West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof survey in Southwick, West Sussex
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings in Southwick. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
Roof survey in Southwick: what you get
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. Older tiled homes may have clay plain tiles, and many homes have a flat-roofed extension too. Each part is checked in the way that suits it. Common reasons to book are ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs and torn or sagging underlay, on flat roofs, clay and concrete tiles and ridges, hips and valleys.
Houses in smaller places like Southwick can face open ground, where wind and driving rain hit the roof harder. Ridge tiles, verges, chimney stacks and flashings take the worst of it. Checking those edges shows whether anything has begun to work loose. Once one ridge tile or slate moves, wind gets under the next one too.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Southwick (BN42, BN41, BN43)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
Our chimney check is a visual inspection of the stack, and it isn’t a flue or gas safety check. If a specialist is needed, we will say so.
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Worn or split lead lets water straight in, and lead is a target for theft.
How it works
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photographs, sent to you by email. As for time on site, it usually takes about one to two hours for most homes, depending on how many separate roofs there are. Being in a smaller place like Southwick does not change how the visit works: we look from the ground, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it is safe. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- You pick the package that suits your roof.
- On the day, we start by hearing what you’ve noticed.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- The report is emailed with findings and recommendations.
Before the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Book a survey
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and give us a few details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
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What a roof survey looks like in Southwick
Southwick lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Metal fixings and flashings corrode faster in salt air, while gales work at loose ridges, slates and tiles, while driving rain finds any gap. Southwick is about 3 miles from Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you own a rental within reach of Southwick station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. Portslade Manor lies about 0.8 miles north-east, so building around Southwick goes back a long way. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done.
Southwick is about 2 miles east of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Southwick is one of many places we visit across West Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages.
All of BN42, BN41 and BN43 is within our area for roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Station Road, Roman Crescent and Southwick Street. Southwick is on the A259 and A270, which makes it straightforward to reach. Other places close to Southwick include Kingston by Sea (1 mile north-west), Portslade (1 mile north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (2 miles west), Hangleton (2 miles north-east) and Old Shoreham (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Worthing (7 miles west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (13 miles west), Lancing (4 miles west) and Rustington (12 miles west).
Local landmarks in Southwick
We work in homes and buildings around Shoreham Academy, Benfield Hill and The Ship Inn and the streets around them. There is a railway station in Southwick itself: Southwick station. Other landmarks nearby include Southlands Hospital (1 mile west) and Churchill Square (4 miles east). Not far away are Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.
What affects the price in Southwick
Not every roof costs the same to survey, and it comes down to:
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The roof’s overall size
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
What to tell us when you get in touch
When you call or email, these details help:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- What’s prompted the survey
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What we are asked to look at in Southwick
The underlay under the coverings matters too. Breathable membranes only appeared in the UK in the late 1990s, so many older roofs have bitumen felt underlay, and some very old roofs have no underlay at all. Torn or sagging felt lets water through.
People typically book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Eastbrook Primary Academy, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
What to check before booking
- What exactly goes into their report
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Their report turnaround times
Your questions about roof surveys in Southwick
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Southwick, take more of a battering?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it normally shows, and Southwick is within about 1 mile of the coast.
Is my home in Southwick 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, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access; we will agree the details as you book.
How long does a roof survey take?
It normally takes an hour or two for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for the job before booking, based on the roof’s size, access and package. For a price, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you as you book.
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference. Our tips:
- Move stored items away from the loft hatch
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
- Keep the report with your property records
- Stay off ladders and the roof
Keep the report with your property records. It gives you something to compare against later, and buyers may ask about the roof when you sell.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear of leaves and moss, ideally after the leaves have fallen. Leave the clearing to a professional. Most overflow damage starts with a blocked gutter.
Places near Southwick
What else we do in Southwick
Can I check my roof myself?
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.