West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Birchgrove, West Sussex
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings in Birchgrove, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Get in touch for a price.
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
How a flat roof survey works in Birchgrove
Flat roofs deal with rain in a very different way from pitched ones. Because rain sits on it for longer, a small split, an open seam or a blocked outlet matters more. We check the surface, the falls, the upstands and the edge trims, and we note any sign that the deck below has got wet. That way, defects are found before they reach the room below. We survey single-ply membranes, upstands and outlets and GRP fibreglass, and the problems we are asked to look at most are leaks around rooflights and a sagging deck under the covering.
Some older homes in villages like Birchgrove are listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. Check with the council before planning any change of material. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Where
- Birchgrove (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the cost of flat roof surveys
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We’ll give you the figure before anything is booked.
What to let us know when you contact us
Some details help us recommend the right survey and price. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- What made you get in touch
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Anything about access we should know
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
What a flat roof survey looks like in Birchgrove
In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises. With Priest House about 2.9 miles north-west, Birchgrove sits in an area with a long building history. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.
Birchgrove is about 5 miles south of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Birchgrove gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a close look at whatever is safely visible, photographs and a clear written report. Birchgrove is one of the places in West Sussex we cover. There is also a page for Crawley.
All of RH17 is within our area for flat roof surveys. Other places close to Birchgrove include Chelwood Gate (1 mile east), Chelwood Common (1 mile south-east), Danehill (1 mile south), Horsted Keynes (2 miles south-west) and Wych Cross (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Crawley (9 miles north-west), Horsham (14 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (8 miles south-west), East Grinstead (5 miles north) and Broadfield (9 miles west).
Landmarks near Birchgrove
Other landmarks nearby include Heaven Farm Museum (2.3 miles south) and Waterbury Castle (1.7 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Brickfield Meadow.
Honest limits
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes about 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Older roofs in small places like Birchgrove can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it’s safe.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there’s access.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets in another room
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Getting a price
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before you book.
Advice
Questions from Birchgrove
Is my home in Birchgrove listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you cover Birchgrove?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Birchgrove is part of that. You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details.
What will the report tell me?
A written report with photos, covering the condition of the flat roof, the defects we found and what we recommend. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
How long is the visit?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take about 1–2 hours for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. The written report follows by email.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys run seven days a week. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Should I worry about standing water on my flat roof?
Ponding is worth looking into. It can point to blocked outlets, poor falls or a deck that is sagging, and water that sits wears the covering sooner. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
How many years has my flat roof got left?
A precise figure isn’t something we give, because it depends on upkeep, weather and how the roof was laid. Our report describes the condition and what needs doing, and when.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
What we are asked to look at in Birchgrove
Ponding keeps the covering wet and wears it faster. It normally comes from poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that has dipped. Leaves and silt from nearby trees can soon choke an outlet.
Look out for signs like these:
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Standing water left after rain
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Water getting in at rooflights
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Chelwood Gate Church, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Questions to ask before booking
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- What experience they bring
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
Also near Birchgrove
Also in Birchgrove
What happens if roof problems are left?
Caught early, a split or open seam in a flat roof is frequently a small repair. Leave it, and water can get into the insulation and deck, which can turn a patch into a replacement. Surveying it now tells you where you stand. In a small place like Birchgrove, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book with us
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Surveys seven days a week
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
See what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.