West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Crabtree
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Crabtree, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Get in touch for a price.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
Pre-purchase roof survey in Crabtree: what you get
Tall, steep or hidden roofs are hard to judge from the street. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, plus a drone inspection where it applies, and the report arrives the same day. Where a flight is not possible, because of airspace rules or the weather, we tell you and inspect from every other safe vantage point. Common reasons to book are flashings that have lifted or split and damp timbers or stains in the loft, on flat-roofed extensions and dormers, the roof space and chimney stacks.
In a village or hamlet like Crabtree, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Location
- Crabtree (RH13)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- House, block, shop or office
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The size of the roof
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, how it can safely be seen and the package you choose.
Getting in touch
We’ll usually ask about:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Anything about access we should know
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- What made you get in touch
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Local roofs and buyers in Crabtree
Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Whether you’re 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, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you live in an older home near Old Church House the Glebe, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming. For landlords with property near Horsham station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Crabtree is about 5 miles south-east of Horsham, in West Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Crabtree can all book pre-purchase roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Crawley.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in RH13 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on Mill Lane, Peppersgate and Long Hill. Other places close to Crabtree include Lower Beeding (1 mile north), Colwood (1 mile south-east), Monk's Gate (2 miles north-west), Plummers Plain (2 miles north-east) and Mannings Heath (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (7 miles north-east), Horsham (5 miles north-west), Worthing (14 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (7 miles east), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-east) and East Grinstead (13 miles north-east).
Around Crabtree
Around Crabtree, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Leonardslee, among other places. The closest station to Crabtree is Horsham station, about 4.6 miles north-west. Nearby you’ll also find Horsham Hospital (4.9 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Knepp Wildland.
Other services in Crabtree
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a hamlet or village like Crabtree, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Before the survey
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Getting a price
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. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or email us when you’re ready.
Advice
Before and after the survey
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions.
Every so frequently, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Crabtree
Will you come out to Crabtree?
Yes, Crabtree is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Crabtree?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you go up on the roof?
Where it is safe, yes. We inspect from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft and from the roof itself where safe. The Premium Survey adds a drone inspection where it applies.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS home survey. It complements one rather than replacing it.
Is a roof survey worth having alongside a home survey?
It’s your choice, but the two do different jobs. A RICS home survey covers the whole building, and ours concentrates on the roof alone. Our survey complements a RICS survey and does not replace one.
Do you use drones?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
What we look for on each type of roof
Gutters and parapets
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a central valley gutter. If yours does, we check that gutter and where it drains.
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked, as far as we can see them safely.
Common roof problems in Crabtree
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. Felt flat roofs often last 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.
Typical things we’re asked to look at include:
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
With Tyes Place about 4.3 miles north-east, the area around Crabtree has a long history. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
What to check before booking
- What exactly goes into their report
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
What this survey can’t tell you
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Crabtree
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles