Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

West Sussex · London and the South East

Billingshurst Flat Roof Survey

Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Billingshurst, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.

  • A sagging deck under the covering
  • Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
  • Blisters and bubbles in the covering

Need a flat roof survey in Billingshurst?

How the survey changes by roof type

Felt and built-up roofs

Built-up felt is one of the most common flat roof coverings on extensions, garages and dormers. We look for blistering, cracking, split laps and worn mineral surfacing.

Mastic asphalt

With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. The report shows where it is cracking and how far it seems to extend.

How a flat roof survey works in Billingshurst

If the house you are buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it’s worth knowing its condition before exchange. Many felt roofs need renewing after around 15 to 20 years, and EPDM and GRP frequently go on for longer. Our report records the covering, how it’s holding up and any defects we can see, with photos of each. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. We survey felt flat roofs, mastic asphalt and EPDM rubber, and people most often book us about failed seals around rooflight kerbs and gaps at upstands and abutments.

Flat roofs in smaller places like Billingshurst can be more exposed, especially where nothing shelters them, where wind can catch loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. The signs are splits, blisters and edges coming away. A flat roof that still holds water days after rain is also worth a closer look.

Where we can’t see part of the flat roof, the report says so. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.

Location
Billingshurst (RH14)
Region
West Sussex
Prices
From £150 inc. VAT
Your report
Emailed report with photos and recommendations
Survey days
Weekdays and weekends
Insurance
PI and public liability insurance
Call
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026
Illustration of a two-storey flat-roofed building with a pool of water on the roof and a magnifying glass

Flat roof surveys around Billingshurst

Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises. Historic houses like Old Place Manor, about 4.9 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Billingshurst goes. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.

If you look after a building like Billingshurst Primary School, ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season. Landlords with a home close to Billingshurst station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.

Billingshurst is about 6 miles south-west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Bookings from Billingshurst are handled just like any other: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.

We survey roofs across RH14 for flat roof surveys. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on High Street, Station Road and Lower Station Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Coneyhurst (2 miles south-east), Newpound Common (2 miles north-west), Five Oaks (2 miles north-east), The Haven (3 miles north) and Slinfold (4 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (13 miles north-east), Horsham (6 miles north-east), Worthing (14 miles south), Haywards Heath (15 miles east), Burgess Hill (15 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south).

Landmarks near Billingshurst

In Billingshurst, that means homes and buildings near The Railway Inn and The Weald School and the streets around them. Billingshurst has its own railway station: Billingshurst station. The countryside around Billingshurst includes The Mens.

Map of Billingshurst © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tips from our surveys

A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:

  • Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
  • Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
  • Book a survey every few years
  • Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done

After the visit, we write up the report with photos of what we found. It covers the type of covering, its condition and each defect, with our recommendations. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.

After heavy rain, look at the roof from an upstairs window if you can. If water is still there a day or two later, have it checked.

Common roof problems in Billingshurst

The surface of a flat roof heats up and cools down far more than the rooms below. This constant movement works at laps, seams and board joints, and in time it can open up splits and cracks. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.

Things that frequently lead to a survey include:

  • Edge trims that have lifted or split
  • Outlets choked with leaves and silt
  • A sagging deck under the covering
  • Raised blisters across the surface

If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Billingshurst Unitarian Chapel, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.

Choosing a roof surveyor

  • What experience they bring
  • Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
  • Their report turnaround times
  • What insurance they carry

What a roof survey includes

Rented homes, blocks and businesses

Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.

For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant, which helps with budgets and planning.

What we do, step by step

We do not take risks to get a closer look. Everything that can safely be seen is inspected, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. The survey normally takes between one and two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Parking around Billingshurst is usually easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside.

  1. We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
  2. Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
  3. We view the roof from safe positions and never walk on fragile surfaces.
  4. We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
  5. The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.

Preparing for the visit

  • Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
  • For flats, check roof access has been agreed
  • Let us know about parking before the day

Getting a price

For a price for flat roof surveys in Billingshurst, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Some details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.

Book your survey

Read more

Billingshurst questions

Does a conservation area affect roof work in Billingshurst?

Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.

Is Billingshurst within the area you cover?

We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.

Do you survey commercial flat roofs?

Yes. We survey flat roofs on offices, shops, industrial units and blocks of flats. We quote bigger roofs on their size and how they’re reached, so ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address.

Will you walk on the flat roof?

Only where it is safe to do so. Otherwise we use windows, vantage points and the spaces below, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We don’t walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.

What does the report include?

Written findings with photographs, explaining the condition of the flat roof, any defects and our recommendations. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.

Is it a structural engineer’s report?

No. We note visible signs like sagging or deflection, but we don’t carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.

Should I worry about standing water on my flat roof?

Standing water a day or two after rain typically needs attention. The cause may be the outlets, the falls or the deck. We check each of these and record what we find.

When you need someone else

This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:

  • Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
  • Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
  • A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing

If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.

What this survey covers

  • EPDM rubber
  • GRP fibreglass
  • Single-ply membranes
  • Mastic asphalt
  • Felt flat roofs
  • Upstands and outlets
20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT