West Sussex · London and the South East
Shopwyke Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Shopwyke from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
Pre-purchase roof survey in Shopwyke: what you get
If you’re buying a flat, the roof may well be shared. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company, with costs frequently passed on through the service charge. We check as much of the roof as access safely allows, and the report helps you ask your solicitor or the managing agent the right questions. Where the building has a flat roof, it’s checked as far as access allows. We survey chimney stacks, gutters and downpipes and lead flashings and valleys, and people most often book us about bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and a ridge or slope that dips.
Somewhere as small as Shopwyke, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings frequently sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Whether you’re 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. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Place
- Shopwyke (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Shopwyke questions
Do you cover smaller places like Shopwyke?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Are there drone restrictions around Shopwyke?
Usually it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Goodwood Aerodrome is about 2 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and the rest of the survey doesn’t depend on the drone.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We will rearrange with you if the weather is not right.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
How do I book a survey in Shopwyke?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Shopwyke homes and their roofs
Shopwyke is within about 5 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Historic houses such as Goodwood House, about 2.1 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Shopwyke goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
For landlords with property near Chichester station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Shopwyke is about 2 miles east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Surveys in Shopwyke work the same way as everywhere we cover: a close look at what can safely be seen, photographs and a clear written report. Our West Sussex coverage includes Shopwyke. Portsmouth is in our area too.
We survey roofs across the PO20 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on Coach Road and Drayton Lane. We also cover the places around Shopwyke: Maudlin (1 mile north), Westhampnett (1 mile north-west), Oving (1 mile east), Portfield (1 mile west) and Strettington (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (4 miles south-east), Selsey (8 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east), Emsworth (9 miles west) and Rustington (10 miles east).
Near you in Shopwyke
Around Shopwyke, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Coach And Horses Public House, The March CofE Primary School and Chichester High School For Girls, among other places. Shopwyke’s nearest station is Chichester station, roughly 1.9 miles west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Chichester Castle (1.5 miles west) and St Richard's Hospital (1.3 miles west). For a walk, there is Stoke Down.
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Findings are set out in plain English, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Avoid packing insulation into the eaves so tightly that air cannot flow.
Why it is worth a survey now in Shopwyke
A seller may honestly not know the state of the roof. Their answers on the property forms only cover what they know about. Our survey shows you the roof as it is today, whatever anyone remembers. For older village homes like those around Shopwyke, the right replacement materials are not always easy to find quickly. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, including VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book us in Shopwyke
- Prices that include VAT
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- 98% of customers satisfied
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
See what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead-lined valleys and gutters are common on older homes in London and South East England. Splits in a lead valley send water inside, and lead is also a target for theft.
Flat roofs
Repeated coatings on a flat roof can mask what’s underneath. We record what we can see and say where a closer look is needed.
What you can safely check yourself
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: 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.
The survey, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. In a small place like Shopwyke, access is usually the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Find any records of previous roof work
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.