West Sussex · London and the South East
Storm damage roof report in Ford, West Sussex
An independent record of roof damage after a storm across Ford, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Call or email for a price.
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
- Slates and tiles blown off the roof
- Gutters pulled loose in the wind
Ford questions
Is Ford within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Is the coastal weather around Ford hard on roofs?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
How do I book a survey in Ford?
Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We’ll ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
Are you loss adjusters?
No. Our report is an independent record for you to use. Your insurer may appoint its own loss adjuster.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If the survey needs it and the loft space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
Storm damage roof report in Ford: what you get
The Financial Ombudsman looks at three things when it considers a storm damage complaint: were there storm conditions on or around the date, is the damage consistent with a storm, and was the storm the main cause. Our report focuses on the second and third points. You or your insurer can check the weather for the date. If you are worried about slipped or missing slates or tiles and broken or displaced guttering, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on flashings, flat roofs and gutters and fascias alike.
In a village or hamlet like Ford, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, particularly to an insurer. We look at whatever is safely visible and set out what we find. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.
It isn’t only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Ford (BN18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Why get it checked now?
Leaving storm damage can let water into the roof space and rooms below. That can add to the damage and make it harder to separate from the storm. Emergency temporary protection should be arranged with a roofer. Older and listed buildings around Ford may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Storm damage roof report starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why book us in Ford
- Surveys seven days a week
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
- Every finding written up with photos
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Ford roofs and the weather
Ford lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. Ecclesden Manor, about 4.8 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Ford. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you own a rental within reach of Ford station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over. If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near The Parish Church of St Andrew, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Ford is about 2 miles north-west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We carry out storm damage roof reports for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Ford and nearby. Across West Sussex, we cover Ford and the places around it. You can also see our page for Brighton.
Here we cover the BN18 postcode area for storm damage roof reports. You’ll find streets such as Station Road, Ford Road and Rodney Crescent, and we cover them all. Neighbouring places we cover for storm damage roof reports include Tortington (1 mile north), Horsemere Green (1 mile south), Climping (1 mile south), Wick (1 mile east) and Lyminster (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Worthing (8 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles south-west), Chichester (9 miles west), Selsey (11 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles east) and Lancing (11 miles east).
Local landmarks in Ford
We work in homes and buildings around The Arundel Arms Public House At Ford Station, among other places. Ford has its own railway station: Ford station. A little further out are Arundel and District Hospital (2.1 miles north) and Rustington Museum (3.5 miles east). Green spaces nearby include WWT Arundel.
Also in Ford
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roof coverings
On flat roofs, storms can lift edges and tear membranes. We record any damage and where it is.
Slate roofs
Broken slates and slates that have slid out of place are common after a storm. Each area is photographed and described.
When to book a survey in Ford
Roofs that were already worn are more likely to suffer in a storm. Nail fatigue, eroded ridge mortar and tired flashings can all fail in high winds. We record recent damage alongside older defects.
Problems we come across often include:
- Broken or displaced guttering
- Damaged flat roof membrane
- Water coming in after the storm
- Roofs hit by falling trees
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as The Littlehampton Academy, water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which limits apply to the survey
- What exactly goes into their report
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Their track record with similar roofs
How the survey works
The visit typically starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the roof space if there’s safe access. All told, expect an hour or two at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. Around Ford, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We note the date of the storm and the damage you’ve seen.
- The roof is inspected from safe positions.
- Each area of damage is photographed and described.
- The report notes whether the damage fits a storm, older wear or both.
- We send you the report by email for your insurer.
Before the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Tips that help
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Keep fallen slates or tiles as evidence if safe
- Record any water damage in rooms and the loft
- Note the date and time you first saw the damage
- File receipts for anything you pay for
You get the report by email and pass it to your insurer yourself. We do not deal with the insurer on your behalf.
Have overhanging branches looked at by a tree surgeon. They can damage the roof in high winds.
When you need someone else
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- The work of a loss adjuster appointed by your insurer
- Areas we cannot see safely
- Your insurer’s view of the claim
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Gutters and fascias
- Chimney stacks
- Ridges and hips
- Flat roofs
- Flashings
- Slate and tile slopes