West Sussex · London and the South East
Coates Gutter Survey
A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes for Coates, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Rotten fascias or stained soffits
- Water backing up from a hidden gutter
- Leaves and moss blocking gutters
Gutter survey in Coates: what you get
Leaves, moss and silt are the usual reasons gutters block. Homes close to trees fill their gutters faster and moss from the roof slopes makes it worse. Our survey shows which gutters are blocked or standing full and where outlets or hoppers are choked and whether any overflows are doing their job. The photographs show you exactly what we found. It is an easy job to put off, but they rarely get better. We’re frequently asked to look into fascia boards damaged by overflowing water and choked outlets or hopper heads, across downpipes, fascias and soffits and parapet and box gutters.
Somewhere as small as Coates, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. We report on what can be seen safely, and thatch is a specialist material. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs often need the most attention.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Place
- Coates (RH20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Fascias and soffits
On buildings from before 2000, soffits may be asbestos cement. We flag any that could be so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check them before they’re disturbed.
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead gutters need their linings, steps and outlets in good order as far as they can be seen safely. Missing lead is something we check for too.
Prices for gutter surveys in Coates
Our packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The roof’s overall size
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
Getting in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The property’s address and postcode
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Common roof problems in Coates
Sometimes a gutter struggles with the area of roof draining into it. Added roof area from an extension can load an older gutter and the weakness shows in a heavy downpour.
People usually book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Hoppers and outlets full of debris
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
- Dripping or leaking gutter joints
If you own a rental within reach of Pulborough station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
What to check before booking
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- What happens after the report arrives
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- When you’ll get the report
Other services in Coates
What we can’t see
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Gutters out of sight from every safe viewpoint
- What’s hidden inside a downpipe
- Underground drains, which need a CCTV drain survey
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valley gutters
- Downpipes
- Parapet and box gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Eaves gutters
- Fascias and soffits
How it works
Once we’ve finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photos. On timing, most surveys take about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Older roofs in small places like Coates can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We ask about overflows, damp or leaks you’ve noticed.
- Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits are inspected from safe vantage points.
- Valley, parapet and box gutters are inspected as far as they can be seen safely.
- The loft space is checked for water marks if it’s safe to get into.
- We send a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Getting a price
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
FAQs for Coates
How do I find out if my home in Coates is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you cover smaller places like Coates?
Yes. Coates is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where it applies.
How do I book a survey in Coates?
Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date, weekday or weekend.
What happens after the survey?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
Is a Saturday or Sunday visit possible?
Yes, weekend visits are possible as well as weekdays. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email to arrange it.
Does the season matter for a gutter survey?
Whenever suits you. If water is already spilling over, book sooner rather than later, because the walls take the water.
Local roofs in Coates
Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. About 2.1 miles south lies Bignor Roman Villa, a reminder of how long the area around Coates has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Anyone responsible for a site like Fittleworth CofE Village School will know that its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. The streets around a church like Church of St Agatha are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs.
Coates is about 10 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Whether the building in Coates is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Crawley.
Every address in RH20 is covered for gutter surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Nearby, we also carry out gutter surveys in Lower Horncroft (1 mile east), Fittleworth (1 mile north-east), Bedham (1 mile north-east), Watersfield (2 miles south-east) and Coldwaltham (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (12 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (10 miles south) and Lancing (14 miles south-east).
What’s near Coates
Around Coates, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Swan Hotel. The nearest railway station is Pulborough station, about 2.7 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Coates Castle (0.5 miles south-west) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (2 miles north-west). Open spaces near Coates include Bignor Hill and Amberley Wild Brooks.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Coates
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.