East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Eastbourne
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Eastbourne and the rest of East Sussex. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
FAQs for Eastbourne
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Eastbourne?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it typically shows.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Eastbourne?
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.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. 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.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That gives you time to use the findings.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
When conditions and the roof make it safe, yes. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft, and a drone is part of the Premium Survey where applicable.
When will the report arrive?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. We send it by email with photos included.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Eastbourne
A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building, and the roof is only one part of it. Our survey isn’t a RICS survey, and it does not replace one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photos and written recommendations you can act on. You can have both. We survey chimney stacks, clay and concrete tiles and the roof space, and common reasons people get in touch are patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem and chimney mortar that has eroded.
Eastbourne is big enough to have housing from every era, from older terraces and villas to post-war estates and recent developments. Older slate roofs, post-war concrete tiles and brand-new coverings each have their own typical faults. Whether you’re buying or have just paid for a new roof, knowing which you are dealing with shapes what gets checked.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Place
- Eastbourne (BN23, BN22, BN21, BN20)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Roof area
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Some details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you contact us, let us know:
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- What made you get in touch
To book a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before booking.
Towns and villages near Eastbourne
More services for Eastbourne
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Eastbourne. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run seven days a week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
What we do, step by step
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen. Most surveys take between one and two hours for most houses, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Town-centre streets in Eastbourne can mean pay-and-display or permit parking, so a word about where to park saves time. Inside, the loft and any room with a stain are the places we’ll want to see. Outside, we work round the building to find the safe viewpoints.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Booking a survey
When you are 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, weekday or weekend.
Read more
When you need someone else
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Whether timbers meet design loads
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. We check the pots, the flaunching, the pointing and the flashings, as far as we can see them safely.
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings close the gaps at chimneys, walls and abutments. We check whether they’ve lifted, split or been replaced with mortar or bitumen.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. By the time a stain shows, timber or plaster may already be damp. Finding the cause at the survey stage lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. A small defect on a roof in Eastbourne seldom stays small: one loose tile lets in water, which weakens the battens and loosens more. Dealing with it early is normally the cheaper route.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
What you get with us
- Package prices that include VAT
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- An independent look at the roof
Eastbourne homes and their roofs
Eastbourne lies within about 1 mile of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Corroded clips and nails and lifted ridge pieces are typical of exposed roofs near the sea, so exposed details get a close look whether you are buying or signing off new work. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. If your home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission, so the council is the place to ask.
If you own a rental within reach of Hampden Park station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. If you live in an older home near St Andrew, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Eastbourne is in East Sussex. Whether the building in Eastbourne is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Eastbourne is one of the places in East Sussex we cover. Brighton is in our area too.
We work across BN23, BN22, BN21 and BN20 for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Vine Square, Ashford Square and Howard Square or anywhere close by, we can survey it. You will find Eastbourne on the A22 and A259, so it is easy for us to get to. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Hampden Park (1 mile north-west), Upperton (1 mile south-west), Old Town (1 mile south-west), Ratton Village (2 miles west) and Meads (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Hastings (13 miles north-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (9 miles north-east), Seaford (8 miles west), Lewes (14 miles north-west), Hailsham (6 miles north) and St Leonards (13 miles east). Eastbourne is one of the larger places we cover in East Sussex.
What’s near Eastbourne
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Princes Park, Ratton School and The King's Arms Public House, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Hampden Park station, about 0.7 miles north-west. A little further out are Pevensey Castle (3 miles north-east) and Royal Sussex Regimental Museum (1 mile south-east). Open spaces near Eastbourne include Combe Hill.