Local Knowledge of East Sussex and Kent
We regularly inspect properties across local towns, villages and rural areas, including Victorian villas, seafront flats, listed cottages, timber-framed houses and converted or extended homes.
Local building styles and conditions vary widely. Our experience helps us identify property-specific risks and give clear advice on defects, likely causes, repair priorities and future maintenance before you exchange contracts.
Specialist Surveys for Older, Listed and Period Homes
Traditional buildings may include solid walls, lime mortar, timber frames, suspended floors, cellars, sash windows and historic alterations. Problems can develop when maintenance is delayed, alterations are poorly completed or unsuitable modern materials trap moisture within older walls.
We assess issues such as damp, roof and chimney defects, timber decay and possible legal or conservation concerns. A Level 3 Building Survey is often the best choice for an older, altered, listed, unusual, high-value or visibly defective property.
Why Choose Our Services
Trusted by homeowners, church parishes, and heritage property owners across East Sussex.
We’re a family-run company offering a personal service across East Sussex and Kent.
Unlike larger corporate firms, we take the time to understand your property and provide the depth of care it deserves.
Our inspections are thorough, reports are detailed, and we allow sufficient time to provide comprehensive advice on older, larger and unusual houses.
Have questions or need a quote? Get in touch to discuss your property and find out how we can help.
Listed, Victorian and converted house specialists
Local Knowledge and Building Conservation Experience
Witcombe Surveyors is a RICS-regulated surveying practice based in Hastings. David Witcombe is a Chartered Building Surveyor with an MSc in Building Conservation and extensive experience inspecting older houses, listed buildings and complex residential properties across East Sussex and Kent.
Older buildings need to be understood in context. A damp wall in a solid-walled cottage doesn’t need an injected damp proof course, it might just need external ground levels lowered.
Contact us to fully understand your future home.
Jenna French
2 years ago
I have always been impressed with surveys David has carried out for my clients because of how thorough and detailed his reports are – leaving no stone unturned. David is always so approachable and goes the extra mile, particularly if a client has a specific query. David's reports are bespoke with a number of photographs demonstrating each of his points. I have known clients to be reluctant as to whether to incur the expense of having a survey carried out, but are grateful they did as David's reports have uncovered instances of subsidence or chimney defects which wouldn't have been obvious upon inspection by an untrained eye. They were then able to make an informed decision as to whether or not to proceed and negotiated a price reduction. Had this not been identified by David then they may have ended up with an unexpected and significant bill to carry out such works and may have experienced problems marketing the property for future sale. I cannot emphasise how important it is to have a survey carried out on a property but more particularly so with David Witcombe who is, in my opinion, the best there is in the business!
darrell deeprose
2 years ago
Fantastic service, fantastic reports, very knowledgeable
Response from the owner
Thank you Darrell, I was very impressed with your work and negotiation in getting the drains repaired.2 years ago
Californian Classics
2 years ago
Having had a meeting with David from Witcombe surveyors and subsequent discussions about the detail and thoroughness of their surveys I can categorically state that they are in my opinion the most thorough building surveyors we have ever dealt with and have a fantastic knowledge of traditional buildings, certainly we would not look anywhere else.
If you are looking for a surveyor with integrity and attention detail for your traditional house purchase look no further
If you are looking for a surveyor with integrity and attention detail for your traditional house purchase look no further
Response from the owner
Thank you for this, it was good to meet you at your premises with all of the interesting work you do.2 years ago
Dave Thomas
2 years ago
David helped us twice, he is the best by far.
Response from the owner
Thank you, it was a pleasure to help2 years ago
Ciarán Wilson
2 years ago
David provided a fantastic service when surveying the house we intend to buy, the report was clear, detailed and comprehensive. David provided lots of additional assistance over email and went above and beyond in helping us, and was a pleasure to deal with. We can heartily recommend his services
Response from the owner
Thank you very much Ciaran, I hope all went well and it’s moving forward2 years ago
Charlotte
2 years ago
David conducted a very thorough survey, promptly produced a report with lots of useful detail, talked us through all of the main issues in a very balanced way and responded to queries very quickly and helpfully too. Would definitely recommend to anybody.
Response from the owner
Thank you Charlotte, any other questions, please come back to us.2 years ago
Rosalyn Sober
2 years ago
I would very highly recommend Witcombe, David was great.He surveyed a complicated building for us and he came across as impressively competent as well as helpful and communicative . Thank you.
Aurora Estefan
2 years ago
Excellent! Swift response to initial request, provision of detailed information and offer of support in understanding and navigating the process of buying a house.
