West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof survey in Ditchling Common, West Sussex
Independent roof surveys in Ditchling Common. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Debris building up in roof valleys
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
About our roof survey in Ditchling Common
Roofs vary a lot across London and South East England. If your home is a Victorian terrace, it may have Welsh slate, a butterfly roof and parapet gutters, while many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles. We adapt the survey to the roof in front of us. Some older homes have clay tiles, and many have a flat-roofed extension as well. Each part is checked in the way that suits it. We survey clay and concrete tiles, natural slate and flat roofs, and the problems we are asked to look at most are leaning or weathered chimney stacks and leaking gutter joints and downpipes.
In a small place like Ditchling Common, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Location
- Ditchling Common (BN6)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Common questions in Ditchling Common
Can a landlord with a rental near Burgess Hill station book a roof survey?
Of course. Let us know whether a tenant or an agent will let us in, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
How do I find out if my home in Ditchling Common 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.
Is Ditchling Common in your area?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and that includes Ditchling Common.
What do you check on a roof survey?
Every part of the roof we can safely see: coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys, gutters and the loft. Higher packages add moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging and a drone where it applies.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We will rearrange with you if the weather is not right.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Ditchling Common
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
If you own a rental within reach of Burgess Hill station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. Ockenden Manor, about 4.7 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Ditchling Common. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done.
Ditchling Common is about 2 miles south-east of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. We visit Ditchling Common as part of our work across West Sussex. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton.
All of BN6 is covered for roof surveys. If you’re just outside Ditchling Common, we cover Wivelsfield (1 mile north), Wivelsfield Green (2 miles north-east), Plumpton Green (2 miles south-east), Streat (2 miles south) and East Chiltington (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (12 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Haywards Heath (4 miles north), East Grinstead (13 miles north), Shoreham-by-Sea (11 miles south-west) and Lancing (13 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Ditchling Common
We work in homes and buildings around The Burgess Hill Academy and Burgess Hill Girls. Ditchling Common’s nearest station is Burgess Hill station, roughly 1.6 miles west. Nearby you will also find Clayton Castle (3.4 miles south-west) and Burgess Hill Museum (1.7 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Ditchling Beacon.
Practical tips
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Hold on to the report for future surveys
- Let us know about past leaks
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Take photos of any leaks as they happen
We email the report to you, with photos of what we found. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Each finding is set out in plain English, with recommendations.
Keep the roof space ventilated. Condensation builds up when air cannot move, which can dampen timbers and insulation over time. Make sure insulation doesn’t block the airflow at the eaves.
What we’re asked to look at in Ditchling Common
The coverings are rarely the first thing to fail. On slate roofs, corroded nails let slates slip, which is known as ‘nail fatigue’. On tiled roofs, the battens or pegs may be what’s gone, letting tiles move.
Look out for signs like these:
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Gaps in the roof where coverings have gone
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Debris building up in roof valleys
Anyone responsible for a site like Birchwood Grove Community Primary School will know that large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other.
Before booking anyone
- Their track record with similar roofs
- What insurance they carry
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
How the survey works
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey usually takes between one and two hours for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Older roofs in small places like Ditchling Common can have low, tight loft spaces, so it is useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it is safe.
- You tell us the address, the type of roof and what’s worrying you.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We look at the roof from every safe viewpoint outside.
- Inside, we check the roof space where there is safe access.
- We email a written report with photographs and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Getting a price
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us a few details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ditchling Common
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Places near Ditchling Common
What else we do in Ditchling Common
What a roof survey does not cover
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Asbestos testing of any kind
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will point you to the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Lead flashings
- Flat roofs
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Natural slate
What a survey costs
Our packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Getting in touch
When you call or email, these details help:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or use the contact form whenever suits you.