East Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Forest Row
Find out the condition of the flat roof at your property in Forest Row from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Cracked or split membrane
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
Surveys for landlords and agents in Forest Row
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Forest Row. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or email us.
About our flat roof survey in Forest Row
Each type of flat roof has its own weak points. Built-up felt tends to blister and crack, asphalt crazes and splits, EPDM can lift at its laps, and GRP can crack at board joints and edge trims. On PVC and TPO single-ply roofs, we look closely at the welded laps, edges and fixings. Once you know the covering and its condition, planning the next step is far easier. Typical surveys look at loose or cracked edge trims and blistering in felt or asphalt, across EPDM rubber, single-ply membranes and upstands and outlets.
Flat roofs in smaller places like Forest Row can be more exposed, particularly where nothing shelters them, where wind can catch loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. Splits, blisters and lifting edges are what to look out for, along with water that sits after rain. Standing water that lingers for days after rain is another sign worth watching for.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Forest Row (RH18)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we are asked to look at in Forest Row
The surface of a flat roof heats up and cools down far more than the rooms below. This constant movement works at laps, seams and board joints, and in time it can open up splits and cracks. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.
We are often asked to look at:
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
Anyone responsible for a site like Forest Row Church of England Primary School will know that ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What the survey will not cover
- What experience they bring
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
What a flat roof survey looks like in Forest Row
The wider area around Forest Row has a long history of building, with Standen about 2.3 miles west. 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. 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 plenty of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity: the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems usually start. For landlords with property near East Grinstead station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Forest Row is about 3 miles south-east of East Grinstead, in East Sussex. Roofs in Forest Row get the same thorough look as anywhere else in East Sussex. Forest Row is one of the places in East Sussex where we work for flat roof surveys. You can also see our page for Crawley.
Flat roof surveys in RH18 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We offer flat roof surveys to properties on Evelyn Clark Square, Station Road and London Road and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Forest Row: Coleman's Hatch (1 mile east), Wych Cross (2 miles south), Upper Hartfield (2 miles east), Chelwood Gate (3 miles south) and Birchgrove (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Lewes (15 miles south), Crowborough (6 miles south-east), Uckfield (9 miles south), South Malling (15 miles south), Heathfield (13 miles south-east) and Southover (15 miles south).
Near you in Forest Row
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Foresters Arms and Greenfields School. The closest station to Forest Row is East Grinstead station, roughly 3.2 miles north-west. Well-known places in the area include East Grinstead Museum (2.8 miles north-west) and Bolebroke Castle (3.6 miles north-east).
How the survey works
Once we’ve finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photos, sent to you by email. As for time on site, 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. A visit to a smaller place like Forest Row is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. It’s useful to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there is access.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
Getting a price
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Related advice
Towns and villages near Forest Row
More services for Forest Row
FAQs for Forest Row
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Forest Row?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Forest Row?
Yes, Forest Row is within the area we cover. We work right across London and the South East. Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
We inspect from wherever is safe: the roof itself where that is safe, plus windows, vantage points and the rooms below. We never walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
How experienced are you?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, inc. VAT.
What happens next?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
How soon will I get the report?
That depends on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. The report is emailed to you.
Different roofs, different checks
EPDM rubber
EPDM often lasts 30 to 50 years, but it relies on its seams, trims and upstands being well finished. Those details are where we focus.
Felt and built-up roofs
Many extensions, garages and dormers have a felt roof laid in layers. The survey checks for blisters, cracks, open laps and bare patches where the surfacing has worn.
What affects the cost of flat roof surveys
We confirm the exact price before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The roof’s overall size
- The shape of the roof and its details
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What we need to know
There’s no need for technical words. It is enough to tell us:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- What made you get in touch
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know where you stand. Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
DIY checks: what’s safe
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.