West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Balcombe, West Sussex
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof for Balcombe, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Stains that keep coming back
About our thermal roof survey in Balcombe
Your report sets out the thermal images alongside ordinary photographs, making it clear where on the roof each pattern is. Each one comes with an explanation, the moisture readings and our recommendation. With a Premium Survey, the report reaches you the same day. You can talk the findings through with us at the in-person consultation. There’s a 12-month follow-up as well. Common reasons to book are cold areas below the roof and areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions, across commercial roofs, pitched roof slopes and loft conversions.
Villages like Balcombe often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Balcombe (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from Balcombe
Do you cover smaller places like Balcombe?
Yes, Balcombe is covered. Our area covers London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Balcombe is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
Can thermal imaging show missing insulation?
The camera can point to heat loss and gaps in insulation. We don’t give energy ratings or heat loss calculations, but the report shows where to look more closely.
How long will you be at the property?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take between one and two hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. The written report follows by email.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
When you need someone else
It’s a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- Confirming water without moisture readings
- Insulation values or heat loss calculations
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Insulated roof spaces
- Flat roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Commercial roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
Why act early in Balcombe
For buyers, a thermal survey adds detail that a visual inspection can’t give. Hidden problems found before exchange can be raised with the seller or agent. Older cottages and farmhouses around Balcombe can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
Prices start from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and which survey you book.
Why us?
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- 20+ years’ experience
- An independent view of the roof
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
Drones, thermal imaging and Balcombe roofs
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. The wider area around Balcombe has a long history of building, with Tyes Place about 2.1 miles south-west. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Mary, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Balcombe is about 4 miles north of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. Balcombe gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a proper look at whatever is safely visible, photographs and a clear written report. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex.
Every address in RH17 is within our area for thermal roof surveys. Streets in the area include London Road, Stockcroft Road and Deanland Road, all of which we cover. With the B2036 close by, Balcombe is simple for us to get to. Other places close to Balcombe include Balcombe Lane (1 mile north), Brook Street (2 miles south), Staplefield (2 miles south-west), Worth Abbey (3 miles north) and Whitemans Green (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Crawley (5 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (4 miles south), Burgess Hill (7 miles south), East Grinstead (7 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Balcombe
Balcombe has its own railway station: Balcombe station. Well-known places in the area include Princess Royal Hospital (4.9 miles south) and Cuckfield Museum (3.5 miles south). For a walk, there is Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
Towns and villages near Balcombe
What else we do in Balcombe
The survey, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and anything we can’t see is noted in the report. The survey typically takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Older roofs in small places like Balcombe can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- First we go over the roof, the problem you’ve noticed and the conditions forecast for the visit.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof itself where it is safe.
- A thermal camera records how the surface temperature varies across the roof.
- We check the patterns that stand out with moisture readings where there is safe access.
- The report sets out the images, what they suggest and what we recommend.
Preparing for the visit
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Getting a price
To get a price for thermal roof surveys in Balcombe, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us give you an accurate price.
Related advice
What we are asked to look at in Balcombe
Some defects simply can’t be seen with the eye. Wet insulation, gaps in insulation and heat loss are frequently invisible from outside. Thermal imaging gives us another way to look for them.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
If you look after a building such as Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Questions to ask before you book
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Their report turnaround times
- Will the report include photos?
Checking the roof from the ground
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That is where a survey comes in.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
What a survey costs
We confirm the price for your roof before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Roof area
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Height and safe access
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Getting in touch
These details help when you get in touch:
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Anything about access we should know
- The property’s address and postcode
- When you need the report by
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.