West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Mackerel's Common
We take a careful look at the roof at your property in Mackerel's Common, and put it all in a report with photos.
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
Thermal roof survey in Mackerel's Common
Flat roofs over extensions, garages, flats and commercial buildings are where thermal imaging frequently helps most. It can show patterns that point to trapped moisture under the membrane. Pitched roofs with slates or tiles are often harder to read, because of the air space beneath, so we combine the camera with an inspection from the loft where there’s safe access. Typical surveys look at wet insulation beneath the membrane and wet areas near outlets and upstands, across insulated roof spaces, pitched roof slopes and flat roofs.
In a small place like Mackerel's Common, open ground can mean strong wind. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
If any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Location
- Mackerel's Common (RH14)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Why act early in Mackerel's Common
The longer moisture sits in a roof, the more it can affect timbers and finishes below. Surveying sooner gives you more choice about what to do. Matching old materials, like handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can safely be seen and the package you choose.
Why book us in Mackerel's Common
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Every finding written up with photos
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- Package prices that include VAT
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
Airspace, weather and Mackerel's Common roofs
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Steep or complicated roofs are frequently hard to see from ground level, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help.
For an older house near a landmark like The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement. Petworth House lies about 4.6 miles south-west, so building around Mackerel's Common goes back a long way. Aerial photos and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Mackerel's Common is about 10 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Wherever you are in Mackerel's Common, we can come and survey your property. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our Guildford page.
Every address in RH14 is within our area for thermal roof surveys. If you’re just outside Mackerel's Common, we cover Kirdford (1 mile south), Plaistow (2 miles north), Ifold (2 miles north), Balls Cross (2 miles south-west) and Wisborough Green (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (10 miles east), Broadfield (15 miles east), Storrington (9 miles south-east), Billingshurst (5 miles east), Bewbush (15 miles east) and Angmering (15 miles south).
Near you in Mackerel's Common
The nearest railway station is Billingshurst station, about 4.8 miles south-east of the centre. For a walk, there’s The Mens and Shillinglee Lake.
How the survey works
We will ask a few questions first, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes an hour or two at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. In a small place like Mackerel's Common, access is normally the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- Thermal images are taken across the roof and, where there’s safe access, in the loft.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- Each image is set beside a normal photo and explained in the report.
How to prepare
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Tell us about parking before the day
Arrange a survey
For a price for thermal roof surveys in Mackerel's Common, call 07833 053749 or email us. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Read more
Different roofs, different checks
GRP fibreglass roofs
Water under a GRP roof can reach the timber deck. The camera can help show where to look.
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Water often gets in where roofs meet walls, parapets or valley gutters. Thermal imaging can help show damp patterns around them.
Places near Mackerel's Common
More services for Mackerel's Common
Landlord and commercial surveys in Mackerel's Common
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Questions from Mackerel's Common
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Mackerel's Common?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is Mackerel's Common in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Mackerel's Common as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Does thermal imaging detect leaks directly?
The camera does not see water itself. Wet insulation holds heat longer than dry, so it can stand out, but we check each finding with moisture readings.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
How long is the visit?
Expect it to take about 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. You’ll then get the report by email.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photographs and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
What we can’t see
No survey can tell you everything, and it is better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- An energy rating for the building
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
- A structural engineer’s assessment
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Mackerel's Common
- Commercial roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
- Flat roofs
Useful tips for Mackerel's Common property owners
Small things make a difference. Our tips:
- Keep dated photos of any marks on ceilings
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
- Ask us about the forecast if rain is expected
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
You can pass the report to a roofer so they can see where the problem areas seem to be. Each thermal image is matched to a normal photo, so the areas are easy to locate.
Clear outlets and gutters regularly, so water doesn’t sit on the roof. The less water sits, the less can find its way beneath.