Christine Gibbons
2 years ago
Excellent service. Detailed report arrived promptly after a verbal report on the day of the survey. Very comprehensive. Thank you
Response from the owner
Thank you Christine, please come back to me if you have any questions.2 years ago
Stuart Crosby
2 years ago
David provided an absolutely first rate survey for us on what is now our home. It was very thorough, highly detailed and he provided further explanation on anything I required. I’ve since recommended him to other friends. Excellent service.
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for this. I hope you are happy in your new home!2 years ago
Chloe Roach
4 years ago
David was absolutely wonderful. He went above and beyond to help us on both the surveys we commissioned. He's very thorough and detailed, and always wants to do the best job he can. Great communicator and very helpful, even after delivering the survey. We will definitely be using him again, should the need arise.
S C
4 years ago
We instructed David to carry out a full property survey of our Grade II listed, flint barn house. We knew there would be lots of remedial work identified, as the property has been neglected, and we wanted to ensure that the report was as thorough as possible. We'd heard good things about Witcombe Surveying, so we decided to instruct them to survey the property. David's work was astonishingly detailed, and his report has been enormously helpful to us, not just in the purchasing process but also as we plan our repairs and updates to the property. He is clearly an incredibly experienced and thorough surveyor, and he really goes the extra mile too - he spent time with us on the phone both pre- and post- the survey, which was so helpful to us during a somewhat stressful time! I cannot recommend David's company more highly.
tom mcshane
4 years ago
Witcombe surveyors have been fantastic providing me with my survey, the home buyers survey I received was incredibly detailed. Their knowledge and professionalism is unparalleled.
I run a roofing company and I often come across David's surveys when clients ask us to quote for work highlighted by David. David's surveys are exceptionally descriptive and I can often quote work from the survey directly without seeing the property.
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Witcombe Surveying and Conservation to home buyers in the future, David is a exceptional surveyor and provides an excellent service.
I run a roofing company and I often come across David's surveys when clients ask us to quote for work highlighted by David. David's surveys are exceptionally descriptive and I can often quote work from the survey directly without seeing the property.
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Witcombe Surveying and Conservation to home buyers in the future, David is a exceptional surveyor and provides an excellent service.
Nadine Keats
4 years ago
David's homebuyer's report was exceptionally thorough and detailed and gave us very clear instructions as to what we needed to follow up on. He was recommended to us by several people and for good reason!
Felicity Scott
5 years ago
I would highly recommend David's services. Calm, thorough, professional, patient - he went above and beyond to satisfy all of our requirements. As first-time buyers we felt like were in safe hands. The property we are purchasing is Grade II listed and David was very knowledgeable and clear in his advice, he really knows his stuff! We wouldn't hesitate to use his services again.
lance prebble
5 years ago
The Best of the Best, a thorough professional. David did 2 full surveys for us on semi commercial properties his analysis and recommendations enabled us to sort the wheat from the chaff and make the right choice.
Most definately the right man for the job! Thanks David.
Most definately the right man for the job! Thanks David.
Paul Player
5 years ago
I have used Witcombe surveying for my house and also and issue with my beach hut.
They were superb in every respect and I would recommend them highly.
They were superb in every respect and I would recommend them highly.
David Ardron
5 years ago
House purchase - full structural survey
As probably your single largest investment in life, it's important to know all you can about your potential new home. As a result we cannot recommend David Witcombe of Witcombe Surveying and Conservation enough. His obvious experience and wealth of knowledge produced an extremely comprehensive and detailed report (more than we expected), which you can easily understand. The report really opens your eyes to all issues (large or small), allowing you to make a fully informed decision. Not only that, David is keen to discuss any issues and help you find realistic solutions. The survey report has been invaluable in our purchase process - which hasn't concluded yet ! We are very appreciative of David's continued assistance in our journey. We would definitely recommend Witcombe Surveying and Conservation. Again, our thanks.
As probably your single largest investment in life, it's important to know all you can about your potential new home. As a result we cannot recommend David Witcombe of Witcombe Surveying and Conservation enough. His obvious experience and wealth of knowledge produced an extremely comprehensive and detailed report (more than we expected), which you can easily understand. The report really opens your eyes to all issues (large or small), allowing you to make a fully informed decision. Not only that, David is keen to discuss any issues and help you find realistic solutions. The survey report has been invaluable in our purchase process - which hasn't concluded yet ! We are very appreciative of David's continued assistance in our journey. We would definitely recommend Witcombe Surveying and Conservation. Again, our thanks.
