West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof surveys in BN42
Own or manage a property in BN42? We cover Southwick, Kingston by Sea and Shoreham-by-Sea and every street in between, for homes, flats and commercial roofs.
Where we work in BN42
Our services across BN42
- Storm damage roof report
- Roof survey
- Gutter survey
- Pre-purchase roof survey
- Electronic leak detection
- Roof leak investigation
- Thermal imaging roof survey
- Landlord roof survey
- Chimney survey
- Drone roof survey
- New roof snagging
- Flat roof survey
- All services
Send the address and what’s prompted the survey to book a survey: phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
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Every area we cover
Our roof survey service in BN42
Roof coverings last a long time, but not for ever. Slate frequently lasts a century or more, and tiles commonly half a century, yet nails, battens and underlay often fail first. A survey shows which parts of your roof are wearing. That lets you plan work in good time rather than after a leak. We survey chimney stacks, lead flashings and natural slate, and people most frequently book us about cracked or blistered flat roof coverings and worn lead at chimneys and abutments.
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photographs as we go and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take an hour or two for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys.
- You tell us about the property and any concerns.
- We arrange a day that suits you, including weekends.
- We look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, inside and out.
- Slates or tiles, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are all examined and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
What you’ll pay
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Why customers in BN42 book us
- PI and public liability insurance
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
Arrange a survey
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Local landmarks in Southwick
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Eastbrook Primary Academy, St Michael and All Angels Church and Benfield Hill. You’ll also find The Ship Inn (less than half a mile south), Shoreham Academy (0.5 miles west) and Shoreham College (0.6 miles south-west). Southwick has its own railway station: Southwick station. A little further out are Southlands Hospital (1 mile west) and Churchill Square (4 miles east). For a walk, there is Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.
Homes and roofs across BN42
In BN42, our roof surveys work takes in owners, landlords and managing agents, in Shoreham-by-Sea, Portslade and Southwick and well beyond. Every report comes with photographs and written recommendations.
London and South East England mix slate and clay tile roofs on older homes with concrete tiles on many later ones. Each roof in BN42 is checked with its age and materials in mind. Coastal towns and villages in BN42 see more salt and wind than places inland, which wears metal fixings and flashings faster. Ridges and verges facing the sea are worth checking after every big storm.
Southwick: Anyone responsible for a site like Eastbrook Primary Academy will know that its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. Portslade Manor lies about 0.8 miles north-east, so building around Southwick goes back a long way. On a period home nearby, the survey separates sound original work from tired later repairs.
What this survey can’t tell you
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- The condition of the rest of the building (that’s a RICS home survey)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Confirmation of asbestos in soffits or cement sheets
Landlord and commercial surveys in BN42
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in BN42. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or email us.
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as householders. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the roof, useful for planning maintenance.
What affects the cost of roof surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- How big the roof is
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. You will know the figure before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
If you are buying, it’s useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Include dormers, porches and garages when you book
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
- Keep a record of damp patches and dates
- Tell us about any leaks or stains you’ve seen
The recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant. Some faults need dealing with soon, while others can wait for planned work. It makes the next steps much clearer.
Have gutters and valleys cleared regularly, ideally after the leaves have fallen. Use a gutter contractor rather than climbing a ladder yourself. Clear gutters prevent a lot of damp.
Common roof problems in BN42
The coverings are rarely the first thing to fail. On slate roofs, corroded nails let slates slip, which is known as ‘nail fatigue’. On tiled roofs, battens and pegs can rot.
People typically book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Worn or blocked valleys
Your questions about roof surveys in BN42
What if it rains on the day?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions are not right, we will talk to you about another date.
How much does a roof survey cost in BN42?
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included.
Can you check whether my roof contains asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. Where materials might contain it, we say so in the report and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
How long does a roof survey take?
It typically takes between one and two hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey seven days a week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Just tell us the days that suit you.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
Does a roof survey replace a structural engineer?
No. We report on the roof’s condition, and Standard and Premium include structural checks. It is not a structural engineer’s report and doesn’t include calculations.