West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Chidham, West Sussex
A careful look at the roof at your property in Chidham, with photographs and a written report.
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Damp patches with no obvious cause
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
How a thermal roof survey works in Chidham
On a flat roof, wet insulation holds heat longer than dry insulation. So a wet patch can show as a warmer or cooler area on the camera. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, which is hard to judge by eye. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. Common reasons to book are damp that repairs haven’t cured and cold areas below the roof, across commercial roofs, insulated roof spaces and flat roofs.
In a village or hamlet like Chidham, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what cannot be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at ahead of the visit. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
After the visit, you get a photo-illustrated written report, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Chidham (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your 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
Questions from Chidham
How do I find out if my home in Chidham is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Do you cover Chidham?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Chidham as anywhere else.
Is thermal imaging useful on pitched roofs?
It can help, but the results are often less clear than on a flat roof. Slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s below, so we also look from the loft where it is safe.
Can a thermal camera see water?
Not directly. It shows temperature, and wet materials often behave differently from dry ones. That’s why we check any patterns with moisture readings.
Can a thermal survey trace a roof leak?
It frequently helps show where to look. Patterns can suggest where trapped water has spread. We combine it with a visual inspection and moisture readings because the camera can’t confirm water on its own.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
How do I book a survey in Chidham?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or email us. Give us the address and some details about the roof, and we’ll point you to the right survey. We survey seven days a week.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
What we cannot see
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- A formal energy assessment
- A structural engineer’s assessment
- Proving moisture from the images alone
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Commercial roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Flat roofs
- Loft conversions
- Ceilings below the roof
- Pitched roof slopes
How it works
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey normally takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. Somewhere as small as Chidham, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First we go over the roof, the problem you’ve noticed and the conditions forecast for the visit.
- We check the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof itself where it is safe.
- Thermal images are taken to show differences in surface temperature.
- We check the patterns that stand out with moisture readings where there’s safe access.
- The report sets out the images, what they suggest and what we recommend.
How to prepare
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
How to book
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Related advice
Landlords, agents and block managers in Chidham
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Chidham. For a price for a let property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps with budgets and planning.
Thermal roof surveys around Chidham
Chidham lies within about 2 miles of the sea. Calm, dry conditions after a sunny day suit thermal imaging best, so the visit is planned around the forecast. About 4.1 miles west lies Warblington Castle, a reminder of how long the area around Chidham has been built on. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Mary, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that’s where a view by drone or thermal camera helps. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Chidham Parochial Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Chidham is about 4 miles west of Chichester, in West Sussex. Roofs in Chidham get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Chidham is one of the places in West Sussex where we work. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
Surveys in PO18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include Chidham Lane, Harbour Way and Cot Lane, and we cover them all. If you’re just outside Chidham, we cover Nutbourne (1 mile north-west), Bosham (1 mile east), Broadbridge (1 mile east), Hambrook (1 mile north) and Bosham Hoe (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (9 miles east), Chichester (4 miles east), Selsey (8 miles south-east), Littlehampton (15 miles east), Emsworth (3 miles north-west) and Portfield (5 miles east).
Near you in Chidham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Bourne Community College and the streets around them. The closest station to Chidham is Nutbourne station, roughly 1 mile north-west. A little further out are Warblington Castle (4.1 miles west) and St Richard's Hospital (4.6 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Nutborne Marshes and Stoke Down.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Repeated repairs that don’t stop a leak are a sign the source hasn’t been traced. Thermal imaging with moisture readings can help narrow it down, instead of trying repair after repair. For an older or listed building in a place like Chidham, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What you get with us
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Weekday and weekend surveys
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Nearby places to Chidham
More services for Chidham
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Heat the home normally on the days before
- Tell us where and when you’ve seen damp or stains
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
The report explains the conditions on the day and how they affected the images. That way you know how much weight to give each finding.
Check that loft insulation is laid evenly and hasn’t been pushed aside. Insulation is often moved when people work in the loft space.