East Sussex · London and the South East
Willingdon Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Wondering about the roof at a property in Willingdon? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Willingdon and across East Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
Willingdon questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Willingdon?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is the coastal weather around Willingdon hard on roofs?
It can do. Within about 3 miles of the sea, as Willingdon is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
Do you need access inside the house?
Where we can, yes. From the loft space we can see staining, timbers and underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
What insurance do you have?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
How do I book a survey in Willingdon?
To book, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That gives you time to use the findings.
Do you work in Willingdon?
Yes, we do. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Willingdon, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Willingdon: what you get
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. Slates slip when their nails corrode, lead valleys and flashings wear, and chimney pointing crumbles. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. We survey gutters and downpipes, flat-roofed extensions and dormers and lead flashings and valleys, and people most frequently book us about bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and old water stains in the roof space.
For a small place like Willingdon, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them as you book. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Location
- Willingdon (BN22, BN20)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
After exchange, any roof defect is yours to deal with. Before then, you can still ask questions, ask for work to be done or reconsider. Finding out later gives you the same facts, but too late to use them in the purchase. For an older or listed building in a place like Willingdon, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Why book with us
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
Read how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
The survey, step by step
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes an hour or two at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a small place like Willingdon, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Book a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Read more
Local roofs and buyers in Willingdon
Willingdon lies within about 3 miles of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. About 4.2 miles west lies Alfriston Clergy House, a reminder of how long the area around Willingdon has been built on. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
For landlords with property near Hampden Park station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Willingdon is about 2 miles north-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. We survey roofs in Willingdon and the rest of East Sussex. Across East Sussex, we cover Willingdon. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in BN22 and BN20 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include Downs Road, Eastbourne Road and Summerlands Road, and we cover them all. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Lower Willingdon (1 mile north-west), Wannock (1 mile north-west), Filching (1 mile west), Polegate (1 mile north) and Folkington (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Hastings (14 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles east), Seaford (7 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (4 miles north) and St Leonards (14 miles east).
Local landmarks in Willingdon
In Willingdon, that means homes and buildings near The Eastbourne Academy and The Wheatsheaf Inn and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Hampden Park station, roughly 1.2 miles east of the centre. A little further out are Eastbourne District General Hospital (1.2 miles south-east) and Filching Manor And Motor Museum (1.3 miles west). Open spaces near Willingdon include Combe Hill.
Nearby places to Willingdon
Also in Willingdon
Should I look at the roof myself first?
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.
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.
What we are asked to look at in Willingdon
Flat roofs turn up on extensions, dormers, porches and garages. Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, and standing water, blisters and splits are typical signs of ageing. A buyer can easily miss them, because many can only be seen from an upstairs window.
Things that frequently lead to a survey include:
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin: a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Before you book anyone
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- When you’ll get the report
- Are they insured for the work?
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs
Many homes have a flat roof somewhere, often 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.
Clay and concrete tiles
Tiled roofs often last half a century or longer. Cracked, slipped or missing tiles are noted, and for mismatched replacements that point to past repairs.
Tips from our surveys
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Request records of any re-roofing
- Arrange the survey as soon as your offer is agreed
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
If you want quotes for the work, roofers can work from the report. The photos show the defects and where they are, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly after autumn. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.