East Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Brightling
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings across Brightling, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Call or email for a price.
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
How a flat roof survey works in Brightling
Our flat roof survey checks the waterproof covering and every detail around it, from edges and upstands to outlets and rooflights. We cover felt, mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply roofs. It suits a small roof over an extension or garage as well as a large one over flats, offices or units. You get a written report with photos and our recommendations. If you’re worried about leaks around rooflights and signs of deflection in the roof deck, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like Brightling may be listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. 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. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly.
- Location
- Brightling (TN32)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
GRP fibreglass
A well-laid GRP roof often lasts up to about 30 years. Cracking where boards meet or where the deck moves is a common early sign of trouble.
Felt and built-up roofs
A felt roof frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, though quality and upkeep make a big difference. We record how yours is doing and where it’s weakest.
What happens on the day
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, inspect the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. In a small place like Brightling, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We look at the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, comes to you by email.
How to prepare
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Getting a price
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
Related advice
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
After the visit, we write up the report with photos of what we found. It explains the covering, its condition and every defect, and what we recommend. Turnaround is within 48 hours for a Basic Survey, 24 to 48 hours for a Standard Survey and the same day for a Premium Survey.
Book a survey every few years, and again after new fixings, units or rooflights go in. You will spot changes early and have a record to look back on.
For landlords and managing agents
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Questions from Brightling
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Brightling?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you cover Brightling?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Brightling is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details.
Do you go up onto the roof?
Where it is safe, the roof is inspected from the roof itself. Otherwise we use windows, vantage points and the spaces below, and we note any area we couldn’t see. Fragile surfaces are never walked on.
Can you find where water is getting through my flat roof?
The survey covers the covering and all the details where leaks typically begin, and photograph anything that could be letting water in. Where the source is not obvious, a roof leak investigation or electronic leak detection may be the next step.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take about 1–2 hours for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it does not include calculations. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we’ll recommend one.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
Flat and commercial roofs around Brightling
In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. The wider area around Brightling has a long history of building, with Bateman's about 1.9 miles north-west. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you own a rental within reach of Robertsbridge station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Brightling is about 9 miles north of Bexhill-on-Sea, in East Sussex. In Brightling, as across East Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Across East Sussex, we cover Brightling and the places around it. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
Flat roof surveys in TN32 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on The Street and Rectory Hill or a nearby road, we can help. Other places close to Brightling include Hollingrove (1 mile east), Twelve Oaks (1 mile south), Oxley's Green (1 mile north-east), Netherfield (3 miles south-east) and Penhurst (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (13 miles south), Hastings (10 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (9 miles south), Hailsham (9 miles south-west), Crowborough (12 miles north-west) and St Leonards (10 miles south-east).
Around Brightling
Brightling’s nearest station is Robertsbridge station, roughly 3.3 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Old Castle (2.3 miles south-west) and Ticehurst House Hospital (5.9 miles north).
Also near Brightling
More services for Brightling
What we are asked to look at in Brightling
No flat roof covering lasts for ever. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, EPDM frequently 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30, although how well it was laid and looked after matters a great deal. A survey shows how yours is holding up, whatever its age.
Problems we come across often include:
- Raised blisters across the surface
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
- Upstands pulling away from walls
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Thomas A Becket: any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- What experience they bring
- Which limits apply to the survey
- What exactly goes into their report
Checking the roof from ground level
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.