West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Lyminster
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat for Lyminster and the rest of West Sussex. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time.
We survey roofs for landlords and letting agents as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Lyminster
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 proper look at it before you are committed. We check the coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and the loft space where it is safe to get in. The findings come in a written report with photos. Common reasons to book are roof slopes that look uneven or sagging and ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof, across clay and concrete tiles, lead flashings and valleys and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
Older buildings in small places like Lyminster may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it’s worth knowing which applies, as well as what condition the roof is in. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Location
- Lyminster (BN17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Older rural homes like those around Lyminster can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Before we arrive
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Keep pets in another room
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Book a survey
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.
Advice
Common questions in Lyminster
How do I find out if my home in Lyminster is listed?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Lyminster?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there’s more wind, and more salt in the air. Exposed details like ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
When will the report arrive?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed with photos included.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. 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.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. Buyers use the findings to ask questions, ask for repairs before completion or ask for a price change. The outcome is between you and the seller, so we cannot promise any saving.
Do you need to go inside the property?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we can’t get in, the report says so.
Honest limits
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll point you to the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Lyminster
Lyminster is within about 2 miles of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Historic houses like Ecclesden Manor, about 3.3 miles east, show how far back building in the area around Lyminster goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalen: the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
Lyminster is about 1 mile north-west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Whether the building in Lyminster is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. There is also a page for Brighton.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: BN17. We cover properties on Arundel Drive, Old Mead Road and Lyminster Road. We also cover the places around Lyminster: Wick (1 mile south), Toddington (1 mile south-east), Crossbush (1 mile north-east), Tortington (1 mile west) and Littlehampton (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (6 miles east), Bognor Regis (7 miles south-west), Chichester (10 miles west), Selsey (12 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles east) and Lancing (10 miles east).
Around Lyminster
In Lyminster, that means homes and buildings near The 6 Bells Public House, The Littlehampton Academy and Littlehampton College and the streets around them. The closest station to Lyminster is Arundel station, about 1.3 miles north of the centre. A little further out are Arundel and District Hospital (1.9 miles north-west) and Rustington Museum (2.3 miles south-east). Not far away are Highdown Hill and WWT Arundel.
Also near Lyminster
More services for Lyminster
What happens if roof problems are left?
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 means you know about it from day one. For older village homes like those around Lyminster, the right replacement materials aren’t always easy to find quickly. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
Why us?
- An independent look at the roof
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Prices that include VAT
- Over 20 years’ experience
See our cost guide or our case studies.
What we are asked to look at in Lyminster
Most viewings never get near the roof. You see the rooms, not the slates. New paint on a ceiling can hide old water stains, which is why buyers book a closer look before committing.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
Landlords with a home close to Arundel station may find that a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What insurance they carry
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Is VAT included in the price?
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- House, block, shop or office
- Roof area
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What we need to know
A little information up front helps. It is useful to include:
- When you need the report by
- The address and postcode of the property
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- What made you get in touch
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.