West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in West Grinstead
Independent pre-purchase roof surveys in West Grinstead. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Old water stains in the loft space
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
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.
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
Pre-purchase roof survey in West Grinstead: what you get
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. 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. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. We survey natural slate, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and chimney stacks, and the problems we are asked to look at most are loose pots and cracked flaunching and old water stains in the roof space.
Somewhere as small as West Grinstead, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Whether you’re buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- West Grinstead (RH13)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Whether timbers meet design loads
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in West Grinstead
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
When to book a survey in West Grinstead
Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999. Cement roof sheets, soffits and flue pipes are typical places to find it. We do not carry out asbestos surveys, but we flag materials that might so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before anything is disturbed.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Shrine Church of Our Lady of Consolation and St Francis, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Before booking anyone
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
Useful tips for West Grinstead property owners
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
- Let us know your timetable
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.
Chimneys and flashings need watching. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. A pair of binoculars from the garden shows a lot.
West Grinstead homes and their roofs
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
Around West Grinstead, as everywhere, small roof faults are simplest to sort before they let water in.
West Grinstead is about 6 miles south of Horsham, in West Sussex. We provide pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in West Grinstead. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. There’s also a page for Crawley.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in RH13 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Steyning Road, Carylls Meadow and Clothalls Lane or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover Littleworth (1 mile south-east), Partridge Green (1 mile south-east), Dial Post (2 miles south-west), Shipley (2 miles west) and Whitehall (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns like Crawley (11 miles north-east), Horsham (6 miles north), Worthing (11 miles south), Haywards Heath (10 miles east), Burgess Hill (9 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).
Near you in West Grinstead
Open spaces near West Grinstead include Knepp Wildland.
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
On a slate roof, the underlay may be old bitumen felt, or there may be none at all on very old roofs. Where we can see it from the loft, we say what condition it’s in.
Flat roofs
Many homes have a flat roof somewhere, frequently over an extension. Felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We check how the covering is wearing.
Towns and villages near West Grinstead
What else we do in West Grinstead
FAQs for West Grinstead
How do I find out if my home in West Grinstead is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you cover smaller places like West Grinstead?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
What’s the best way to book?
It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Give us the address and some details about the roof, and we’ll take it from there. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
When will the report arrive?
The Premium Survey has a same-day report, Standard 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. Reports are emailed, with photos.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It doesn’t cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes between one and two hours at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. Somewhere like West Grinstead needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you’re buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- 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 we arrive
- Keep pets in another room
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Arrange a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.