No one wants to move into a new house the roof needs some work. A repair can be a few hundred pounds at best or if the damage is so bad you need a full replacement, you could be looking to pay between £3,000 and north of £18,000. This means gathering as much information on the property as you can before you make the offer, checking its success as an investment property for you, and having a network in place that can help you quickly invest.
One of the best ways to get a full picture of a property’s condition and specific insight on a roof is to commission a RICS Homebuyer Survey. With a focus on all the main elements of a property, this is a really useful tool if you are unsure about the roof. For very old or more complex homes, surveyors would always recommend a more in-depth RICS Building Survey. Look for things like tile or shingles that look out of place or areas of substrate. The surveyors check valleys and flat roofs to see how good they lie and how fast water would drain from them. Also, the check skylights to see if they look like they have water damage or are around 10 years old.
Observe the rest of the property when you’re checking out a roof. Problems such as dampness in the ceiling or in the top-floor rooms, any water stains on walls or ceilings, or a sagging ceiling could be an indication that there’s a leak in the roof.
Additionally, be certain to ask the seller/agent all questions because once you sign, you are stuck. We suggest asking, “Do you know how old the roof is?” Roofs generally last from 25 – to 50 years depending on how they are constructed and which materials were used. If you can find out the fitting date of the roof, it can give you an idea of when it may need to be replaced.
What’s the Roof made of?
You could expect to pay more for a more durable and better-quality roofing material. However, these roofs can last well more than 100 years if properly maintained. Concrete tile roofs can last anywhere between 40 and 80 years. EPDM rubber roofs can last between 40 and 60 years. Metal roofs can usually be expected to last 30 to 40 years. Asphalt roofs, commonly used for flat roofs, are one of the least expensive roofing materials on the market, but it will generally need to be replaced every 25 years or so.
Who installed the Roof?
If you can, find out the contractor’s name. It is not a legal requirement in the UK for roofers to have licences or certificates, but if your seller used a roofer who was registered with a competent person scheme, this will give you added protection under the scheme’s insurance-backed warranties and complaints procedures. Some schemes also have a deposit protection scheme. Elsewhere, the seller should have a Building Regulation Compliance certificate for any work undertaken.
Will the seller fix the roof if it needs to be fixed?
It would be better to negotiate with the seller if there was a new problem with the roof for their place. You have to think about whether you should make them do it and proceed to buy the property or negotiate with them to minimise the cost. This should be used alongside a professional Home Buyer Survey or full Building Survey. The Specific Defects Report would make a very powerful negotiating tool as it will give a more detailed look at the issue and what you are likely to have to do next.
Doubt about moving into your dream home? Call the team for advice now.
