East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in High Cross, East Sussex
Pre-purchase roof surveys in High Cross, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photos.
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in High Cross
Our packages start with the Basic Survey from £150, while Standard starts from £250 and Premium from £400, inc. VAT. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium goes further, with thermal imaging, a drone where applicable and a same-day report. Pick the one that fits the property. All three include a written report with photos and recommendations. If you’re worried about slipped or missing slates and tiles and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on natural slate, gutters and downpipes and the roof space alike.
In a village or hamlet like High Cross, homes are often 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, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
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.
- Location
- High Cross (TN6)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Let us know your timetable
It is worth sharing the report with your solicitor so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions, especially where we have found patch repairs.
Keep the loft ventilated. Condensation in a roof space can look like a leak and can damage timbers over time. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
Common roof problems in High Cross
The fixings and underlay frequently fail before good slates or tiles do. Good slate can last well over a century, but corroded nails let slates slip. It is a frequent finding on older houses.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
Landlords with a home close to Crowborough station may find that a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Before booking anyone
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Their insurance cover
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. After that, we check everything we can see safely. The survey usually takes between one and two hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In a hamlet or village like High Cross, 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.
- 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.
Before the survey
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Booking a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine. To get started, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, and the report can go to both. Access is agreed with the tenant beforehand.
High Cross homes and their roofs
Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The wider area around High Cross has a long history of building, with Wadhurst Castle about 4.9 miles east. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For an older house near a landmark such as The Parish Church of St Denys, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
High Cross is about 3 miles east of Crowborough, in East Sussex. We provide pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in High Cross and the surrounding area. Our East Sussex coverage includes High Cross. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: TN6. With the B2101 close by, High Cross is easy for us to reach for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you are just outside High Cross, we cover Argos Hill (1 mile east), Rotherfield (1 mile north-west), Town Row (1 mile north), Woolbridge (1 mile south) and Wellbrook (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Lewes (15 miles south-west), Hailsham (12 miles south), Crowborough (3 miles west), Uckfield (7 miles south-west), Polegate (15 miles south) and South Malling (14 miles south-west).
Near you in High Cross
In High Cross, that means homes and buildings near The King's Arms Public House. High Cross’s nearest station is Crowborough station, about 1.8 miles west. Nearby you’ll also find Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (3.1 miles west). The countryside around High Cross includes Crowborough Country Park.
Questions from High Cross
Is my home in High Cross listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Will you come out to High Cross?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
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.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Towns and villages near High Cross
Also in High Cross
What happens if roof problems are left?
It’s tempting to skip the roof to keep a sale moving. Weekend visits are available as well as weekdays, and the Premium Survey report arrives the same day, so it can fit around a tight timetable. In a place like High Cross, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book with us
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- PI and public liability insurance
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
Take a look at our cost guide and two real surveys.