West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof survey in River, West Sussex
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings in River, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Debris building up in roof valleys
- Condensation or damp timbers in the loft
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
About our roof survey in River
Everything we check, we check safely: from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where conditions allow. Premium adds thermal imaging, plus a drone inspection where applicable, for roofs that are hard to see well. You do not need to do anything except give us access. Each defect we find is photographed and explained. If you’re worried about blocked, sagging or leaking gutters and leaning or weathered chimney stacks, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a village or hamlet like River, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs frequently need the most attention.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Location
- River (GU28)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Helping us price your survey
There’s no need for technical words. Just let us know:
- When you need the report by
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Anything about access we should know
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
To get a price for roof surveys in River, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. A few details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
Also in River
Questions from River
Is my home in River listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Will you come out to River?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
Can you look at a roof that’s joined to next door?
Yes. We inspect what the owner gives us access to. If a problem seems to come from next door, we’ll say so.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
How do I book a survey in River?
The quickest way is to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Let us know the address and a little about the roof, and we will take it from there. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
What this survey cannot tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- A full building survey of the property
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- The roof space
- Flat roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Lead flashings
- Ridges, hips and valleys
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
How the survey works
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit usually takes an hour or two for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Somewhere like River needs a little journey planning: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- You tell us the address, the type of roof and what’s worrying you.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- Outside, we inspect from the ground, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- Inside, we check the roof space where there is safe access.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Booking a survey
We confirm the price for your survey before you book, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Advice
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings close the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. Lifted, split or slipped lead is recorded, and for flashings replaced with mortar or bitumen.
Flat roof coverings
Some flat roofs have been coated over several times. We say what we can see and when a closer look would need opening up.
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- File the report with your home documents
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Tell us about any leaks or stains you’ve seen
Keep the report with your property records. It is a useful baseline for future surveys, and it can help when you sell.
Look at your roof from the ground after strong winds. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles or pieces in the garden are signs something has moved. Prompt repairs stop small problems growing.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in River
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. The wider area around River has a long history of building, with Petworth House about 2.4 miles east. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Peter: the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in River across London and South East England. River is one of the places in West Sussex we cover. Guildford is in our area too.
We cover every part of the GU28 postcode area for roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for roof surveys include Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). We also work in nearby towns like Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
Local landmarks in River
In River, that means homes and buildings near The Hollist Arms Public House and the streets around them. Well-known places in the area include Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Graffham Common and Blackdown.