West Sussex · London and the South East
Blackstone Flat Roof Survey
We take a careful look at the flat roof at your property in Blackstone, with photographs and a written report.
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Standing water left after rain
Flat roof surveys in Blackstone: local notes
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
For an older house near a landmark such as The Parish Church of St Bartholomew, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Blackstone is about 5 miles west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Whether the building in Blackstone is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Blackstone is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for flat roof surveys. There is also a page for Brighton.
Here we cover the BN5 postcode area for flat roof surveys. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Blackstone Lane and Blackstone Street or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Blackstone include Woodmancote (1 mile south-west), High Cross (1 mile north-east), Albourne (1 mile east), Albourne Street (1 mile east) and Albourne Green (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (13 miles north), Horsham (10 miles north), Worthing (10 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (8 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (5 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).
What’s near Blackstone
For rail, the closest station is Hassocks station, roughly 3.9 miles east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include The Dene Hospital (3.8 miles north-east) and The Budding Foundation Museum of Gardening (3.6 miles east). Open spaces near Blackstone include Woods Mill and Wolstonbury Hill.
Flat roof survey in Blackstone
If the house you’re buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it is 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. We set out the type of covering, its condition and the defects we found, with photos of each. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. We survey felt flat roofs, GRP fibreglass and single-ply membranes, and common reasons people get in touch are splits, cracks and crazing and outlets that hold water back.
Somewhere as small as Blackstone, flat roofs tend to be on extensions, garages and converted outbuildings. They need the same care as any town roof: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. We simply plan the journey and access ahead of time. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them when you book.
After the visit, you get a report with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the flat roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Place
- Blackstone (BN5)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to Blackstone
What else we do in Blackstone
The survey, step by step
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. In a hamlet or village like Blackstone, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start with the details: the address, the roof’s use and any leaks or stains.
- The roof is inspected from safe viewpoints, and from the roof itself where that is safe.
- The covering, falls, upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where we can reach them.
- We send a written report with photos, the defects we found and what we recommend.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Booking a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
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Blackstone questions
Do you cover Blackstone?
Yes, Blackstone is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
How do I find out if my home in Blackstone is listed?
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, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photographs and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
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.
Do you cover flat roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. We survey flat roofs on commercial buildings as well as homes. A commercial roof usually takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it’s large or complex, and larger roofs are quoted for their size.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. In high wind or heavy rain, a drone cannot fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Blackstone
Flat roofs often get walked on for other jobs: to clean windows, fit aerials or air conditioning units, or reach a gutter. Each visit can damage a covering not made for regular foot traffic. Fixings added through the covering often start leaks too.
We’re frequently asked to look at:
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Cracked or split membrane
Landlords with a home close to Hassocks station may find that flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
What to check before booking
- What happens after the report arrives
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
How the survey changes by roof type
GRP fibreglass
Movement in the deck or a thin layer of resin can lead to cracks in GRP. Our report notes cracks and any sign that the deck is flexing.
Felt and built-up roofs
Felt roofs frequently last around 15 to 20 years, depending on how they were laid and looked after. We record how yours is doing and where it’s weakest.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Why get it checked now?
A survey can show whether a whole new roof is needed or whether the problems are in a few places. At times the trouble is a handful of failed details, and at times the whole covering is worn. The report sets out what we found, so you can make that decision with a roofer. In a place like Blackstone, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book us in Blackstone
- Clear package prices, inc. VAT
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.