West Sussex · London and the South East
West Thorney Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in West Thorney and across West Sussex.
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in West Thorney
Buying a home is a big commitment, and the roof is one of the costliest parts to put right. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you are tied in. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, plus the loft where there’s safe access. The findings come in a written report with photos. We survey clay and concrete tiles, chimney stacks and gutters and downpipes, and people most frequently book us about cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing and ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof.
Somewhere as small as West Thorney, 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. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- West Thorney (PO10)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in West Thorney
Slates and tiles can outlast the nails, battens and underlay that hold them. Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but corroded nails let slates slip. That kind of wear is common on older roofs.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
If you let a flat or house near Southbourne station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether you get a written report with photos
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The roof’s overall size
- House, block, shop or office
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What we need to know
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us and give us a few details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in West Thorney
West Thorney lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Corroded clips and nails and lifted ridge pieces are typical of exposed roofs near the sea, so exposed details get a careful look whether you are buying or signing off new work. In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
With Warblington Castle about 3.1 miles north-west, the area around West Thorney has a long history. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later. For an older house near a landmark like The Parish Church of St Nicholas, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs frequently have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
West Thorney is about 5 miles south-east of Havant, in West Sussex. Anywhere in West Thorney, we can come and survey your property. West Thorney is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
We work across PO10 for pre-purchase roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Thorney Island (1 mile north-west), Tye (2 miles west), Southbourne (2 miles north), North Hayling (2 miles west) and Northney (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (10 miles east), Chichester (6 miles east), Selsey (8 miles south-east), Emsworth (3 miles north-west), Portfield (7 miles east) and Yapton (13 miles east).
Local landmarks in West Thorney
We work in homes and buildings around Eames Farm and Bourne Community College, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Southbourne station, roughly 2.2 miles north. Other landmarks nearby include Emsworth Museum (2.5 miles north-west) and Warblington Castle (3.1 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Nutborne Marshes.
Nearby places to West Thorney
What else we do in West Thorney
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We check whether they’ve lifted, split or been replaced with mortar or bitumen.
Gutters and parapets
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a central valley gutter. If the home you’re buying has one, that gutter and its outlet get a careful look.
FAQs for West Thorney
Does a conservation area affect roof work in West Thorney?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around West Thorney, take more of a battering?
It can do. West Thorney is within about 1 mile of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It isn’t a RICS survey and does not cover the rest of the house.
Do you go up on the roof?
Where it is safe, yes. Much of the inspection is done from the ground, from windows and from the roof space. On Premium, a drone is used where it applies.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
It’s your choice, but the two do different jobs. A RICS home survey covers the whole building, while ours looks only at the roof, in more detail. Our survey complements a RICS survey and doesn’t replace one.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
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 we do, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect what can safely be seen, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Cottages and farmhouses around West Thorney often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Getting a price
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Advice
Useful tips for West Thorney property owners
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
- Check we will be able to get into the loft space
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
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.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Avoid packing insulation into the eaves so tightly that air can’t flow.
For landlords and managing agents
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed beforehand. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.