West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Survey in Merston
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings for Merston and the rest of West Sussex. We survey seven days a week.
- Leaning or weathered chimney stacks
- Gaps in the roof where coverings have gone
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
Roof survey in Merston
We inspect whatever is safely visible: from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where conditions allow. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging and, where it applies, a drone, for roofs that are hard to see well. All we need from you is access to the property and the loft. Everything we see is photographed for the report. If you’ve noticed debris building up in roof valleys and cracked mortar along the ridge, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
In a small place like Merston, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A roof report shows what needs attention first. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Merston (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there is safe access. In total, it takes about 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Cottages and farmhouses around Merston often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- You get in touch with the address and anything you’ve noticed.
- We arrange a day that suits you, including weekends.
- The roof is inspected from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and photograph what we find.
- Your report arrives by email, with recommendations prioritised by urgency.
How to prepare
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Book a survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof coverings
Ponding, blistering, splits and cracked surfaces are the common warning signs. Upstands and outlets are checked too, since leaks often start there.
Clay plain and peg tiles
Clay tiles are common on older South East homes, and some have Kent peg tiles held by pegs. Rotten pegs and battens let tiles move, leaving gaps along the courses.
Local roofs in Merston
Merston lies within about 4 miles of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
Historic houses such as Goodwood House, about 3.5 miles north, show how far back building around Merston goes. On a period home nearby, the survey separates sound original work from tired later repairs. If you own a rental within reach of Chichester station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. Anyone responsible for a site like North Mundham Primary School will know that long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Merston is about 3 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Merston gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at everything that’s safely in view, photographs and a clear written report. Merston is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work for roof surveys. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Every address in PO20 is within our area for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover the places around Merston: Runcton (1 mile south-west), Colworth (1 mile east), Oving (1 mile north), North Mundham (1 mile west) and Lagness (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles north-west), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Around Merston
We work in homes and buildings around Chichester High School For Girls and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Chichester station, about 2.3 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include The Chichester City Museum (2.3 miles north-west) and St Richard's Hospital (2.3 miles north-west).
Surveys for landlords and agents in Merston
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Landlords and letting agents in Merston book surveys as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Questions from Merston
Are there drone restrictions around Merston?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Merston is about 3 miles from Goodwood Aerodrome, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. Strong wind or a downpour also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Merston?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it typically shows.
Can you survey a roof I share with a neighbour?
Yes, we can. We survey the parts of the roof you have access to. Where a defect looks to be on the neighbour’s side, the report says so.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before booking, based on the roof’s size, access and package. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Do you carry out asbestos surveys?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on older buildings, we flag them and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
How long does a roof survey take?
The visit usually takes between one and two hours for most homes, depending on how many separate roofs there are. We’ll give you an idea of timing when you book.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Why get it checked now?
By the time water marks a ceiling, it is often been getting in for a while. Damp spreads through insulation and timber before anything shows below. From inside the roof space, we can often spot it sooner. Older cottages and farmhouses around Merston can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Merston
- Surveys on any day of the week
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- An independent look at the roof
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
What a survey costs
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- How big the roof is
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- When you need the report by
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.