your attic, leading to injury and even more structural issues with your property.
By hiring a tradesperson with checked reviews from real people, you can find suppliers who have the skills and tools to carry out your roof inspection safely and to a Checkatrade Standard. Plus, you'll benefit from their years of experience in spotting tiny areas of damage that you would likely miss.
Checkatrade member, Mark Sean Elliott of S4G Drone Services, adds:
"A qualified drone pilot who has thermal capabilities can spot leaks, look for heat loss from the roof (a sign of damage/low insulation), and inspect solar panels if they are installed.
"Always check the person flying the inspection has an ‘Op-ID’ and is trained (ask to see A2CofC, GVC, or PfCO certification evidence)."
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Roof inspection cost checklist
Roof surveys can be used to spot damage as well as pre-emptively highlight any future issues
Roofs can be damaged by the weather, causing leaks or mould growth
The average roof inspection cost is £250, or around £200 for a drone roof survey
It’s dangerous to attempt a roof inspection yourself. In addition, a roof inspector is trained to identify small areas of damage that others would find difficult to spot
Find reviewed tradespeople offering roof inspection services to receive personalised roof inspection quotes. Enter your postcode below to begin.
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Roof inspection cost FAQs
Can I have my roof inspected for free?
Some contractors do offer free inspections, but they may be less in-depth compared to a full survey. It’s also worth noting that some free inspectors will be looking for an issue that you will then pay them to fix. This means they may be more biased than other tradespeople.
How often should I pay for a roof inspection?
This will depend on the age of your home and roof, as well as its current condition. Roof inspections should be done at least every five years, but older roofs should be inspected more frequently to promptly fix any problems.
When should I get a roof survey?
It's a good idea to get a roof inspection done if you're planning to purchase a new house.
If the roof requires costly repair work, you could always use this information to renegotiate the price.
That said, even if you have no plans to move home, a regular inspection of your roof will allow you to pre-emptively protect your home.
It’s a good idea to have a roof check-up at least once a year, just before winter. This will help make sure your roof can withstand rain, wind, snow, and ice during cold winter months. You'll also be able to catch any problems that the winter weather would otherwise make worse.
What are some common roof issues?
A roof can become damaged in several ways. Whatever the type of damage, speedy repairs are essential. The most common roof issues include:
Debris build-up
Is it worth getting a roof inspection
Although you might be tempted to put off paying for a roof inspection, getting one done will be worth it. Here are some of the main benefits of getting a roof inspection:
Save money: By spotting and fixing issues quickly before they develop into more serious problems, you can avoid expensive repair bills and potentially even stave off having to fork out for a full roof replacement
Protect your home: A roof inspection helps protect the interior of your home from leaks, damp, and mould. However, having a strong roof can even prevent criminals from gaining access. Not to mention, your home insurance may be invalid if you fail to report an issue with your roof
Gain information: If you're considering purchasing a property, getting a roof inspection will help to flag any issues that might result in unexpected roof costs in the near future. This can be a valuable decision-making tool and may even help you to negotiate the purchase price
Independent: If you opt for an independent roof survey, you can be confident that the information you're getting is completely impartial. This will help you to make a decision about which repairs to carry out, and can even make it easier for you to compare repair quotes from roofers near you
If the inspection picks up a roofing issue that I need to repair, how much will it cost to repair?
Roof repair costs can range from around £210 to £465 per m². The price you end up paying will depend entirely on the issue that is picked up in the roof inspection survey.
Check out our guide to roof repair costs for a breakdown of different roof issues and the broad costs to repair them.
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