Roof survey before buying.
Know the roof before you sign.
A roof is one of the most expensive parts of a house to redo, and one of the hardest to judge on a viewing. We go up, record its state, and write down what was and was not checked.
The question that decides it
Will the seller allow openings?
If yes: full report. We open the roof in two to three places and record the waterproofing, the insulation and the timber. You sign knowing what is under the tiles at the points opened; sampling does not rule out hidden defects elsewhere. If openings turn out not to be possible on the day, for a reason other than the weather, you receive the standard report and pay its fee; if rain or wind prevents them, we move the date at no charge, as the roof survey page states.
If no: standard report. We record what can be seen without opening anything, and the report states plainly that the condition under the tiles was not inspected. A refusal can have ordinary reasons, such as co-owners or a tenant; either way, you decide knowing the roof was not opened.
Because the property is not yet yours, openings require written consent from the person authorised to approve the intervention and, for a jointly owned roof, the necessary approvals. Providing access alone is not sufficient.
What you get in each report
Side by side, before you ask.
| What is included | Standard report | Full report |
|---|---|---|
| Attica, including 24% VAT | €434 | €744 |
| Excluding VAT | €350 | €600 |
| Inspection of the roof and the space below it | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gutters and traces of water | ✓ | ✓ |
| Measurements of dimensions and slopes, and photographs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Written report | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sample openings, about 1 m² in 2–3 places | — | Yes, with written consent |
| Drone imaging | — | Where a flight is lawful, safe and feasible |
| Walk-through of the report | — | In person, or online if you live far away |
| What you learn about what is under the tiles | Nothing: the report states plainly it was not inspected | Waterproofing, insulation and timber at each opening |
| If you commission work on the same building within 6 months of delivery, 10% of its value is deducted | Up to €434 (incl. VAT) | Up to €744 (incl. VAT) |
| Payment | 50% when the date is confirmed, 50% on delivery, by bank transfer; the report is released on full payment | |
What it gives you before signing
A document, not an opinion over the phone.
The report tells you what state the roof is in and, where the evidence allows it, an estimated range for the repair cost; it is not a quotation. You can take it into the discussion before the agreement. If requested, we provide a separate quotation for roofing work after the purchase; it is not included in the report fee.
50% is paid when the date is confirmed and 50% when the report is delivered, by bank transfer. The report is released on full payment.
If you commission work on the same building within six months of the report's delivery, we deduct 10% of its value, up to the whole report fee: the whole €744 from €7,440 of work upwards, the whole €434 from €4,340 upwards. On smaller work, 10% of its value is deducted: €99.20 on €992 of work. Amounts include 24% VAT (excluding VAT: €600 from €6,000, €350 from €3,500, €80 on €800).
These fees apply to one roof of up to about 200 m², on one building. For a larger or more complex roof, a villa or several buildings, we give a written price before booking.
Buying from abroad
You do not need to be in Greece.
- You send us the address, the listing or a few photos, and your timeline.
- We tell you which report fits, and send the total price, scope and delivery date in writing, with cancellation, rescheduling and any applicable statutory withdrawal terms.
- Your lawyer, agent or the seller arranges access and, for openings, the written consent.
- We inspect, and you receive the report and photographs. The full report's walk-through can be online.
Outside Attica and on the islands, additional days and travel costs apply. How it is calculated.
What it is not
A specialist contractor's report, said plainly.
The author is a builder, not a licensed engineer. The report covers the points inspected with visible and safe access. It does not replace a licensed engineer's structural study, a legal check of the property or a review of its permits, and it is not a valuation or a certification. Your lawyer checks the title and an engineer checks legality; we look at the roof.
Questions
The seller will not allow openings. Is a survey still worth it?
It can be. The standard report records what can be seen without opening the roof, and it states plainly that what is under the tiles was not inspected. You know what you know and what you do not.
Who has to agree to openings?
The person authorised to approve the intervention, in writing, and for a jointly owned roof the necessary approvals. Providing access or a key alone is not sufficient.
I live abroad. Can you do this without me there?
Yes. Someone needs to give us access, and we agree the report language and delivery date before booking. The full report's walk-through can be online.
Does the report tell me what the property is worth?
No. It is not a valuation, a legal check, a permit review or a structural study. It records the condition of the roof.
Send us the address and when you need to decide.
We will tell you which report fits and when we can be on the roof.
Request a survey