East Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Chailey
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings in Chailey, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- A sagging deck under the covering
Useful tips for Chailey property owners
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Check that new brackets or units haven’t damaged the covering
For landlords and building managers, the report is a dated record of the roof’s condition. It is useful when planning upkeep and setting budgets, and it gives a baseline to compare against next time.
Keep outlets, gutters and hoppers clear, especially after the leaves fall. A flat roof that drains well wears much more slowly.
How a flat roof survey works in Chailey
Flat roofs deal with rain in a very different way from pitched ones. Water lies on the surface for longer, so a small split or a blocked outlet can soon lead to a leak. The surface, the falls, the upstands and the trims are all looked at closely, and we look for signs that water has reached the deck. The aim is to find problems before they show up as a stain on a ceiling. Typical surveys look at outlets that hold water back and upstands pulling away from walls, on EPDM rubber, felt flat roofs and GRP fibreglass.
Some older homes in villages like Chailey are 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. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Chailey (BN8)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Common questions in Chailey
Is Chailey within the area you cover?
Yes, Chailey is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
How do I find out if my home in Chailey is listed?
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.
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.
How much is a survey?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose, and it’s agreed before booking.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and they go into the written report.
How long will you be at the property?
It usually takes an hour or two at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. The report follows by email.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
Towns and villages near Chailey
More services for Chailey
What a flat roof survey does not cover
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- Fragile surfaces, which we don’t walk on
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
How the survey changes by roof type
Felt and built-up roofs
On felt, the upstands and edge details frequently fail before the main surface. Every upstand and edge is checked, with photos of any that have lifted or cracked.
Rooflights and upstands
We do not walk on rooflights or fragile sheeting, and we treat older rooflights as fragile. We view them from safe positions and photograph what we see.
Local flat roofs in Chailey
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so the council is the place to ask.
If you look after a building such as Chailey St Peter's Church of England 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 Plumpton station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Chailey is about 5 miles south-east of Haywards Heath, in East Sussex. We provide flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Chailey and nearby. Chailey is one of the places in East Sussex where we work. Brighton is in our area too.
We cover every part of the BN8 postcode area for flat roof surveys. We also cover the places around Chailey: North Chailey (1 mile north), South Street (1 mile south-west), Newick (1 mile north-east), Founthill (1 mile east) and South Chailey (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Seaford (14 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (10 miles north-east), Uckfield (5 miles east) and Newhaven (12 miles south).
Local landmarks in Chailey
We work in homes and buildings around Chailey School, The Five Bells Inn and Chailey Heritage School. The nearest railway station is Plumpton station, about 3.1 miles south-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Princess Royal Hospital (4.1 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Blackcap and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
Common roof problems in Chailey
A flat roof lies open to sun, rain and frost, and water drains off it slowly. In time, the covering dries out, cracks and loosens at its edges and laps. Most people book a survey after a leak, before buying, or when they think the roof is getting old.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Pools of water lying on the roof
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near The Parish Church of St Peter, 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 anyone
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Their insurance cover
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
What happens if roof problems are left?
Caught early, a split or open seam in a flat roof is frequently a small repair. Left alone, water can soak the insulation and the deck, and the job grows. Surveying it now tells you where you stand. In a place like Chailey, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why us?
- 20+ years’ experience
- Every finding written up with photos
- An independent view of the roof
- Surveys on any day of the week
See how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
What we do, step by step
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit normally takes about 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. For a village or hamlet like Chailey, the journey is planned beforehand: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- 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.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Keep pets in another room
Booking a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.