West Sussex · London and the South East
West Dean Thermal Roof Survey
Thermal roof surveys across West Dean, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
Questions from West Dean
Do you cover West Dean?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Will you come out to West Dean?
Yes. West Dean is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
Can you use a thermal camera on a sloping roof?
On pitched roofs, the camera can point to heat loss and some damp patterns. We explain what the images can and can’t tell you, and back them up with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
Will thermal imaging find my leak?
It is a useful tool for tracing leaks, but not the only one. What it shows depends on the weather and the roof. Where it can’t be pinned down, the report suggests a next step, such as electronic leak detection.
What’s the best way to book?
Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
Our Premium Survey, from £400, includes thermal imaging. An in-person consultation and a follow-up 12 months later are included too. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for their size.
About our thermal roof survey in West Dean
Wet insulation under a flat roof covering holds heat for longer than dry. So a wet patch can show as a warmer or cooler area on the camera. It helps us see how far water may have spread under the covering, which is hard to judge by eye. We then check those areas with moisture readings. If you’ve noticed areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions and leaks far from where the stain appears, we can find out what’s behind it.
Somewhere as small as West Dean, older roofs are often steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what can’t be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at before the visit, and the journey is planned ahead of time. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent.
- Place
- West Dean (PO18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
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 when budgeting.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer.
How the survey works
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photographs. On timing, it typically takes about one to two hours on an ordinary house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Older roofs in small places like West Dean can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start by discussing the roof, any signs of damp and how the weather may affect the images.
- We carry out a visual inspection of the roof from wherever it can be seen safely.
- A thermal camera records how the surface temperature varies across the roof.
- We check the patterns that stand out with moisture readings where there’s safe access.
- You get a report with thermal images, photos and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Why get it checked now?
Without thermal imaging, the only way to see how far water has spread is often to open up the roof. That helps you and your roofer decide what really needs replacing. Around West Dean, older homes often have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Our price is from £400, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
Why book with us
- Photographs and a written report every time
- An independent look at the roof
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
Can I check my roof myself?
A lot can be seen from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
What a survey costs
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- Height and safe access
- How big the roof is
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Helping us price your survey
To price your survey accurately, we’ll ask about:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- When you need the report by
We confirm the price for the job before you book, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £400, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What we’re asked to look at in West Dean
Cold rooms under a roof, or high heating bills, lead some people to ask about heat loss. Gaps in loft insulation and poorly insulated roof areas can show up on the camera, particularly when there is a clear difference between inside and outside.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
- Gaps in loft insulation
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Andrew: steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that’s where a view by drone or thermal camera helps.
Before booking anyone
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- What follow-up you get after the report
- What insurance they carry
Other services in West Dean
Flying and imaging in West Dean
About 0.1 miles north-east lies West Dean House, a reminder of how long the area around West Dean has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Take a building like West Dean CofE Primary School: big roofs are where close-up aerial shots and thermal images show the most at once.
West Dean is about 4 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Wherever you are in West Dean, we can carry out thermal roof surveys at your property. West Dean is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for thermal roof surveys. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
All of PO18 is covered for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Other places close to West Dean include Singleton (1 mile east), Charlton (2 miles east), East Dean (3 miles east), Cocking (3 miles north) and Bepton (4 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (9 miles south-east), Chichester (4 miles south), Selsey (12 miles south), Littlehampton (13 miles south-east), Emsworth (8 miles south-west) and Rustington (13 miles south-east).
What’s near West Dean
West Dean’s nearest station is Fishbourne station, roughly 4.8 miles south. A little further out are Chichester Castle (4.5 miles south) and Museum of Gardening (within half a mile north-east). The countryside around West Dean includes Levin Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.