London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Brighton and Hove
Wherever you are in Brighton and Hove, our roof surveyors can carry out pre-purchase roof surveys. Written reports with photos, and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Where we work in Brighton and Hove
What it covers: a roof survey before you buy a house or flat. Every town and village has its own page, listed below. To book, call 07833 053749.
Largest places
Our pre-purchase roof survey service in Brighton and Hove
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a close look at it before you’re committed. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, plus the loft where there’s safe access. You get a photo-illustrated written report. Typical surveys look at gaps where slates or tiles have come loose and damp timbers or stains in the loft, across chimney stacks, clay and concrete tiles and the roof space.
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. All told, expect about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We check the roof from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
Prices in Brighton and Hove
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. You will know the price for your survey before booking.
Why clients in Brighton and Hove book us
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- An independent look at the roof
- PI and public liability insurance
- Prices that include VAT
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
What’s near Brighton
Typical jobs here are in homes near Fairlight Primary School, St Martin's Church and Park Crescent pub. Also close by are Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (0.9 miles west), Academy of Creative Training (0.9 miles south) and William Clarke Park (under half a mile east). Brighton has its own railway station: London Road (Brighton) station. A little further out are Brighton General Hospital (0.7 miles east) and Old Police Cells Museum (1 mile south-west). Green spaces nearby include Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
Homes and roofs across Brighton and Hove
The roofs we see across Brighton and Hove run from slate and clay tile on older houses to concrete tiles and membranes on newer ones. For a purchase or a new roof, the materials and the age of the work shape what we look at.
Several airports in London and South East England have flight restriction zones around them, so every drone flight in Brighton and Hove is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Flights that need permission only go ahead once it is given. Coastal towns and villages in Brighton and Hove see more salt and wind than places inland, which wears metal fixings and flashings faster. After a storm, the seaward side of a roof is the place to look first.
Brighton: If you let a flat or house near London Road (Brighton) station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. Royal Pavilion, about 0.8 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Brighton. Older homes in the area can come with listed status or conservation area rules, which affect re-roofing, so check with the council before you buy.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Common roof problems in Brighton and Hove
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and ponding, blisters and splits are common signs of age. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, because many can only be seen from an upstairs window.
Problems we come across often include:
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Different roofs, different checks
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay plain tiles are common on older South East homes, and some still have peg tiles. Rotten pegs let tiles slide, so we look for gaps along the courses.
Natural slate
Good slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings, yet the nails that fix it often give out first. When slates start to slip, corroded nails are often the reason.
For landlords and managing agents
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we check:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- How big the roof is
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the roof. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
A few details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you get in touch, it helps to mention:
- Anything about access we should know
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- What kind of property and roof it is
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Brighton and Hove: your questions answered
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in.
Do you work in Brighton and Hove?
Yes. We cover Brighton and Hove, as part of our work across London and South East England. For a price, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Can you survey in bad weather?
A survey can usually go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
How quickly will I get the report?
It depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Tell us your exchange date and we’ll help you choose.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it typically takes about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.