Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

West Sussex · London and the South East

Pre-purchase roof survey in Coates, West Sussex

Pre-purchase roof surveys in Coates from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.

  • Blocked or leaking gutters
  • Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
  • Signs of past leaks inside the loft

Pre-purchase roof surveys for Coates homes and businesses

What we look for on each type of roof

Clay and concrete tiles

Clay and concrete tiles commonly last 50 years or more. Cracked, slipped or missing tiles are noted, and for mismatched replacements that point to past repairs.

Natural slate

Slate is common on Victorian and Edwardian houses. We check for slipped, cracked and missing slates, and for clips or tingles that show past repairs.

Pre-purchase roof survey in Coates: what you get

We survey roofs for buyers in Coates and across London and South East England. From terraced and semi-detached homes to detached houses and flats, the roof gets the same careful look. The report says what’s in good order, what is not and what to deal with first. We’re insured for professional indemnity and public liability, with more than 20 years’ experience behind us. To book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We survey clay and concrete tiles, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and chimney stacks, and people most often book us about slipped or missing slates and tiles and blocked or leaking gutters.

Being in a small place like Coates makes no difference to the inspection itself: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.

How fast the report arrives depends on the package: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.

Where
Coates (RH20)
Region
West Sussex
Price
From £150 inc. VAT
Reports
Written, with photos, emailed to you
Appointments
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Cover
PI and public liability insurance
Call
07833 053749
Last updated
27 October 2026
Illustration of a roof survey report with roof pictures, text lines and a checklist beside it

What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys

Several things affect the price of a survey:

  • Roof area
  • The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
  • Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
  • The shape of the roof and its details

Prices start from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and the package you choose.

Helping us price your survey

These details help when you contact us:

  • Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
  • Dates you’re working to, like exchange
  • Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
  • What’s prompted the survey

If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.

FAQs for Coates

Is my home in Coates listed or in a conservation area?

The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.

Do you cover Coates?

Yes, Coates is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and South East England. You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details.

Can you survey in bad weather?

Light rain doesn’t normally stop a survey, 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 isn’t suitable.

How do I book a survey in Coates?

It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Give us the address and a few details about the roof, and we’ll take it from there. Surveys run on any day of the week.

Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?

We are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.

At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?

After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That gives you time to use the findings, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.

Can I use the report to negotiate on price?

Yes. You will have photos and a written description of each defect, which you can share with the seller or agent. How the seller responds is up to them.

Pre-purchase roof surveys in Coates: local notes

In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Whether you’re buying or checking new roofing work, knowing the materials helps make sense of what the inspection finds. The wider area around Coates has a long history of building, with Bignor Roman Villa about 2.1 miles south. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.

For landlords with property near Pulborough station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. If you live in an older home near Church of St Agatha, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.

Coates is about 10 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We visit Coates as part of our work across West Sussex. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Crawley.

Every address in RH20 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Lower Horncroft (1 mile east), Fittleworth (1 mile north-east), Bedham (1 mile north-east), Watersfield (2 miles south-east) and Coldwaltham (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (12 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (10 miles south) and Lancing (14 miles south-east).

Landmarks near Coates

In Coates, that means homes and buildings near The Swan Hotel. The nearest railway station is Pulborough station, roughly 2.7 miles east. Well-known places in the area include Coates Castle (0.5 miles south-west) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (2 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Bignor Hill and Amberley Wild Brooks.

Map of Coates © OpenStreetMap contributors

Useful tips for Coates property owners

These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:

  • Request records of any re-roofing
  • Book once your offer is accepted
  • Pass the findings to your conveyancer
  • Ask the seller about past roof repairs

After you move in, keep the report somewhere safe. Work through the urgent items before anything else, and use the photos as a record of how the roof looked when you bought. The Premium Survey includes a 12-month follow-up to see how things have changed.

After strong winds, look at the roof from ground level. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.

What happens if roof problems are left?

A mortgage valuation is not a roof survey. Its job is to check the property’s value for the mortgage, not at the condition of each slate and flashing. A roof survey is carried out for the buyer, and the report is written for you to use. Outbuildings and barns around Coates are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. A quick look before winter can save a lot.

Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we’ll tell you which fits.

Why book with us

  • An independent look at the roof
  • Every finding written up with photos
  • 20+ years’ experience
  • Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays

Take a look at what a roof survey costs and our case studies.

The survey, step by step

Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes about one to two hours for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. In a small place like Coates, access is usually the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.

  1. Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
  2. We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
  3. The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
  4. Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
  5. You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations before you exchange.

Before the survey

  • Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
  • Note where any stains or damp appear
  • Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work

Getting a price

When you are ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.

Ask for a survey

Related advice

Can I check my roof myself?

You can learn a lot from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.

Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book.

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT