West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof survey in Waterbeach, West Sussex
An experienced roof surveyor for roof surveys in Waterbeach. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Torn or sagging underlay
- Loose chimney pots
Roof surveys for homes and businesses in Waterbeach
Three packages cover most roofs: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. Basic is a visual inspection with photos and written recommendations. The higher packages add more checks, such as moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging and a drone where it applies. Every package includes a written report. We survey clay and concrete tiles, the roof space and chimney stacks, and common reasons people get in touch are valley linings that have cracked or split and leaning or weathered chimney stacks.
Somewhere as small as Waterbeach, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, frequently 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. On older roofs, it is normally the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
We write the report in plain English, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Photos show what each point refers to.
- Location
- Waterbeach (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Local roofs in Waterbeach
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them. Goodwood Aerodrome is about 2 miles from Waterbeach. Where the drone is part of the survey, the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions first.
Goodwood House lies about 0.5 miles north-west, so building around Waterbeach goes back a long way. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done. Landlords with a home close to Chichester station may find that knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Waterbeach is about 3 miles north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Waterbeach can all book roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Waterbeach is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for roof surveys. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Roof surveys in PO18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you’re just outside Waterbeach, we cover Strettington (1 mile south), Westerton (1 mile south-west), Halnaker (1 mile east), Boxgrove (1 mile south-east) and Maudlin (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (6 miles south), Chichester (3 miles south-west), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (10 miles south-east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Local landmarks in Waterbeach
The closest station to Waterbeach is Chichester station, roughly 3.2 miles south-west. Other landmarks nearby include Chichester Castle (2.6 miles south-west) and The Chichester City Museum (2.7 miles south-west). Not far away are Levin Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
Honest limits
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- A structural engineer’s report
- The condition of the rest of the building (that’s a RICS home survey)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Ridges, hips and valleys
Surveys for landlords and agents in Waterbeach
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant beforehand.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Waterbeach. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A roof that has had no attention for years can surprise you. Our report gives you a record of how the roof is today, which makes later changes easy to spot. Older and listed buildings around Waterbeach may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included.
Why book with us
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
Read how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
Nearby places to Waterbeach
More services for Waterbeach
Waterbeach: your questions answered
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Chichester station?
Yes. We survey roofs for landlords, letting agents and managing agents as well as owners. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you need, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Is my home in Waterbeach listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not usually stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
Does a roof survey replace a structural engineer?
No. If we see signs that need an engineer, such as serious sagging, we’ll say so. We do not provide structural calculations.
How long does a roof survey take?
It usually takes about one to two hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Can you inspect a terraced or semi-detached roof?
Yes, the part you own or can give access to. We can only look at neighbouring roofs as far as access allows. Shared stacks and upstands are looked at from your property.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
Not as a figure. We describe the condition of each part of the roof and how it’s wearing, and we say what needs attention and how urgently.
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about one to two hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Older roofs in small places like Waterbeach can have low, tight loft spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start by hearing what you’d like checked and why.
- We arrange a day that suits you, including weekends.
- We inspect from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- Slates or tiles, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are all examined and photographed.
- We email a written report with photographs and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Arrange a survey
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
Do you need a roof survey in Waterbeach?
Chimneys stand exposed above the roof. Pointing erodes, flaunching cracks and pots work loose. Damp on a chimney breast inside often starts at the top of the stack.
Look out for signs like these:
- Blocked, sagging or leaking gutters
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
- Leaning or weathered chimney stacks
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
If you live in an older home near The Priory Church of St Mary and St Blaize, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- What the survey won’t cover
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?