West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Norton, West Sussex
Know where you stand with the roof before you decide what to do next. Pre-purchase roof surveys in Norton, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
Pre-purchase roof survey in Norton: what you get
The best time to book is once your offer has been accepted and before you exchange contracts. At that point you can still ask questions, because nothing is binding yet. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which helps when the chain is moving fast. The report comes within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. If you are worried about gutters that overflow or drip at the joints and sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes, we can find out what’s behind it, on natural slate, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and chimney stacks alike.
Somewhere as small as Norton, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Norton (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Worn or cracked lead lets water straight into the roof, and lead is also a target for theft.
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. We will say if the flue needs a specialist.
Nearby places to Norton
More services for Norton
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Norton?
Buildings put up or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos. Cement roof sheets, soffits and flue pipes are typical places to find it. We don’t test for it or carry out asbestos surveys, but our report flags materials that could contain it so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before anything is disturbed.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
Landlords with a home close to Barnham station may find that it’s worth knowing a roof’s condition before you buy it, or before you sign off new roofing work on it.
Questions to ask before booking
- Their track record with similar roofs
- How soon the report will arrive
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
What you can safely check yourself
It’s useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking, as it helps us focus the survey.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
What this survey cannot tell you
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Gutters and downpipes
- The roof space
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
Practical tips
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. Our suggestions:
- Mention any deadline when you contact us
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
Your report arrives by email, with photographs of what we found. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Each defect is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
After strong winds, look at the roof from the ground. Pieces of slate or tile in the garden mean something has moved. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.
Norton homes and their roofs
Norton lies within about 5 miles of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most.
Historic houses such as Goodwood House, about 2.9 miles north-west, show how far back building around Norton goes. 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 The Parish Church of St Mary, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Norton is about 4 miles north of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. Norton gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, large and small. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: PO20. Other places close to Norton include Crockerhill (1 mile north-west), East Hampnett (1 mile west), Nyton (1 mile south-east), Aldingbourne (1 mile south) and Westergate (1 mile south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Worthing (12 miles east), Bognor Regis (4 miles south), Chichester (4 miles west), Selsey (9 miles south-west), Littlehampton (7 miles east) and Emsworth (11 miles west).
Near you in Norton
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Winterton Arms Public House and Eastergate CofE Primary School. The nearest railway station is Barnham station, roughly 2.3 miles south-east of the centre. A little further out are St Richard's Hospital (3.9 miles west) and Tote Copse Castle (1.1 miles south).
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Around Norton, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it is safe.
- Once your offer has been accepted, you book and give us the address and your timescale.
- Access is arranged through you, the agent or the seller.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Before we arrive
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Keep pets in another room
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
How to book
When you are ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Advice
Norton questions
Is the coastal weather around Norton hard on roofs?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Norton is within about 5 miles of the coast.
Is my home in Norton listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, and you get a written report with photos. It doesn’t cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
Are you insured?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability.
How long does the survey visit take?
The visit typically takes about one to two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. We’ll give you an idea of timing as you book.
Do you need access inside the house?
Ideally, yes. We look in the loft space where there is safe access, and upstairs windows give useful views. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
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 freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.