Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Roof survey in Westdene, Brighton and Hove
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out roof surveys in Westdene, with photos and a clear written report.
- Crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
What we cannot see
A survey is a careful look at the roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
- The condition of the rest of the building (that is a RICS home survey)
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roofs
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
How a roof survey works in Westdene
People book a roof survey for all sorts of reasons. Some have spotted a stain or a slipped slate, others want a check before selling or after years without one. The approach is the same in each case: we inspect carefully and explain what we see in writing. Visits run on weekdays and at weekends, so it is easy to find a day that suits. We survey flat roofs, the roof space and ridges, hips and valleys, and people most often book us about gutters that overflow in heavy rain and debris building up in roof valleys.
In a smaller place like Westdene, homes range from older cottages to bungalows and newer houses. Older roofs can have slate, clay tiles or other traditional coverings, while many later ones have concrete tiles. On older homes, chimney stacks, valleys and gutters are normally where the work is. Nails and battens under older coverings often give out before the slates or tiles themselves.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Location
- Westdene (BN1, BN3)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof surveys around Westdene
Westdene lies within about 3 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
Landlords with a home close to Preston Park station may find that a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let. Shop and office owners around Churchill Square may find that knowing the roof’s condition lets you budget for work rather than pay for emergencies. Preston Manor & Gardens, about 1.3 miles south-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Westdene. Older roofs nearby frequently mix original materials with later repairs, and the survey shows where each one is.
Westdene is about 2 miles north-east of Brighton and Hove, in Brighton and Hove. We visit Westdene as part of our work across Brighton and Hove, for homes and businesses alike. We cover towns and villages across Brighton and Hove.
All of BN1 and BN3 is covered for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof survey at a property on Mill Road, Croft Road and London Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Westdene is on the A27, which makes it straightforward to reach. Other places close to Westdene include Patcham (1 mile north-east), Withdean (1 mile south-east), Waterhall (1 mile north), Preston (1 mile south-east) and West Blatchington (1 mile south-west). Further out, we also cover Carlton Hill (3 miles south-east), Hanover (3 miles south-east), Kemptown (3 miles south-east), Whitehawk (3 miles south-east), Bevendean (3 miles south-east) and Saltdean (7 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Westdene
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Varndean College, Withdean and Westdene Woods and The Sportsman pub. Westdene’s nearest station is Preston Park station, roughly 1 mile south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Clayton Castle (3.5 miles north) and British Engineerium (1.2 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Ladies Mile and Wolstonbury Hill.
What a survey costs
When we price a survey, we consider:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What to tell us when you contact us
These details help when you get in touch:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- The kind of building and roof involved
If you’re buying, it’s useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
Each chimney’s pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked. We note any lean or loose pots.
Flat roof coverings
Standing water, blisters and splits all point to wear. Upstands and outlets are checked too, since leaks frequently start there.
Westdene questions
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Westdene, take more of a battering?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it usually shows.
Is Westdene within the area you cover?
Yes. Westdene is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
Only where it is safe to do so. We also inspect from the ground, from windows and vantage points, and from the loft. On Premium, a drone is used where it applies.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we are looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you when you book.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your survey before booking. To get a price, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
How long does a roof survey take?
The visit normally takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. We will give you an idea of timing as you book.
Useful tips for Westdene property owners
You do not need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Let us know about any leaks or stains you’ve seen
- Move stored items away from the loft hatch
- Include dormers, porches and garages as you book
- Have details of recent roof work to hand
File the report with your other home documents. It is a useful baseline for future surveys, and it can help when you sell.
After a storm, check the roof from the garden and the street. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles or pieces in the garden are signs something has moved. Getting small faults fixed quickly keeps water out.
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. A typical visit takes an hour or two at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Being in a smaller place like Westdene doesn’t change how the visit works: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- We check the roof from each safe vantage point outside.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there is safe access.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
Before we arrive
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
Book a survey
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before you book.
Advice
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Letting agents and landlords in Westdene book surveys as well as householders. A report with photographs gives you a clear record of the roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.