West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Merston
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof for Merston, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
What we do, step by step
After the inspection, everything we found is written up as a written report with photos, sent to you by email. As for time on site, it normally takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Around Merston, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- We look over the roof from wherever it’s safe.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Before we arrive
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Arrange a survey
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £400, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Thermal roof survey in Merston
A thermal imaging roof survey uses a thermal camera to show differences in surface temperature across a roof. Those patterns can point to trapped moisture, missing insulation or heat escaping. It is important to know that the camera shows temperature, not water, 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. Typical surveys look at cold spots on ceilings under the roof and areas of a flat roof that may hold water, across flat roofs, pitched roof slopes and ceilings below the roof.
In a village or hamlet like Merston, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you can’t get from the ground. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first, and the journey is planned in advance. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Merston (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Merston
Also in Merston
FAQs for Merston
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Merston?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Merston is about 3 miles from Goodwood Aerodrome, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, and the rest of the survey does not depend on the drone.
How do I find out if my home in Merston is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey seven days a week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Just let us know the days that suit you.
Does the weather affect a thermal survey?
Conditions on the day affect the results. A sunny day beforehand, a dry surface and calm air all help. Rain and strong wind can make the images less clear, so we discuss the forecast when booking.
What’s in the report?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, with photos throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, so you know exactly what was covered.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
Do you cover Merston for thermal roof surveys?
Yes. We cover Merston and the rest of West Sussex. To book, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Flying and imaging in Merston
Merston is within about 4 miles of the coast. Calm, dry conditions after a sunny day suit thermal imaging best, so the visit is planned around the forecast. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of St Giles, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help. With Goodwood House about 3.5 miles north, the area around Merston has a long history. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey from the air or with a thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself.
Merston is about 3 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. We visit Merston as part of our work across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Merston is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work for thermal roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Portsmouth.
All of PO20 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Other places close to Merston include Runcton (1 mile south-west), Colworth (1 mile east), Oving (1 mile north), North Mundham (1 mile west) and Lagness (1 mile south). We also work in nearby towns such as Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles north-west), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Near you in Merston
Around Merston, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Chichester High School For Girls and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Chichester station, about 2.3 miles west. Nearby you will also find The Chichester City Museum (2.3 miles north-west) and St Richard's Hospital (2.3 miles north-west).
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
- Insulation values or heat loss calculations
- The condition of timbers we cannot see
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Merston
- Pitched roof slopes
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Flat roofs
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
Landlords, agents and block managers in Merston
We survey roofs for landlords and letting agents as well as householders. A report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.
Leave it or get it looked at?
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. For an older or listed building in a place like Merston, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £400, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why us?
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- A written report with photos
- An independent view of the roof
Read our cost guide and two real surveys.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Don’t go up yourself.
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.
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Merston
Not every roof problem shows on the surface. Wet insulation, gaps in insulation and heat loss are often invisible from outside. A thermal camera adds another way of finding them.
Look out for signs like these:
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
Anyone responsible for a site like North Mundham Primary School will know that thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Before you book anyone
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether you get a written report with photos