East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Heathfield, East Sussex
Not sure what state the roof is in? You can book a pre-purchase roof survey in Heathfield and across East Sussex.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Flashings that have lifted or split
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Heathfield
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a close look at it before you are committed. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, plus the loft where there is safe access. You get a written report with photographs. We survey the roof space, gutters and downpipes and clay and concrete tiles, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone.
In a smaller place like Heathfield, homes are mostly houses and bungalows, from older cottages to more recent builds. In older homes, the slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens and underlay holding them. For a purchase or a newly replaced roof, what’s under the coverings matters as much as what’s on top. Breathable membranes only appeared in the late 1990s, so older roofs often have bitumen felt or nothing at all.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Where
- Heathfield (TN21)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Parking around Heathfield is normally easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest.
- Once your offer is accepted, you let us know the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from ground level and from vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations before you exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Book a survey
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
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Towns and villages near Heathfield
Also in Heathfield
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Heathfield
If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it is listed or in a conservation area. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
Take an older house close to St Richards Church: the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Heathfield is about 7 miles north of Hailsham, in East Sussex. We cover Heathfield and the rest of East Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Heathfield is one of the towns and villages in East Sussex where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. Brighton is in our area too.
All of TN21 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Streets in the area include Upper Station Road, Station Road and High Street, and we cover them all. You’ll find Heathfield on the A265 and A267, which makes it simple to reach. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Sandy Cross (1 mile south), Old Heathfield (1 mile east), Cade Street (1 mile east), Maynard's Green (1 mile south) and Broad Oak (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (12 miles south), Hastings (15 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles south-east), Seaford (15 miles south-west), Lewes (12 miles south-west) and Hailsham (7 miles south).
Landmarks near Heathfield
In Heathfield, that means homes and buildings near Heathfield Community College and Runt-in-Tun pub, among other places. Well-known places in the area include Sussex Farm Museum (2.3 miles south) and Old Castle (4.5 miles east). Open spaces near Heathfield include Selwyns Wood.
Honest limits
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Heathfield
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Lead flashings and valleys
What we’re asked to look at in Heathfield
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and standing water, blisters and splits are typical signs of ageing. A buyer can easily miss them, especially when they’re only visible from an upper floor.
Look out for signs like these:
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Whatever the street in Heathfield, a roof costs least to look after when faults are caught early.
What to check before booking
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
Surveys for landlords and agents in Heathfield
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.
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.
Questions from Heathfield
Do you cover smaller places like Heathfield?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Is my home in Heathfield listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where applicable and safe. 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.
Do you need access inside the house?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access isn’t possible, we note it in the report.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. You might ask for work to be done, ask questions or ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller.
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. Our survey complements a RICS survey and does not replace one.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Roof area
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What to let us know when you contact us
We will typically ask about:
- When you need the report by
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Heathfield, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
Why act early in Heathfield
Small roof defects let water in slowly. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Finding the cause at the survey stage lets you deal with it as soon as you move in. With lower homes, common in places like Heathfield, there is little between a roof defect and the ceiling, so water can show inside quickly once it gets past the covering. Finding the cause first saves a second job inside.
Every price we give includes VAT. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your roof before you book.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Heathfield
- PI and public liability insurance
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- A report with photos
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
See our cost guide or two real surveys.