West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Portfield
Wondering about the roof at a property in Portfield? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Portfield and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Old water stains in the loft space
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Check we will be able to get into the loft space
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
- Book once your offer is accepted
If you want quotes for the work, roofers can work from the report. They’ll see exactly what we found, and where, so each quote covers the same ground.
Every so often, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Photos help if you later need a roofer or another survey.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Portfield: what you get
Buyers in Portfield and right across London and the South East use our pre-purchase roof survey. Whether it’s a terrace, a semi, a detached house or a flat, the roof gets the same careful look. The report says what’s in good order, what isn’t and what to deal with first. We are insured for professional indemnity and public liability, with more than 20 years’ experience behind us. To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. If you’ve noticed blocked or leaking gutters and quick fixes on flashings and valleys, we can find out what’s behind it.
Smaller places like Portfield frequently have bungalows and cottages as well as houses, and many have been extended or had dormers added. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. The same goes for a purchase or a new roof around Portfield. Lead around a dormer and the edges of a flat roof are common places for snags and wear alike.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Where
- Portfield (PO19, PO20, PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
After exchange, any roof defect is yours to deal with. Before then, you can still ask questions, ask for work to be done or reconsider. A survey after you’ve moved in tells you the same things, but with far less room to act on them. With lower homes, common in places like Portfield, there’s little between a roof defect and the ceiling, so a small leak can mark a ceiling within a few storms. Finding the cause first saves a second job inside.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with VAT included. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Why book us in Portfield
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Every finding written up with photos
See our cost guide and our case studies.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Portfield
A chimney stack stands out in the wind and rain. Mortar erodes, the flaunching around the pots cracks and the flashings work loose. A stack may be shared with the neighbours, which matters if work is needed.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
If you let a flat or house near Chichester station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Before booking anyone
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What the survey will not cover
The survey, step by step
After the inspection, everything we found is written up in a report with photos, sent to you by email. On timing, most surveys take about 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a smaller place like Portfield, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part: the parts that need calm, dry weather are planned around it.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- 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 we arrive
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Getting a price
Getting a price is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us some details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
A leaning stack, cracked flaunching or crumbling pointing can all need work. We note them with photos so you can ask about them.
Lead flashings and valleys
Many leaks start at a flashing, so we check each one closely. We photograph any that need work.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Portfield: local notes
Portfield is within about 5 miles of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about.
Goodwood House lies about 2.5 miles north, so building around Portfield goes back a long way. If you’re buying an older home nearby, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing. The streets around a church like St George's are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Portfield is about 1 mile east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Portfield is one of many places we visit across West Sussex. Across West Sussex, we cover Portfield and the places around it. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
Surveys in PO19, PO20 and PO18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You will find streets such as Kent Road, York Road and Spur Road, all of which we cover. Being close to the A259 and A285, Portfield is simple for us to get to. If you’re just outside Portfield, we cover Chichester (1 mile west), Westhampnett (1 mile north-east), Shopwyke (1 mile east), Maudlin (1 mile north-east) and North Mundham (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (5 miles south-east), Selsey (7 miles south), Littlehampton (10 miles east), Emsworth (8 miles west), Rustington (11 miles east) and Storrington (15 miles north-east).
What’s near Portfield
In Portfield, that means homes and buildings near The Prebendal School, The East Gate Public House and Chichester High School For Girls, among other places. The closest station to Portfield is Chichester station, about 0.9 miles west of the centre. Nearby you will also find The Chichester City Museum (0.6 miles west) and Chichester Castle (0.6 miles west). Not far away are Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Stoke Down.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Portfield
When we price a survey, we consider:
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Roof area
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details. We will confirm the figure before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- When you need the report by
- Anything about access we should know
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
We survey roofs seven days a week. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Towns and villages near Portfield
More services for Portfield
Common questions in Portfield
How do I find out if my home in Portfield is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Are there drone restrictions around Portfield?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Portfield is about 2 miles from Goodwood Aerodrome, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do I need a roof survey if I’m having a RICS survey?
It’s your choice, but the two do different jobs. A RICS home survey covers the whole building, and ours concentrates on the roof alone. Our survey complements a RICS survey and doesn’t replace one.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
It typically takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do you need access inside the house?
Ideally, yes. The loft tells us a lot about the roof, and upstairs windows give useful views. The agent or seller can arrange entry.