Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Whitehawk Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Whitehawk, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
Pre-purchase roof survey in Whitehawk
Some roofs can’t be seen well from ground level or from windows. Our Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and, where applicable, a drone inspection, along with a same-day report. Where a flight is not possible, because of airspace rules or the weather, we tell you and look from the ground, windows and the loft instead. We survey the roof space, gutters and downpipes and chimney stacks, and the problems we are asked to look at most are signs of past leaks inside the loft and worn or lifted lead flashings.
In a smaller place like Whitehawk, homes are mostly houses and bungalows, from older cottages to more recent builds. Older roofs may still have their original slates or clay tiles, with fixings and underlay that have done a long stint. Whether you are buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Breathable membranes only appeared in the late 1990s, so older roofs often have bitumen felt or nothing at all.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Place
- Whitehawk (BN2)
- Region
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
Different roofs, different checks
Gutters and parapets
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a central valley gutter. If the home you are buying has one, that gutter and its outlet get a careful look.
Flat roofs
A flat roof that has been coated over several times may hide problems underneath. We say when the covering would need opening up to know more.
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Whitehawk
Whitehawk is within about 1 mile of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
For landlords with property near Brighton station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. Take an older house close to St Cuthman's: ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs often have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges. Royal Pavilion lies about 1.4 miles west, so building around Whitehawk goes back a long way. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Whitehawk is about 1 mile south-east of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. Bookings from Whitehawk are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Across Brighton and Hove, we cover Whitehawk.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: BN2. Whether your property is on Peel Road, Manor Road and Craven Road or a nearby road, we can help. Other places close to Whitehawk include Kemptown (1 mile south-west), Hanover (1 mile west), Carlton Hill (1 mile west), Bevendean (1 mile north) and Brighton (1 mile north-west). Further out, we also cover Brighton and Hove (4 miles west), Hove (3 miles west), Aldrington (4 miles west), Withdean (3 miles north-west), Hangleton (5 miles north-west) and Patcham (3 miles north-west).
Near you in Whitehawk
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to St Mary's Hall, Whitehawk Hill and Longhill High School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Brighton station, roughly 1.6 miles west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Brighton Motor Museum (0.7 miles south-west) and Royal Sussex County Hospital (0.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Let us know your exchange date as you book
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Watch for stains or fresh paint on ceilings below the roof
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so questions can go to the seller’s solicitor. It can prompt questions about past roof work and any paperwork for it, especially where we’ve found patch repairs.
Look in the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Watch for stains, damp timbers and chinks of daylight. Take photos so you can show whoever looks at it.
How it works
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the roof space is checked as well as the outside. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. The whole visit usually takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Homes around Whitehawk often have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. The loft, where there is safe access, completes the picture.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Find any records of previous roof work
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The roof’s overall size
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can safely be seen and which survey you book.
What to let us know when you contact us
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It is useful to include:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
For a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Whitehawk, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
What this survey can’t tell you
Before you book, it is worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- How a seller will respond, or what the house is worth
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Asbestos testing of any kind
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
Whitehawk: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Whitehawk?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Will you come out to Whitehawk?
Yes, Whitehawk is covered. We survey roofs across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is typically fine; heavy rain and wind are different. Strong wind or a downpour can make access unsafe and ground a drone, so we’d move the date with you.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We carry out surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To arrange a date, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we are looking inside or in the loft. We will talk about access as you book.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and it’s safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
How long will you be at the property?
It normally takes an hour or two at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Report times depend on the package, from the same day for Premium to within 48 hours for Basic.