West Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in West Wittering
We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in West Wittering and the rest of West Sussex. We survey seven days a week.
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in West Wittering
West Wittering lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. If your home is older, it’s worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
If you let a flat or house near Nutbourne station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
West Wittering is about 6 miles north-west of Selsey, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in West Wittering, the roof can be surveyed. Our West Sussex coverage includes West Wittering. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
All of PO20 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys. We cover properties on Royce Way, Elmstead Gardens and Locksash Close. If you’re just outside West Wittering, we cover East Wittering (2 miles south-east), Shipton Green (2 miles north-east), Somerley (2 miles east), Earnley (2 miles east) and Birdham (3 miles east). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (9 miles east), Chichester (6 miles north-east), Selsey (6 miles south-east), Emsworth (5 miles north), Portfield (7 miles north-east) and Yapton (13 miles east).
Around West Wittering
Around West Wittering, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Wittering pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Nutbourne station, about 4.6 miles north of the centre. For a walk, there’s Pilsey Island.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in West Wittering
A roof report gives you something solid to take back to the seller or the agent. You might ask about past repairs, ask for work to be done before completion or think again about your offer. What the seller agrees to is up to them, but you will be asking from facts rather than guesses. It can also help you decide whether the purchase is still right for you. If you are worried about loose pots and cracked flaunching and blocked or leaking gutters, we can find out what’s behind it.
Somewhere as small as West Wittering, 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. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
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.
- Where
- West Wittering (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to West Wittering
Other services in West Wittering
How the survey works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes an hour or two for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Cottages and farmhouses around West Wittering often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- You choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey to suit the home you are buying.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Preparing for the visit
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Book a survey
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form to find out.
Advice
What a pre-purchase roof survey does not cover
It’s a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. Its limits include:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. 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. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, and the report can go to both. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
West Wittering: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in West Wittering is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you cover smaller places like West Wittering?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Will you climb onto the roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. Much of the inspection is done from ground level, from windows and from the loft space. The Premium Survey adds a drone inspection where it applies.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys, across London and South East England.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where possible, yes. We look in the roof space where there is safe access, and views from upper windows help too. Access is normally arranged through the agent or seller.
Are you insured?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
What affects the price in West Wittering
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Height and safe access
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- How big the roof is
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
What to let us know when you get in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- When you need the report by
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
To get a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in West Wittering, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
What we look for on each type of roof
Gutters and parapets
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a central valley gutter. If yours does, we check that gutter and where it drains.
Natural slate
Good slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings, yet the nails that fix it frequently give out first. When slates start to slip, corroded nails are frequently the reason.