West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Houghton, West Sussex
Thermal roof surveys around Houghton, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Water that travels before it shows
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
Thermal roof survey in Houghton
A thermal imaging roof survey uses a thermal camera to show differences in surface temperature across a roof. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or places where heat is getting out. The camera does not see water itself, so we check what it shows with moisture readings. Thermal imaging is included in our Premium Survey, from £400. The report also notes the conditions on the day, since they affect what the camera can show. If you’re worried about damp around roof outlets and upstands and wet insulation beneath the membrane, we can find out what’s behind it, on pitched roof slopes, loft conversions and insulated roof spaces alike.
Older buildings in small places like Houghton may be listed or in a conservation area. A look from above or with a thermal imager doesn’t touch the roof, so it is a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Location
- Houghton (BN18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
A poorly insulated roof loses heat year after year. Thermal images can show where insulation is missing or has slipped, so you know where to put things right. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
One thing that affects the price is the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why book with us
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- 20+ years’ experience
- 98% customer satisfaction
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Nearby places to Houghton
More services for Houghton
Questions from Houghton
Will you come out to Houghton?
Yes. Houghton is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Houghton?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Houghton as anywhere else.
Does thermal imaging detect leaks directly?
Not directly. It shows surface temperature, and wet areas can show up because they hold heat differently. That’s why we check any patterns with moisture readings.
How long is the visit?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take an hour or two for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. The written report follows by email.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
When does the report arrive?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know when booking.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Someone needs to let us in if we are looking inside or in the loft. We will talk about access when you book.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps with budgets and planning.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photos included.
What happens on the day
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect whatever is safely visible, and anything we can’t see is noted in the report. Most visits take between one and two hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. Older roofs in small places like Houghton can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- We start with the roof, its history and any signs of damp or heat loss.
- The weather and surface conditions are recorded.
- A full inspection and thermal imaging are carried out together.
- We back up the thermal patterns with moisture readings.
- The Premium report reaches you the same day, and we go through it with you in person.
Before we arrive
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Check pets are kept safely away
How to book
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Honest limits
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- A formal energy assessment
- Seeing water directly, as the camera shows temperature, not moisture
- A structural engineer’s assessment
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll recommend the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Insulated roof spaces
- Loft conversions
- Flat roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
Practical tips
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Ask us about the forecast if rain is expected
- Don’t switch the heating off before the visit
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
- Keep dated photos of any marks on ceilings
The report explains the conditions on the day and how they affected the images. It helps you judge how firm each finding is.
Keep outlets and gutters clear so water drains off the roof quickly. Less standing water means less chance of it getting under the covering.
Checking the roof from the ground
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
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 thermal roof survey looks like in Houghton
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. About 2.8 miles north-west lies Bignor Roman Villa, a reminder of how long the area around Houghton has been built on. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as 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 Nicholas, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image. Anyone responsible for a site like Dorset House School will know that a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Houghton is about 6 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Houghton is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Our West Sussex coverage includes Houghton and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
All of BN18 is covered for thermal roof surveys. We also cover the places around Houghton: Arundel (3 miles south), Warningcamp (3 miles south-east), Crossbush (3 miles south), Tortington (4 miles south) and Poling (4 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (8 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (9 miles south-west), Chichester (11 miles west), Selsey (15 miles south-west), Littlehampton (6 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (13 miles east).
What’s near Houghton
We work in homes and buildings around Arundel Park. The nearest railway station is Amberley station, about 0.5 miles north-east. A little further out are Arundel and District Hospital (2.7 miles south) and Amberley Castle (1.2 miles north-east). The countryside around Houghton includes Amberley Wild Brooks and Bignor Hill.