West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in South Ambersham, West Sussex
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in South Ambersham, with photos and a clear written report.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
Local roofs and buyers in South Ambersham
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
Take an older house close to Church of St James: the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
South Ambersham is about 10 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Whether the building in South Ambersham is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. South Ambersham is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. There’s also a page for Guildford.
We survey roofs across the GU29 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. Other places close to South Ambersham include Selham (1 mile east), Graffham (2 miles south), River (2 miles north-east), Upperton (3 miles north-east) and Tillington (3 miles east). We also work in nearby towns like Bognor Regis (13 miles south), Chichester (10 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Emsworth (14 miles south-west), Rustington (14 miles south-east) and Storrington (11 miles east).
Landmarks near South Ambersham
Well-known places in the area include Midhurst Community Hospital (2 miles north-west) and Lodsworth Castle (1.1 miles east). Not far away are Graffham Common and Levin Down.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in South Ambersham
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 close look at it before you are committed. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, and the loft space where it is safe to get in. The findings come in a written report with photos. We survey chimney stacks, gutters and downpipes and natural slate, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are standing water on a flat extension roof and flashings that have lifted or split.
Older buildings in small places like South Ambersham may be listed or in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. 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.
With the Standard Survey, you also get 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.
- Location
- South Ambersham (GU29)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near South Ambersham
More services for South Ambersham
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in South Ambersham
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Which survey package you book
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
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.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- The address and postcode of the property
- When you need the report by
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in South Ambersham
Buildings put up or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos. Cement roof sheets, soffits and flue pipes are typical places to find it. We do not test for it or carry out asbestos surveys, but we flag materials that might and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before work starts.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
Historic houses such as Cowdray House, about 1.7 miles north-west, show how far back building around South Ambersham goes. Older homes in the area can come with listed status or conservation area rules, which affect re-roofing, so check with the council before you buy.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- How soon the report will arrive
- What insurance they carry
- Will the report include photos?
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
Practical tips
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Request records of any re-roofing
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. It can prompt questions about past roof work and any paperwork for it, particularly where we have found patch repairs.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
South Ambersham: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in South Ambersham?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Is South Ambersham within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We survey the roof, not the whole building, and it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It works alongside a home survey.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We check the parts we are given access to.
Do you use drones?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
How soon is the report ready?
That depends on which survey you choose: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Tell us your exchange date and we will help you choose.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
What this survey can’t tell you
A survey is a proper look at the roof, but it cannot do everything. Its limits include:
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- A structural engineer’s report
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
DIY checks: what’s safe
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
What happens on the day
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Around South Ambersham, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it is useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it’s safe.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from ground level and from vantage points.
- Inside, we check the roof space and look at the roof from windows.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
How to prepare
- Tell us about parking before the day
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Getting a price
For a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in South Ambersham, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us give you an accurate price.