West Sussex · London and the South East
Balls Cross Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat across Balls Cross, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Pre-purchase roof survey in Balls Cross
We survey roofs for buyers in Balls Cross and across London and South East England. From terraced and semi-detached homes to detached houses and flats, we follow the same careful process. The report says what’s in good order, what isn’t and what to deal with first. We are insured for professional indemnity and public liability, with more than 20 years’ experience behind us. To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’re often asked to look into chimney mortar that has eroded and ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof, on chimney stacks, lead flashings and valleys and gutters and downpipes.
Some older homes in villages like Balls Cross are listed or sit in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it is 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.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.

- Place
- Balls Cross (GU28)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Spotting it before you buy lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. In a small place like Balls Cross, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and the package you choose.
What you get with us
- An independent view of the roof
- Plain-English reports with photos
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Package prices that include VAT
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
Local roofs and buyers in Balls Cross
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Whether you are buying or checking new roofing work, knowing the materials helps make sense of what the inspection finds. Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Holy Trinity Church, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light. Petworth House, about 2.9 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Balls Cross. If you’re buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Balls Cross is about 12 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Surveys in Balls Cross work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful look at whatever is safely visible, photos and a clear written report. Balls Cross is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Guildford.
We survey roofs across GU28 for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. We also cover Kirdford (2 miles east), Mackerel's Common (2 miles north-east), Plaistow (3 miles north-east), Ifold (4 miles north-east) and Wisborough Green (4 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (12 miles east), Chichester (15 miles south-west), Littlehampton (15 miles south), Rustington (15 miles south), Storrington (10 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (6 miles east).
Around Balls Cross
Nearby you’ll also find Lodsworth Castle (4.7 miles south-west). The countryside around Balls Cross includes The Mens and Shillinglee Lake.
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Balls Cross
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Balls Cross and across West Sussex can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Balls Cross: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Balls Cross?
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.
Is Balls Cross in the area you cover?
Yes, Balls Cross is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Balls Cross as anywhere else.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. You need the report before you exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in, while outside access can be discussed as you book.
What’s the best way to book?
Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date, weekday or weekend.
Do you need access inside the house?
If it can be arranged, yes. From the roof space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If access is not possible, we note it in the report.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can usually go ahead in light rain. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
How it works
It is useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a small place like Balls Cross, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- Once your offer is accepted, you let us know the address and when you hope to exchange.
- Access to the house and the loft space is agreed beforehand.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Arrange a survey
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Read more
What you can safely check yourself
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Places near Balls Cross
Also in Balls Cross
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- Height and safe access
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Roof area
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
Helping us price your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- The address and postcode of the property
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.