Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Not sure what state the flat roof is in? We carry out flat roof surveys in East Cowes and across the Isle of Wight, with plain-English findings.
- Outlets that hold water back
- Standing water left after rain
- Leaks around rooflights
Flat roof survey in East Cowes: what you get
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can be seen safely: on the roof where it’s safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. Where any area cannot be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so the limits of the survey are clear. We survey mastic asphalt, GRP fibreglass and EPDM rubber, and common reasons people get in touch are pools of water lying on the roof and dips that suggest the deck is deflecting.
In smaller places like East Cowes, flat roofs are mostly on extensions, garages, porches and dormers. They’re small, but a leak over a kitchen extension can do a lot of harm. What it’s covered in, and how well it was laid, decides what it needs, from felt and asphalt to EPDM rubber and GRP. From an upstairs window, look for standing water, splits and edges coming away.
The report doesn’t just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Location
- East Cowes (PO32)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Note any new marks on ceilings beneath the roof
- Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
The report is emailed to you, ready to share with a roofer, the seller or a managing agent. It is written in plain English, with a photograph of each defect, so anyone reading it can see what we saw.
After heavy rain, look at the roof from an upstairs window if you can. If water is still there a day or two later, have it checked.
Also near East Cowes
Other services in East Cowes
What we do, step by step
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the loft space if there’s safe access. All told, expect about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Parking around East Cowes is usually easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from ground level, and the loft shows the rest, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- First you give us the address, what the roof covers and any leaks you’ve noticed.
- The roof is inspected from safe viewpoints, and from the roof itself where that is safe.
- We check and photograph the covering, the falls, the upstands, the outlets, the trims and any rooflights.
- Inside, we look for damp and staining under the roof where there’s access.
- The findings are written up with photos and recommendations and emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Check we can get to the back of the property
Booking a survey
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
What this survey cannot tell you
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:
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in East Cowes
- EPDM rubber
- Mastic asphalt
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
Signs you need a flat roof survey in East Cowes
The details are often where a flat roof lets go first. Upstands, edge trims, outlets and the kerbs around rooflights move and weather differently from the rest of the roof. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re often the first things to fail.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Ponding water that does not drain away
Take a building like Isle of Wight Studio School: schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Are they insured for the work?
- Their report turnaround times
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Is VAT included in the price?
FAQs for East Cowes
Does being near the coast affect roofs in East Cowes?
Often, yes. East Cowes is within about 2 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Is East Cowes within the area you cover?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
How long will you be at the property?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof, but most surveys take about one to two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report, so you can see each point for yourself.
What happens after the survey?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
How many years has my flat roof got left?
We do not put a figure on it. As a guide, felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM often 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but your report describes the actual condition.
Flat roofs in East Cowes
East Cowes is within about 2 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. With Osborne House about 0.6 miles east, East Cowes sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For an older house near a landmark such as St James's 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.
East Cowes is about 4 miles north of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We carry out flat roof surveys in East Cowes for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. East Cowes is one of the towns and villages in the Isle of Wight where we work. We also survey roofs in Portsmouth.
Postcode districts we cover here for flat roof surveys: PO32. You’ll find streets such as Connaught Road, Orchard Road and Princess Close, all of which we cover. Being close to the A3021 and B3321, East Cowes is easy for us to reach for flat roof surveys. If you’re just outside East Cowes, we cover Whippingham (1 mile south-east), Wootton (3 miles south-east), Fairlee (3 miles south), Hillgrove (3 miles south-east) and Fishbourne (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Newport (4 miles south), Ryde (6 miles east), Sandown (9 miles south-east), Shanklin (10 miles south-east), Ventnor (11 miles south) and Oakfield (6 miles east). East Cowes is one of the larger places we cover in the Isle of Wight. For harder-to-reach addresses, the survey takes a little more planning.
Near you in East Cowes
Around East Cowes, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Prince of Wales pub and the streets around them. A little further out are Sir Max Aitken Museum (1 mile north-west) and East Cowes Castle (0.9 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Briddlesford Nature Reserve and Mill Hill.
What a survey costs
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can be seen safely and the package you choose.
What we need to know
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- The address and postcode of the property
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Caught early, a split or open seam in a flat roof is often a small repair. Leave it, and water can get into the insulation and deck, which can turn a patch into a replacement. A survey now shows which you’re dealing with. In an older home around East Cowes, water from a roof defect can get into timber and plaster, and that is a much bigger job than the original defect.
All our prices include VAT. Prices start from £150, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Why book with us
- Over 20 years’ experience
- A report with photos
- PI and public liability insurance
- Visits on any day of the week