East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Lower Willingdon
We take a careful look at the roof at your property in Lower Willingdon, with photographs and a written report.
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Lower Willingdon
A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building, so the roof is one item among many. We do not offer a RICS home survey, and ours is not a substitute for 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. If you’ve noticed sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes and chimney mortar that has eroded, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Lower Willingdon, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Low roofs are easier to see from the ground, but dormer cheeks, valleys and flat-roofed additions still need close attention. That applies whether you’re buying in Lower Willingdon or checking a new roof there. Snags and wear both tend to show at dormer lead work and along flat-roof edges.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Where
- Lower Willingdon (BN20, BN22, BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Lower Willingdon: local notes
Lower Willingdon lies within about 4 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, so exposed details get a careful look whether you’re buying or signing off new work. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. The covering on a house you are buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest.
For landlords with property near Polegate station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full. For an older house near a landmark such as St Wilfrid, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light. Historic houses such as Alfriston Clergy House, about 4 miles west, show how far back building around Lower Willingdon goes. If you are buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Lower Willingdon is about 2 miles north-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. In Lower Willingdon, as across East Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Across East Sussex, we cover Lower Willingdon and the places around it. There is also a page for Brighton.
We survey roofs across the BN20, BN22 and BN26 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Freshwater Square, Willingdon Court and The Triangle or a nearby road, we can help. Close by, we survey roofs in Willingdon (1 mile south-east), Wannock (1 mile north-west), Polegate (1 mile north), Filching (1 mile west) and Folkington (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Hastings (14 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles east), Seaford (7 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (4 miles north) and St Leonards (14 miles east).
What’s near Lower Willingdon
We work in homes and buildings around The Wheatsheaf Inn and Willingdon Community School, among other places. The closest station to Lower Willingdon is Polegate station, about 0.9 miles north. Well-known places in the area include Burlough Castle (3.5 miles west) and Filching Manor And Motor Museum (1.2 miles west). The countryside around Lower Willingdon includes Combe Hill.
The survey, 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 be seen safely, from ground level, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where it applies. The survey typically takes between one and two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. A visit to a smaller place like Lower Willingdon is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
How to prepare
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Arrange a survey
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us a few details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Read more
What a survey costs
Survey packages start from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- The roof’s overall size
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
Prices start from £150, including VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both including VAT. You will know the price for the job before booking.
What we need to know
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It helps to include:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- The address and postcode of the property
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- When you need the report by
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To get started, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Lower Willingdon
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Natural slate
Why it’s worth a survey now in Lower Willingdon
Without a survey, you are relying on a glance from the pavement. That won’t show slipped slates on the rear slope, a worn valley or cracked flaunching. We fill that gap before you’re tied in, with photos of anything that needs attention. Homes in smaller places like Lower Willingdon can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Wind gets under it and lifts more.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
Why book with us
- Plain-English reports with photos
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
Also near Lower Willingdon
What else we do in Lower Willingdon
Surveys for landlords and agents in Lower Willingdon
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Tips from our surveys
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Request records of any re-roofing
If you want quotes for the work, roofers can work from the report. The photos show the defects and where they are, which makes quotes easier to compare.
After you move in, have leaves and moss cleared from gutters and valleys, ideally once the leaves have dropped. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
FAQs for Lower Willingdon
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Lower Willingdon?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it normally shows.
Is my home in Lower Willingdon listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We survey the roof, not the whole building, and it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It works alongside a home survey.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Lower Willingdon?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what you’d like to know. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with the freeholder or managing agent. Tell us about it as you book and we’ll explain what’s needed.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We carry out surveys on any day of the week. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.