West Sussex · London and the South East
Hickstead Thermal Roof Survey
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof across Hickstead, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
Thermal roof survey in Hickstead
Thermal imaging can also show where a roof is losing heat. Gaps in loft insulation and poorly insulated areas can stand out on the images. It works best when the building is heated and it is colder outside. The report shows the images and explains what they may mean. We do not give energy ratings or heat loss calculations. We’re often asked to look into leaks that are hard to trace and missing or slipped insulation, on commercial roofs, pitched roof slopes and insulated roof spaces.
Some older homes in villages like Hickstead are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care, before anyone decides what work it needs. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Place
- Hickstead (RH17, BN6)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about one to two hours for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Older rural homes like those around Hickstead can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We talk through the roof, any damp or leaks, and the weather expected on the day.
- We look at the roof from the ground, from windows and from the roof itself where it’s safe.
- Thermal images are taken to show differences in surface temperature.
- Areas that look unusual on the camera are checked with moisture readings where possible.
- The report sets out the images, what they suggest and what we recommend.
Before we arrive
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Book a survey
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
Places near Hickstead
Other services in Hickstead
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and a fall can be serious. That is where a survey comes in.
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
What we cannot see
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- What’s inside walls or under coverings, without opening up
- Proving moisture from the images alone
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Hickstead
- Flat roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Commercial roofs
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
Thermal roof surveys around Hickstead
Ockenden Manor, about 3.4 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Hickstead. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
For an older house near a landmark such as The Parish Church of St Peter, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Hickstead is about 3 miles west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Hickstead and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Our West Sussex coverage includes Hickstead. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
Surveys in RH17 and BN6 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you’re just outside Hickstead, we cover Goddards Green (1 mile east), Sayers Common (1 mile south), Abbotsford (2 miles east), Ansty (2 miles north-east) and Hurstpierpoint (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Crawley (10 miles north), Horsham (9 miles north-west), Worthing (13 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (5 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (3 miles east) and East Grinstead (14 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Hickstead
We work in homes and buildings around St Paul's Catholic College. The closest station to Hickstead is Burgess Hill station, roughly 3.1 miles east. A little further out are The Dene Hospital (1.3 miles east) and Clayton Castle (4.6 miles south-east). Open spaces near Hickstead include Wolstonbury Hill and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Hickstead
After a repair, some owners want to know whether the roof has dried out. A thermal survey with moisture readings can show whether wet areas remain, given suitable conditions on the day.
Look out for signs like these:
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Missing or slipped insulation
Take a building like Twineham CofE Primary School: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Tips that help
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Keep the report to compare against after any repair
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
- Clear a path to the loft hatch before we arrive
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
After the visit, we put the thermal images, photos and moisture readings into one report. We explain what each image may mean, alongside what we recommend. With a Premium Survey, you get the report the same day.
Clear outlets and gutters regularly, so water doesn’t sit on the roof. Less standing water means less chance of it getting under the covering.
Why get it checked now?
Thermal images can suggest the extent of wet areas without cutting into the roof. That helps you and your roofer decide what really needs replacing. In a place like Hickstead, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book with us
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
Questions from Hickstead
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hickstead?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Is Hickstead within the area you cover?
Yes, Hickstead is covered. Our area covers London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
When does the report arrive?
Each package has its own report time. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, tell us as you book.
What’s the best way to book?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
What conditions are best for thermal imaging?
The weather makes a real difference. It works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind. Rain, wind and heavy cloud can weaken the patterns, so we talk through the forecast as you book.
How long is the visit?
It usually takes about one to two hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. We will confirm the timing when booking.