Roof Opinion on Possible House Purchase - Rosemary Tiles Circa 1910

[noseall]

Noseall – I did not know this term in relation to roof tiles, I’ll look into it thanks. 60k+ is a lot, and if it was to cost this much it would put me off buying it. I was hoping to allow for 15-20k to add new battens and add a membrane.

£20k will be lost on that roof. You could spend that just on leadwork.

I assumed these tiles can be re-used.

Early machine made plain clays were notorious for delaminating. Millions of tiles have been replaced since with better double camber plains. Yours look like they are of that era, though evidence of which is on the backs of the tiles, so not easy to see.

If they have started to perish on the backs (usually bottom third of the tile) they will need binning. No Idea what state the lead is in but that roof could surpass £100k if a lot of work needs doing.

 

[Si_]

Good to know that maybe all is lost, I would just need to get the correct person for the job.

For your own sake, pretend you never read anything that poster wrote. Get multiple assessments and estimates from firms with a proven history of working on such buildings, because if you don't, that roof has the potential to financially turn out your lights. Good luck.

 

[shen]

OP,
As poster# 2 mentioned & I implied similar that the roof we see is good to go for who knows how much longer? FWIW: here's just a few points for you & any other interested viewers:

The box gutter ( "the stepped valley") looks fine, & GRP replacements for box gutters & valleys are available. The GRP is relatively cheap & simple to install.
I dont see much in the way of efflorescence.
Perhaps moss has had a historic grip on parts of the roof?
The scaffolding required for the whole roof would be very basic for a scaffolder.
There are no turrets, & no such trade as a "specialist heritage roofer" - there are roofers, & any roofer would take that whole roof in their stride.
There's no lead flat roof.

The more or less harmless white fungus seen in the loft is caused by condensation, ie. humid air rising up from the floors below. A sealed, well insulated loft is the answer, and a Residential roofing contractor College Station can also advise on improving ventilation and insulation if needed.

Sounds pretty typical for a 1910 house rather than anything major. The older roof will likely need a full re-roof at some point, but that’s expected. Rafters are usually fine unless there’s sagging or rot, and the white stuff is most likely condensation mould from poor ventilation, which is common in older roofs. Roughly allow £15k–£25k total for roof, rewire and chimney work, and get a full survey before committing.

 

[denso13]

Roughly allow £15k–£25k total for roof, rewire and chimney work

Allow that for the rewire, never mind anything else.

 

[ree]

OP,
When I posted above I obviously knew that you were the OP but to indirectly question the posters who made claims not supported by facts - they've still not explained their claims - I made a general cover post to you.

In survey reports the white stuff in the loft is often called "White Mold", & its "harmless".
There are no "turrets" of course, even for posters who claim: "I see turrets" No flat roof either.

Poster #17, I would be very interested if you would answer your earlier claims because buying a house is a very serious business not to be taken lightly?
Posters #2 & #13 will give you good examples from their own experience.

 

[Si_]

Poster #17, I would be very interested if you would answer your earlier claims because buying a house is a very serious business not to be taken lightly?

Which is why I twice recommended the OP get professional assessments from people who routinely do such work, as opposed to saying it's 'very basic' stuff that 'any roofer' can do, and the rest of the *******s you've posted.

 

[^woody^]

You need to get your cost advice from a survey report, not an internet forum.

You will have potential significant costs in the short and medium term, and the asking price is unlikely to reflect them.

 

[ree]

Poster #21,

Why are you swearing - is that the new "professional assessment" for a home buyer?
The OP asked for opinions.

"Its nearing the end of its life in its entirety ... even if its "only" a case of replacing battens"
"I'd be budgeting six figures for that. It has just about every complexity you could imagine for a tiled roof "
Unfortunately, your posts are circular, & dodge the issue & my questions. Saying what you claim you are not saying?
For example: Please define a few of the "complexities" you say you see?

 

[noseall]

Roughly allow £15k–£25k total for roof, rewire and chimney work, and get a full survey before committing.

You are missing a zero.