West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Washington, West Sussex
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Washington and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Old water stains in the roof space
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Washington
Buying a flat brings its own roof questions. The lease decides who looks after the roof, and that is frequently not the individual flat owner. 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. If the building has a flat roof, we check that too where access allows. If you’re worried about quick fixes on flashings and valleys and standing water on a flat extension roof, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Somewhere as small as Washington, 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 are 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.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Place
- Washington (RH20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Washington homes and their roofs
If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are. Parham House, about 3.9 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Washington. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Washington is about 6 miles north of Worthing, in West Sussex. If you are in Washington, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Washington is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. Brighton is in our area too.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in RH20 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include London Road, The Street and Chanctonbury Close, all of which we cover. If you’re just outside Washington, we cover Rock (1 mile north), Sullington (1 mile west), Heath Common (2 miles north-west), Storrington (2 miles north-west) and Warminghurst (2 miles north). We also work in nearby towns like Horsham (12 miles north), Worthing (6 miles south), Bognor Regis (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (15 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (13 miles east) and Littlehampton (8 miles south-west).
Near you in Washington
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Rydon Community College, Windlesham House School and The Frankland Arms Public House, among other places. Other landmarks nearby include The Storrington And District Museum (2 miles north-west). The countryside around Washington includes Chanctonbury Hill.
Places near Washington
Other services in Washington
What we can’t see
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
Roof by roof
Natural slate
Good slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings, yet the nails that fix it often give out first. Slipped or missing slates are a sign of ‘nail fatigue’, and we note how widespread it looks.
Flat roofs
A flat roof that has been coated over several times may hide problems underneath. We record what we can see and say where a closer look is needed.
What we do, step by step
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect about one to two hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a hamlet or village like Washington, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- 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.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
Arrange a survey
When you are ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Related advice
Landlords, agents and block managers in Washington
Landlords, agents and building managers in Washington and across West Sussex can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Useful tips for Washington property owners
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
- Mention any deadline when you contact us
- Ask when the roof was last worked on
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, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have dropped. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Washington
Is my home in Washington listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Washington in the area you cover?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Washington is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you when booking.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We are 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.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach.
How quickly will I get the report?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed, with photos.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
The visit normally takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We’ll give you an idea of timing as you book.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.