West Sussex · London and the South East
Adur Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Adur, with photos and a clear written report.
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
Pre-purchase roof survey in Adur: what you get
A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building, so the roof is one item among many. Our survey is not a RICS survey, and it does not replace one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photographs of what we find and written recommendations. The two sit side by side. If you are worried about roof slopes that look uneven or sagging and loose pots and cracked flaunching, we can find out what’s behind it.
Some older homes in villages like Adur are listed or sit in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it’s worth knowing which applies, as well as what condition the roof is in. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Location
- Adur (BN43, BN15)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings and valleys
Many leaks start at a flashing, so they get close attention in a pre-purchase survey. We photograph any that need work.
Clay and concrete tiles
Concrete interlocking tiles are common on post-war and newer homes. They’re heavy and hard-wearing, but they weather and can crack.
Tips from our surveys
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
- Check we’ll be able to get into the loft space
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the defects and where they are, so each quote covers the same ground.
Keep an eye on chimneys and flashings in your new home. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. Binoculars from ground level are enough for a first look.
The survey, step by step
After the inspection, everything we found is written up as a written report with photos. On timing, most surveys take about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Rural addresses near Adur can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it’s safe.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations before you exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Leave side gates unlocked
Booking a survey
For a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Adur, ring 07833 053749 or email us. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Related advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. By the time a stain shows, timber or plaster may already be damp. Spotting it before you buy means you know about it from day one. Older and listed buildings around Adur may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Prices start from £150, with VAT included, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both including VAT. You will know the price for your survey before booking.
What you get with us
- 98% of customers satisfied
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Plain-English reports with photos
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Common questions in Adur
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Adur?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport is about 2 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
How do I find out if my home in Adur is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What’s the best way to book?
It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. Give us the address and a few details about the roof. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
What if it rains on the day?
It can, depending on the survey. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions aren’t right, we’ll talk to you about another date.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes, you can. You will have photos and a written description of each defect, which you can share with the seller or agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
They do different things. A RICS home survey covers the whole building, and ours concentrates on the roof alone. Ours sits alongside a RICS survey rather than replacing it.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
When to book a survey in Adur
Most viewings never get near the roof. You walk round the rooms, but the roof stays out of sight, and a quick glance from the street misses a lot. New paint on a ceiling can hide old water stains, which is why buyers book a closer look before committing.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
If you own a rental within reach of Shoreham-By-Sea station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Before you book anyone
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What insurance they carry
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Adur: local notes
Adur is within about 2 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Adur is about 2 miles from Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport. Where the drone is part of the survey, the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions first.
Take an older house close to St Nicolas' Church: the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light. Historic houses such as Portslade Manor, about 3.2 miles east, show how far back building around Adur goes. If you are buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Adur is about 1 mile north-west of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Adur is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Adur is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. Brighton is in our area too.
Here we cover the BN43 and BN15 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Steyning Road, Coombes Road and Mill Hill or a nearby road, we can help. Other places close to Adur include Old Shoreham (1 mile south), Shoreham-by-Sea (1 mile south-east), Castle Town (2 miles north), Kingston by Sea (2 miles east) and Southwick (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Horsham (15 miles north), Worthing (5 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (11 miles west) and Rustington (10 miles west).
Local landmarks in Adur
In Adur, that means homes and buildings near Sussex Pad pub. The closest station to Adur is Shoreham-By-Sea station, roughly 1.5 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Steyning Museum (2.9 miles north-west) and Old Castle (4.9 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Lancing Ring and Mill Hill.
Nearby places to Adur
Other services in Adur
For landlords and managing agents
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in. We survey on any day of the week, which can make access easier.