West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Burgess Hill
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Burgess Hill and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
Tips from our surveys
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
If the report shows work is needed, you can raise it with the seller or agent. Some buyers ask for repairs before completion, others ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller.
Check the roof from the garden and the street after a storm. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Burgess Hill
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Most of it cannot be seen from the street. We look closely and record what we see, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. Common reasons to book are roof slopes that look uneven or sagging and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, across natural slate, chimney stacks and gutters and downpipes.
Burgess Hill is the kind of town where older houses and newer estates sit side by side. Older houses often have slate or clay tiles on timbers that have done decades of work, while many later ones have concrete interlocking tiles. For a purchase or a new roof in Burgess Hill, the type of roof decides where the checks focus, from fixings and underlay to ridges and valleys. Many older roofs also have felt underlay or none at all, which matters as much as the tiles.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for instance when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Place
- Burgess Hill (RH15)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- A structural engineer’s report
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
What we look for on each type of roof
Gutters and parapets
The rainwater system keeps water off the walls. Leaking joints, sagging lengths and blockages are all noted.
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We look for lead that has lifted, split or been patched over.
Buying a home or a new roof in Burgess Hill
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. 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. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about.
Ockenden Manor, about 3.4 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Burgess Hill. If you’re buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing. Take an older house close to St John the Evangelist's Church: the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light. For landlords with property near Burgess Hill station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Burgess Hill is about 9 miles north of Brighton, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Burgess Hill, the roof can be surveyed. Across West Sussex, we cover Burgess Hill. You can also see our page for Brighton.
Here we cover the RH15 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Local streets include Church Road, Station Road and Lower Church Road, all of which we cover. With the A273 and B2036 close by, Burgess Hill is easy for us to reach. We also cover the places around Burgess Hill: Jacob's Post (1 mile west), World's End (1 mile north-east), Abbotsford (1 mile north-west), Goddards Green (2 miles west) and Hurst Wickham (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (11 miles north), Horsham (11 miles north-west), Worthing (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (3 miles north-east), East Grinstead (13 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (10 miles south-west). Burgess Hill is one of the larger places we cover in West Sussex.
Local landmarks in Burgess Hill
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Burgess Hill Girls, Oakmeeds Community College and The Six Gold Martlets pub. There’s a railway station in Burgess Hill itself: Burgess Hill station. Well-known places in the area include Burgess Hill Museum (under half a mile south-west) and Clayton Castle (3.4 miles south). Open spaces near Burgess Hill include Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Wolstonbury Hill.
How it works
We do not take risks to get a closer look. We inspect whatever is safely visible, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. Most visits take between one and two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Most visits in a town like Burgess Hill start at the front of the house and work round to the back. Rear gardens and side paths often give the best view of extensions and back slopes. Then, if it can be reached safely, we look in the loft.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
How to prepare
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Why get it checked now?
Leaving it means judging the roof from the street. That rarely shows the back slope, the valleys or the top of the chimney. We fill that gap before you are tied in, with photos of anything that needs attention. Extensions and dormers on homes around Burgess Hill often hide the first signs of trouble at their joints with the main roof. Left for a few seasons, it can spoil plaster, skirting and flooring inside.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Burgess Hill
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Prices that include VAT
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
Places near Burgess Hill
What else we do in Burgess Hill
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Burgess Hill
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Which survey package you book
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What we need to know
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- When you need the report by
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
When you’re ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or email us. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
FAQs for Burgess Hill
Do you carry out roof surveys in Burgess Hill?
Yes, Burgess Hill is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
What do I need to do before a survey in Burgess Hill?
It is useful to clear access to the loft, and to let us know about leaks, damp patches or recent work. Let us know about parking and access in Burgess Hill too.
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, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Ours sits alongside a RICS survey rather than replacing it.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do you go up on the roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. Much of the inspection is done from ground level, from windows and from the loft space. On Premium, a drone is used where applicable.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.