East Sussex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Westdean
Wondering about the roof at a property in Westdean? You can book a pre-purchase roof survey in Westdean and across East Sussex.
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Westdean
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a proper look at it before you are committed. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, and the roof space where it is safe to get in. You get a photo-illustrated written report. We survey natural slate, clay and concrete tiles and lead flashings and valleys, and common reasons people get in touch are gutters choked with leaves and moss and flashings that have lifted or split.
For a small place like Westdean, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed in advance. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when you book, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Westdean (BN25)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Natural slate
Older slate roofs often have bitumen felt under them, and very old ones may have none. Where we can see it from the loft, we say what condition it is in.
Flat roofs
Ponding, blistering, splits and worn upstands are the usual warning signs. We look at outlets too, since a blocked one leaves water sitting on the roof.
Places near Westdean
What else we do in Westdean
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Westdean
Patch repairs are common on roofs of every age. Bitumen painted over a flashing, mortar where lead should be, or a few tiles that do not match can be signs that something has leaked before. We note what we see so you can ask about it.
Typical things we’re asked to look at include:
- Old water stains in the loft space
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
If you own a rental within reach of Seaford station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- What exactly goes into their report
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
What a pre-purchase roof survey does not cover
Before you book, it is worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will point you to the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes
The survey, step by step
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from ground level, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. Most surveys take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Older roofs in small places like Westdean can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- After your offer is agreed, you book and share your timetable.
- Access to the house and the loft space is agreed in advance.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it’s safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Arrange a survey
We confirm the price for the job before you book, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
Checking the roof from ground level
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Questions from Westdean
How do I find out if my home in Westdean is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is Westdean within the area you cover?
Yes, Westdean is covered. We survey roofs across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a dedicated roof survey, and you get a written report with photos. It isn’t a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
How quickly will I get the report?
That depends on which survey you choose: Basic within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Let us know your timetable when booking.
Are you insured?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Will the roof report help me negotiate with the seller?
Yes, you can. The report sets out what we found, with photos, which you can share with the seller or agent. How the seller responds is up to them.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Tell us which days suit you when booking.
Tips that help
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions.
Check the roof from the garden and the street after a storm. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Small repairs done quickly stop bigger problems later.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Westdean: local notes
Westdean is within about 2 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about.
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of All Saints, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming. Alfriston Clergy House lies about 2 miles north, so building around Westdean goes back a long way. If you are buying an older home nearby, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before you plan any re-roofing.
Westdean is about 2 miles east of Seaford, in East Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Westdean can all book pre-purchase roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Across East Sussex, we cover Westdean. There is also a page for Brighton.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: BN25. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Litlington (1 mile north), Dukes Green (2 miles north), Lullington (2 miles north), Alfriston (2 miles north) and Seaford (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (6 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Lewes (10 miles north-west), Hailsham (7 miles north-east), Uckfield (13 miles north) and Newhaven (5 miles west).
Local landmarks in Westdean
Typical jobs here are in homes near Cuckmere Inn, Seaford Head Nature Reserve and Seaford Head School. The nearest railway station is Seaford station, about 2.6 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (3.9 miles west) and Old Forge Museum (Alfriston) (2.2 miles north). Open spaces near Westdean include Combe Hill.