West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Small Dole, West Sussex
A roof survey before you buy a house or flat in Small Dole. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Old water stains in the loft space
Pre-purchase roof survey in Small Dole: what you get
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Most of it can’t be seen from the street. We look closely and record what we see, with photos that show you exactly where. Each finding is explained in plain words, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. We survey gutters and downpipes, natural slate and flat-roofed extensions and dormers, and people most often book us about loose pots and cracked flaunching and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney.
For a small place like Small Dole, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them as you book. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Small Dole (BN5)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
You do not need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will take it from there. A typical survey takes between one and two hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Older roofs in small places like Small Dole can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Book a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
Leave it or get it looked at?
Leaving it means judging the roof from the street. That rarely shows the back slope, the valleys or the top of the chimney. We fill that gap before you’re tied in, with photos of anything that needs attention. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Small Dole, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
For a price for your roof in Small Dole, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Small Dole
- A photo-illustrated written report
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- Surveys seven days a week
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
Places near Small Dole
Also in Small Dole
Tips from our surveys
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. They’ll see exactly what we found, and where, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Every so often, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Watch for stains, damp timbers and chinks of daylight. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Small Dole?
Most viewings never get near the roof. You walk round the rooms, but the roof stays out of sight, and a quick glance from the street misses a lot. New paint on a ceiling can hide old water stains, which is why buyers book a closer look before committing.
We are frequently asked to look at:
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
With Portslade Manor about 4.8 miles south-east, the area around Small Dole has a long history. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- What insurance they carry
- What experience they bring
Buying a home or a new roof in Small Dole
Small Dole lies within about 5 miles of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
For landlords with property near Shoreham-By-Sea station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Small Dole is about 5 miles north of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Small Dole can all book pre-purchase roof surveys. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton.
Every address in BN5 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Whether your property is on Downsview, Tottington Drive and Orchard Close or a nearby road, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Woodmancote (2 miles north-east), Henfield (2 miles north), Blackstone (2 miles north-east), Albourne (3 miles north-east) and High Cross (3 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Crawley (15 miles north), Horsham (11 miles north), Worthing (8 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (10 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (7 miles north-east) and Littlehampton (13 miles south-west).
Around Small Dole
Typical jobs here are in homes near Tottington Wood. The closest station to Small Dole is Shoreham-By-Sea station, about 4.8 miles south. A little further out are Southlands Hospital (4.4 miles south) and Steyning Museum (2.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Woods Mill and Truleigh Hill.
What affects the price in Small Dole
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- How big the roof is
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
Booking your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- What made you get in touch
When you are ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or email us. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Small Dole
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Small Dole?
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.
Will you come out to Small Dole?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, with a written report and photos. It is not a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
How experienced are you?
We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
When will the report arrive?
It depends on the package: within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Let us know your timetable when you book.