West Sussex · London and the South East
Storm damage roof report in Ditchling Common, West Sussex
An independent record of roof damage after a storm for Ditchling Common, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Damage from fallen branches or debris
- Damaged gutters and fascias
- Cowls or aerials dislodged in the wind
Wind, rain and roofs in Ditchling Common
The wider area around Ditchling Common has a long history of building, with Ockenden Manor about 4.7 miles north-west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
If you look after a building like Birchwood Grove Community Primary School, on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain. If you let a flat or house near Burgess Hill station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
Ditchling Common is about 2 miles south-east of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Ditchling Common, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Ditchling Common is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Here we cover the BN6 postcode area for storm damage roof reports. Neighbouring places we cover for storm damage roof reports include Wivelsfield (1 mile north), Wivelsfield Green (2 miles north-east), Plumpton Green (2 miles south-east), Streat (2 miles south) and East Chiltington (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Crawley (12 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Haywards Heath (4 miles north), East Grinstead (13 miles north), Shoreham-by-Sea (11 miles south-west) and Lancing (13 miles south-west).
Around Ditchling Common
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Burgess Hill Academy and Burgess Hill Girls and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Burgess Hill station, roughly 1.6 miles west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Clayton Castle (3.4 miles south-west) and Burgess Hill Museum (1.7 miles north-west). Not far away are Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Ditchling Beacon.
How a storm damage roof report works in Ditchling Common
What counts as a storm depends on your policy, though many use gusts of about 55 mph. Your policy document sets out its own definition. We do not decide whether a storm met that test. We record the damage and what seems to have caused it. Each area of damage is photographed, and the report is yours to pass on. Insurers decide claims on their own policy wording. We survey chimney stacks, slate and tile slopes and gutters and fascias, and people most frequently book us about gutters pulled loose in the wind and damage from fallen branches or debris.
Somewhere as small as Ditchling Common, older roofs have often been repaired many times. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you are thinking of an insurance claim. We check whatever is safely visible and set out what we find. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent.
- Place
- Ditchling Common (BN6)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common questions in Ditchling Common
Is Ditchling Common in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Ditchling Common as anywhere else.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ditchling Common?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Should I go up on the roof to take photos?
Only from the ground or from windows. Don’t use a ladder or go onto the roof. With binoculars, you can see a lot from the ground, and we will record the rest.
How long is the visit?
It normally takes about 1–2 hours at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. We will confirm the timing as you book.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, like cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings.
How much is a storm damage roof report?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Larger or more complex roofs are quoted for their size. Repair costs aren’t included, so ask a roofer to quote.
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Note the date and time you first saw the damage
- Check your policy for how to report damage
- Keep invoices for temporary repairs
- Take photos from ground level or a window, never by climbing
You get the report by email and pass it to your insurer yourself. It’s your record to use.
Have overhanging branches looked at by a tree surgeon. Branches can hit or scrape the roof in a storm.
What we do, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Around Ditchling Common, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You let us know what happened and whether a roofer has made the roof safe.
- We check inside, including the loft where there is access, for water damage.
- We view the roof from safe positions.
- Storm damage and older wear are recorded separately where we can.
- You receive the written report with photographs.
Before the survey
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Leave side gates unlocked
Getting a price
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
What affects the price in Ditchling Common
Survey packages start from £150, with VAT included. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
Prices start from £150, inc. VAT, for a Basic Survey. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. You will know the price for the job before booking.
What to tell us when you contact us
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you get in touch, it helps to mention:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book and it will help the survey.
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What this survey can’t tell you
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Damage hidden under coverings or inside the structure, without opening up
- Estimates of repair costs
- The work of a loss adjuster appointed by your insurer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Ditchling Common
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Gutters and fascias
- Ridges and hips
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flashings
Why act early in Ditchling Common
A clear, independent record helps you explain the damage to your insurer. It records the damage and what seems to have caused it, alongside any photos you took yourself. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
For a price for your roof in Ditchling Common, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What you get with us
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- An independent look at the roof
- Package prices that include VAT
- PI and public liability insurance
See our cost guide and our case studies.