East Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Chiddingly
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings in Chiddingly, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
What we are asked to look at in Chiddingly
Flat roofs take the full force of the weather on a surface that drains 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.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed something like this:
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Standing water left after rain
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
For landlords with property near Berwick (Sussex) station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Before booking anyone
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Their report turnaround times
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
About our flat roof survey in Chiddingly
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can safely be seen: from the roof itself where that’s safe, from windows and nearby vantage points, and from inside where there’s access. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or fragile roof sheeting. Where any area cannot be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so the limits of the survey are clear. We survey EPDM rubber, single-ply membranes and GRP fibreglass, and people most often book us about upstands pulling away from walls and edge trims that have lifted or split.
Some older homes in villages like Chiddingly 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. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Place
- Chiddingly (BN8)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. In a hamlet or village like Chiddingly, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
Booking a survey
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Advice
Honest limits
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- Testing older roof sheets for asbestos
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
Roof by roof
Rooflights and upstands
Where a flat roof meets a wall, the upstand has to stay sealed as the building moves. We look for splits, gaps and failed flashings over the top.
Mastic asphalt
With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. We note where this is happening and how widespread it looks.
What a flat roof survey looks like in Chiddingly
Historic houses like Horselunges Manor, about 2.7 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Chiddingly goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. 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. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
Anyone responsible for a site like Chiddingly Primary School will know that ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season. If you live in an older home near The Parish 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.
Chiddingly is about 4 miles north-west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. We provide flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Chiddingly and the surrounding area. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton.
All of BN8 is covered for flat roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Whitesmith (1 mile west), East Hoathly (2 miles north-west), Halland (3 miles north-west), Shortgate (3 miles west) and Blackboys (4 miles north). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (9 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (13 miles east), Seaford (10 miles south), Lewes (8 miles west), Hailsham (4 miles south-east) and Crowborough (10 miles north).
Local landmarks in Chiddingly
We work in homes and buildings around The Six Bells Public House, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 4.7 miles south of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Sussex Farm Museum (2.8 miles north-east) and Tickerage Castle (4.8 miles north-west). The countryside around Chiddingly includes Selwyns Wood.
Chiddingly: your questions answered
Is Chiddingly within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Chiddingly?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Do you check flat roofs for asbestos?
We do not test for asbestos. Where a roof has materials that might contain asbestos, such as old cement sheeting, the report flags them so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check them.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
We do not give a fixed number of years, because it depends on upkeep, weather and how the roof was laid. Our report describes the condition and what needs doing, and when.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Where it is safe, the roof is inspected from the roof itself. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
Does someone need to be in?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Is ponding on a flat roof a problem?
Water that lies on a flat roof for days is a sign that something needs attention. It could be the outlets, the falls or a deflecting deck. The survey looks at each and records the likely cause.
Towns and villages near Chiddingly
Other services in Chiddingly
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
- Note any new marks on ceilings beneath the roof
- Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
- Note where water lies after a downpour
Landlords, owners and managing agents can keep the report as a dated record of the roof. It helps when planning maintenance budgets, and it makes changes easy to spot at the next survey.
Small defects are simpler to deal with while they’re still small. A flat roof that’s looked after between surveys typically lasts longer.