West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in West Burton, West Sussex
Wondering about the roof at a property in West Burton? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in West Burton and across West Sussex.
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
How it works
We’ll ask a few questions first, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a hamlet or village like West Burton, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- Once your offer has been accepted, you book and give us the address and your timescale.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, inside and out.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
How to prepare
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Let us know about parking near the property
How to book
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in West Burton, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us give you an accurate price.
Advice
About our pre-purchase roof survey in West Burton
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. Slates slip when their nails corrode, lead valleys and flashings wear, and chimney pointing crumbles. Most of it can’t be seen from the street. We look closely and record what we see, with photographs that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. Typical surveys look at chimney mortar that has eroded and quick fixes on flashings and valleys, on gutters and downpipes, the roof space and clay and concrete tiles.
Some older homes in villages like West Burton are listed or sit in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it is worth knowing which applies. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Place
- West Burton (RH20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Tips that help
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Check we’ll be able to get into the loft space
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
With Standard, you get a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation. Whichever package you choose, you can ask us what a finding means.
Keep an eye on chimneys and flashings in your new home. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. Binoculars from the ground are enough for a first look.
Questions from West Burton
Do you cover smaller places like West Burton?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Is West Burton in the area you cover?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. You need the report before you exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We carry out surveys seven days a week. To find a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Why act early in West Burton
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Finding the cause at the survey stage means you know about it from day one. For an older or listed building in a place like West Burton, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, inc. VAT, and we can help you choose.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in West Burton
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
See what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Places near West Burton
Also in West Burton
Landlords, agents and block managers in West Burton
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Tell us about it when you book and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
When to book a survey in West Burton
Rear extensions, dormers and garages frequently have flat roofs. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and ponding, blisters and splits are common signs of age. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, particularly when they’re only visible from an upper floor.
Most people get in touch after spotting something like this:
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near The Parish Church of the Holy Cross, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Will the report include photos?
- Are they insured for the work?
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in West Burton
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. The wider area around West Burton has a long history of building, with Bignor Roman Villa about 0.8 miles north-west. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead.
If you let a flat or house near Amberley station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
West Burton is about 6 miles west of Storrington, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in West Burton and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and the South East. Our West Sussex coverage includes West Burton and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
We survey roofs across the RH20 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. Other places close to West Burton include Bury (1 mile south-east), Watersfield (1 mile north-east), Amberley (2 miles east), Coldwaltham (2 miles north-east) and Lower Horncroft (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (15 miles north-east), Worthing (10 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (10 miles south-west), Chichester (10 miles south-west), Littlehampton (8 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles east).
Landmarks near West Burton
We work in homes and buildings around Dorset House School and the streets around them. The closest station to West Burton is Amberley station, roughly 2.1 miles south-east. Nearby you will also find Arundel and District Hospital (4.4 miles south) and Amberley Castle (1.8 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Amberley Wild Brooks and Bignor Hill.