East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Brightling
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Brightling.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
Landlords, agents and block managers in Brightling
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photos, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Brightling
A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building, and the roof is only one part of it. Our survey is not a RICS survey, and it does not replace one. It adds a focused look at the roof on its own, with photos and written recommendations you can act on. The two sit side by side if you want the fullest picture. If you’re worried about chimney mortar that has eroded and blocked or leaking gutters, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Somewhere as small as Brightling, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you’re buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly.
- Where
- Brightling (TN32)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Brightling
Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
For landlords with property near Robertsbridge station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. Bateman's, about 1.9 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Brightling. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Brightling is about 9 miles north of Bexhill-on-Sea, in East Sussex. Wherever you are in Brightling, we can carry out pre-purchase roof surveys at your property. Across East Sussex, we cover Brightling and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
Every address in TN32 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on The Street and Rectory Hill or a nearby road, we can help. We also cover the places around Brightling: Hollingrove (1 mile east), Twelve Oaks (1 mile south), Oxley's Green (1 mile north-east), Netherfield (3 miles south-east) and Penhurst (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (13 miles south), Hastings (10 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (9 miles south), Hailsham (9 miles south-west), Crowborough (12 miles north-west) and St Leonards (10 miles south-east).
Near you in Brightling
For rail, the closest station is Robertsbridge station, roughly 3.3 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Old Castle (2.3 miles south-west) and Ticehurst House Hospital (5.9 miles north).
Useful tips for Brightling property owners
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Request records of any re-roofing
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Do not leave it until just before exchange
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Each defect is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
After strong winds, look at the roof from the ground. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Dealing with them early keeps water out.
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Many leaks start at a flashing, so we check each one closely. We photograph any that need work.
Natural slate
Older slate roofs often have bitumen felt under them, and very old ones may have none. From inside the roof space, we report what we can see of it.
When to book a survey in Brightling
Gutter problems often look minor from the street. Water spilling over a gutter soaks brickwork and can rot fascias and rafter ends. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. They’re part of what we check.
Common reasons to book include:
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Flashings that have lifted or split
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near The Parish Church of St Thomas A Becket, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs frequently have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Towns and villages near Brightling
More services for Brightling
Can I check my roof myself?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Brightling questions
Is Brightling within the area you cover?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Do you cover Brightling?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Brightling is part of that. Just ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is normally fine; heavy rain and wind are different. In strong wind or a downpour, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. The report is most useful before exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
How long does the survey visit take?
The visit usually takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. We’ll give you an idea of timing when booking.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
How the survey works
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from each safe vantage point, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. It usually takes about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Somewhere as small as Brightling, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- Once your offer has been accepted, you book and give us the address and your timescale.
- Access is arranged through you, the agent or the seller.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
How to prepare
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Arrange a survey
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Brightling, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you need to know help us give you an accurate price.