East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Sweethaws, East Sussex
Independent pre-purchase roof surveys in Sweethaws. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
Pre-purchase roof survey in Sweethaws
Tall, steep or hidden roofs are hard to judge from the street. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, plus a drone inspection where applicable, and the report arrives the same day. Where a flight isn’t possible, because of airspace rules or the weather, we tell you and look from ground level, windows and the loft instead. We survey gutters and downpipes, lead flashings and valleys and flat-roofed extensions and dormers, and people most frequently book us about bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney.
Some older homes in villages like Sweethaws are listed or sit in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. Whether you are buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand, as well as what condition the roof is in. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Where
- Sweethaws (TN6)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Local roofs and buyers in Sweethaws
In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. The covering on a house you’re buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it’s listed or in a conservation area. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area.
Landlords with a home close to Crowborough 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.
Sweethaws is about 2 miles south-west of Crowborough, in East Sussex. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Sweethaws for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. Sweethaws is one of the towns and villages in East Sussex we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Crawley.
All of TN6 is covered for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you are just outside Sweethaws, we cover High Hurstwood (1 mile south), Crowborough (2 miles north-east), Fairwarp (2 miles south-west), Jarvis Brook (2 miles north-east) and Marden's Hill (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Lewes (12 miles south-west), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Uckfield (5 miles south), South Malling (12 miles south-west), Heathfield (7 miles south-east) and Southover (13 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Sweethaws
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Crow & Gate inn and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Crowborough station, roughly 2.2 miles east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Tickerage Castle (4.6 miles south) and Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (1.3 miles north-east). For a walk, there’s Crowborough Country Park.
How it works
We do not take risks to get a closer look. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. The survey usually takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Somewhere like Sweethaws needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
Before the survey
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Getting a price
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
Common roof problems in Sweethaws
Gutter problems often look minor from the street. Overflowing water soaks walls and can rot the timber behind. Valley and parapet gutters can overflow inside the house. We check them as part of the survey.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
In and around Sweethaws, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- When you’ll get the report
- What insurance they carry
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
Why act early in Sweethaws
Even if you go ahead regardless, knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan. You’ll know which jobs are urgent and which can wait, and you can line up a roofer before small faults grow. Around Sweethaws, older homes often have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Every price we give includes VAT. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before booking.
What you get with us
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Prices that include VAT
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
What you can safely check yourself
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Also near Sweethaws
Also in Sweethaws
Useful tips for Sweethaws property owners
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Let us know your timetable
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Check we will be able to get into the loft space
- Ask when the roof was last worked on
If the report shows work is needed, you can raise it with the seller or agent. You might ask for the work to be done before completion, or ask to adjust the price. What happens next is your decision and the seller’s.
Every so frequently, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
For landlords and managing agents
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant, which helps with budgets and planning.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
FAQs for Sweethaws
Do you carry out roof surveys in Sweethaws?
Yes, Sweethaws is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Sweethaws as anywhere else.
Is Sweethaws within the area you cover?
Yes. Sweethaws is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
The sooner after your offer is accepted, the better. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, if the building owner or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
What if it rains on the day?
It can, depending on the survey. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions are not right, we will talk to you about another date.
Do you go up on the roof?
Only where it is safe. We also inspect from ground level, upper windows and the loft space.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it is not a RICS home survey. It works alongside a home survey.