West Sussex · London and the South East
Ferring Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Get a clear view of the roof at a property in Ferring from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
- Let us know your timetable
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
Your report arrives by email, with photographs of what we found. 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.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Ferring: what you get
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 doesn’t replace one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photos and written recommendations you can act on. The two sit side by side if you want the fullest picture. Typical surveys look at quick fixes on flashings and valleys and roof slopes that look uneven or sagging, on clay and concrete tiles, the roof space and lead flashings and valleys.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Ferring, and many have been extended or had dormers added. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. The same goes for a purchase or a new roof around Ferring. Snags and wear both tend to show at dormer lead work and along flat-roof edges.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Location
- Ferring (BN12)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Ferring
Also in Ferring
What a pre-purchase roof survey doesn’t cover
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- A structural engineer’s report
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
Ferring: your questions answered
Is my home in Ferring listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Ferring?
It can do. Ferring is within about 1 mile of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Do you work in Ferring?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, Ferring included.
Does someone need to be in?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
The visit normally takes between one and two hours for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Where it’s safe, yes. Much of the inspection is done from ground level, from windows and from the roof space. The Premium Survey adds a drone inspection where it applies.
Do I need a roof survey if I’m having a RICS survey?
It depends on the roof and how confident you want to be. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that’s where a roof survey helps. It doesn’t stand in for a RICS survey.
Ferring homes and their roofs
Ferring is within about 1 mile of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
If you own a rental within reach of Goring-By-Sea station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. Ecclesden Manor, about 1.6 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Ferring. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area. For an older house near a landmark such as St Andrew's Church, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
Ferring is about 2 miles south-west of Worthing, in West Sussex. Anywhere in Ferring, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, large and small. Brighton is in our area too.
Here we cover the BN12 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Local streets include Pebble Lane, Ferringham Lane and Grange Park. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Kingston Gorse (1 mile south-west), Hangleton (1 mile north-west), West Kingston (1 mile west), Goring-by-Sea (1 mile east) and Angmering-on-Sea (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (10 miles west), Chichester (15 miles west), Littlehampton (4 miles west), Shoreham-by-Sea (8 miles east), Lancing (6 miles east) and Rustington (3 miles west).
Near you in Ferring
Typical jobs here are in homes near Durrington Minature Railway and Chatsmore Catholic High School. Ferring’s nearest station is Goring-By-Sea station, about 0.9 miles north-east. Nearby you will also find Rustington Museum (2.4 miles west) and Old Castle (2.6 miles north-east). For a walk, there’s Highdown Hill.
How it works
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where applicable. Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for a house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. In a smaller place like Ferring, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from ground level, with the loft showing the underside, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where it applies.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
How to book
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us a few details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ferring
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Ferring
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Roof area
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Helping us price your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings and valleys
Many leaks start at a flashing, so they get close attention in a pre-purchase survey. We photograph any that need work.
Natural slate
Older slate roofs frequently 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.