East Sussex · London and the South East
South Chailey Roof Survey
Roof surveys in South Chailey, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photographs.
- Condensation or damp timbers in the loft
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Debris building up in roof valleys
Roof surveys for homes and businesses in South Chailey
Across London and South East England, roofs differ widely. A Victorian or Edwardian terrace may have slate, a central valley gutter and parapet walls, and many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles instead. Whatever yours has, the survey is adapted to it. 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 chimney stacks, clay and concrete tiles and lead flashings, and the problems we are asked to look at most are debris building up in roof valleys and gaps in the roof where coverings have gone.
In a small place like South Chailey, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Place
- South Chailey (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
South Chailey homes and their roofs
Anne of Cleves House, about 5 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around South Chailey. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
For landlords with property near Plumpton station, a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak.
South Chailey is about 4 miles north of Lewes, in East Sussex. South Chailey is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. South Chailey is one of the places in East Sussex where we work for roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
We cover every part of the BN8 postcode area for roof surveys. Streets in the area include Mill Brooks, Whitegates Close and Brickyard Lane. If you’re just outside South Chailey, we cover South Street (1 mile north), Chiltington (1 mile south), Chailey (2 miles north-east), East Chiltington (2 miles south-west) and Plumpton Green (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Seaford (13 miles south-east), Lewes (4 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (11 miles north-east), Uckfield (6 miles east) and Newhaven (11 miles south).
Near you in South Chailey
Typical jobs here are in homes near Swan Public House. For rail, the closest station is Plumpton station, about 1.7 miles south-west. Other landmarks nearby include Lewes Castle (4.8 miles south) and Lewes Victoria Hospital (4.5 miles south). Not far away are Blackcap and Malling Down.
Questions from South Chailey
Will you come out to South Chailey?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We survey roofs across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Is my home in South Chailey listed or in a conservation area?
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.
Will the report say how many years my roof has left?
Not as a figure. The report explains the condition of each part and the signs of wear, with recommendations ranked by urgency.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do you go up on the roof?
When the roof and the conditions make it safe, yes. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft.
Do you look in the roof space?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there’s safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement.
What we do, step by step
The visit typically starts outside and finishes in the loft: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. All told, expect between one and two hours for most homes, depending on how many separate roofs there are. Older roofs in small places like South Chailey can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- Outside, we inspect from ground level, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- We then look in the loft for damp, staining and the condition of the underlay.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Getting a price
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Read more
Towns and villages near South Chailey
What else we do in South Chailey
Common roof problems in South Chailey
What’s under the slates or tiles is as important as the coverings themselves. Breathable membranes only appeared in the UK in the late 1990s, so older roofs often have bitumen felt, and very old ones may have none. Felt that has torn or perished stops doing its job.
People usually book a survey after spotting one of these:
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Debris building up in roof valleys
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
Anyone responsible for a site like Chailey School will know that its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Questions to ask before you book
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Their insurance cover
Checking the roof from ground level
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we look at:
- House, block, shop or office
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
What we need to know
A little information up front helps. It is useful to include:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The address and postcode of the property
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just phone 07833 053749 or email us when you’re ready.
Practical tips
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Check the roof from ground level after storms
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Photograph stains when they appear
- Clear the loft hatch area before we arrive
The Premium Survey includes a 12-month follow-up. It shows how the roof has fared over the year.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear of leaves and moss, ideally after the leaves have fallen. Leave the clearing to a professional. Clear gutters prevent a lot of damp.
Surveys for landlords and agents in South Chailey
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.