Roofs and flat roofs
The report places purpose-made hip tiles on a gambrel, the half dormer and the mitred hip on the opposite corner in one paragraph. Which of those were inspected, and which were merely named?
The purpose-made hip tiles were inspected only as far as they could be seen. The half dormer was inspected for the face and cheeks that were in view. The mitred hip on the opposite corner was merely named if the view of it was poorer, and the paragraph should be read with that limit. The survey has not decided that all three are sound. Sharing a paragraph means they were discussed together. It does not mean each junction was opened or tested.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.
What is the fuller explanation?
A gambrel breaks from a steep lower slope to a shallower upper one, so the hips are long. Purpose-made hip tiles are shaped to close that arris. A half dormer is cut into the slope, and its cheeks and flashings are the usual weak lines. A mitred hip uses cut tiles instead of a purpose-made cap, which is a different detail on the far corner. A clear view of one hip is not an inspection of the other. The wording ought to keep those differences visible.
If the paragraph is ambiguous, ask which of the three was actually in view. Ask the solicitor to raise any known leaks at the half dormer. A roofer with safe access can compare the purpose-made hip with the mitred corner. Do not let the neater hip speak for the far one. The home survey has not tested the junctions and has not written a repair specification for the gambrel.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- Which hip was clearly seen, the purpose-made tiles or the mitred corner?
- What of the half dormer, including any cheek, was actually in view?
- Does the note say the opposite corner was only named?
What are the typical next steps?
- Split the three details rather than reading one verdict.
- Ask where the view of the mitred hip ran out.
- Raise any dormer leaks through your solicitor.
Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.
Also asked about this
Are purpose-made hip tiles automatically better than a mitred hip?
They are different details, not a ranking this survey has given. Purpose-made tiles can fail in the bedding, and a mitred hip can fail at the cuts. The visit recorded what was there as far as it was seen. It did not test either corner or decide which one needs work.
Does the half dormer share one flashing with the gambrel hip?
Not as a rule. The dormer meets the slope on its own line, and the hip is the arris of the gambrel. They share a paragraph because both are roof details, not because they are one flashing. The survey has not said that work to one will sort the other.