Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Brighton and Hove Flat Roof Survey
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Brighton and Hove? We carry out flat roof surveys in Brighton and Hove, with plain-English findings.
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Standing water left after rain
Flat roof survey in Brighton and Hove
If the house you’re 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 often go on for longer. We set out the type of covering, its condition and the defects we found, with photographs of each. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. We’re frequently asked to look into cracked or split membrane and water getting in at rooflights, on single-ply membranes, mastic asphalt and felt flat roofs.
Shops, surgeries, schools and small business units in towns like Brighton and Hove often have flat roofs. Out of sight, they tend to be forgotten until a leak appears, and by then the insulation underneath may be wet. A careful look at outlets, upstands and the membrane itself shows where it stands. If someone else manages the building, let us know so roof access can be arranged.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Location
- Brighton and Hove (BN3, BN41, BN1)
- Region
- Brighton and Hove
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What a flat roof survey looks like in Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. The wider area around Brighton and Hove has a long history of building, with Portslade Manor about 1.3 miles west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Take an older house close to Holy Cross Church: later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear. For businesses in and around places such as Churchill Square, flat roofs over shops and units are easy to forget until water comes through a ceiling.
Brighton and Hove is in England. We cover Brighton and Hove. Our area takes in places right across the surrounding area.
All of BN3, BN41 and BN1 is covered for flat roof surveys. Local streets include New Church Road, Princes Square and Station Road. Brighton and Hove sits on or near the A270 and A293. Close by, we survey roofs in Aldrington (1 mile south-west), West Blatchington (1 mile north-east), Hove (1 mile south-east), Prestonville (2 miles east) and Brunswick (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Brighton (3 miles east), Carlton Hill (3 miles east), Hanover (3 miles east), Kemptown (3 miles south-east), Hollingdean (3 miles east) and Whitehawk (4 miles east).
What’s near Brighton and Hove
Around Brighton and Hove, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Hove Park, The Drive Prep School and Hove Park School and the streets around them. There’s a railway station in Brighton and Hove itself: Aldrington station. Other landmarks nearby include British Engineerium (0.7 miles north-east) and Churchill Square (2.1 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Thundersbarrow Hill and Ladies Mile.
Nearby places to Brighton and Hove
Other services in Brighton and Hove
Landlords, agents and block managers in Brighton and Hove
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client, photos included.
Do you need a flat roof survey in Brighton and Hove?
Ponding keeps the covering wet and wears it faster. Blocked outlets, poor falls and a sagging deck are the usual causes. Leaves and silt from nearby trees can soon choke an outlet.
People normally book a survey when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Standing water left after rain
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
If you own a rental within reach of Aldrington station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What follow-up you get after the report
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether the price includes VAT
- What the survey won’t cover
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the roof space if there is safe access. In total, it takes about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. For a visit in Brighton and Hove, we need access to the loft, any rooms with leaks or stains, and the outside of the building. If there is a side gate or a rear garden, let us know how to reach it. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Before we arrive
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Getting a price
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Advice
Different roofs, different checks
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs can last up to about 30 years when they’re laid well. Hairline cracks over board joints are an early warning we look out for.
EPDM rubber
An EPDM rubber roof is usually one large sheet, bonded to the deck. The survey looks at laps, edge trims, corners and signs of puncture.
Common questions in Brighton and Hove
Is my home in Brighton and Hove listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Brighton and Hove?
Yes. We work right across London and the South East, and Brighton and Hove is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes. Photos are part of every report.
Is a flat roof survey the same as a building survey?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 home survey or a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
Do you look for flat roof leaks?
We check the whole roof, since water can travel before it shows inside. Every split, lap, upstand, outlet and rooflight we can see is looked at. Where nothing visible explains the leak, the report says what to try next.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
What will the report tell me?
Written findings with photographs, explaining the condition of the flat roof, any defects and our recommendations, in order of urgency where relevant. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
What you can safely check yourself
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
How we price flat roof surveys
We confirm the exact price before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, from £400 including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
What to let us know when you contact us
When you call or email, these details help:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
When you’re ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.