West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof before you spend money on it. Flat roof surveys in Goring-by-Sea, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Cracked or split membrane
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Pools of water lying on the roof
How the survey works
Photographs 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. A typical visit takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Goring-by-Sea, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there’s access.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk on fragile surfaces.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Booking a survey
When you are ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Related advice
Flat roof survey in Goring-by-Sea
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. Single-ply PVC and TPO roofs are checked at their welds, edges and fixings. Knowing what you have and how it is doing helps you plan what comes next. Common reasons to book are failed upstands where the roof meets a wall and water getting in at rooflights, across mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber and single-ply membranes.
Flat roofs in smaller places like Goring-by-Sea can be more exposed, particularly where nothing shelters them, so wind catches loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. The signs are splits, blisters and edges coming away, along with water that sits after rain. Standing water that lingers for days after rain is another sign worth watching for.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Goring-by-Sea (BN12, BN99, BN13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Do not go up yourself.
How we price flat roof surveys
Not every roof costs the same to survey, and it comes down to:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Roof area
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Booking your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Anything about access we should know
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What this survey cannot tell you
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Fragile surfaces, which we don’t walk on
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
Common roof problems in Goring-by-Sea
Flat roofs swing between hot and cold more than most parts of a building. This constant movement works at laps, seams and board joints, which can open splits and cracks over the years. Older coverings that have lost their flexibility are the most likely to suffer.
Common reasons to book include:
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Leaks around rooflights
- Cracked or split membrane
If you let a flat or house near Goring-By-Sea station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Before you book anyone
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Nearby places to Goring-by-Sea
Other services in Goring-by-Sea
Flat and commercial roofs around Goring-by-Sea
The coast is about 1 mile or less from Goring-by-Sea, so there’s more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
Take a building like Goring-By-Sea CofE (Aided) Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. With Ecclesden Manor about 2.3 miles north-west, the area around Goring-by-Sea has a long history. If your home is older, its flat-roofed extension or dormer may be on its second or third covering.
Goring-by-Sea is about 1 mile south-west of Worthing, in West Sussex. We cover Goring-by-Sea and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Goring-by-Sea is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for flat roof surveys. Brighton is in our area too.
We survey roofs across BN12, BN99 and BN13 for flat roof surveys. We cover properties on Sea Lane, Jupp's Lane and Goring Road. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Ferring (1 mile west), Hangleton (1 mile west), Kingston Gorse (2 miles west), Durrington (2 miles north) and West Kingston (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (12 miles west), Littlehampton (5 miles west), Shoreham-by-Sea (7 miles east), Lancing (5 miles east), Rustington (4 miles west) and Storrington (8 miles north).
Near you in Goring-by-Sea
Typical jobs here are in homes near Durrington Minature Railway, Chatsmore Catholic High School and Worthing College and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Goring-By-Sea station, roughly 0.5 miles north-west. Other landmarks nearby include Museum of Sussex Folklore (1.6 miles north-east) and The Acre (1.8 miles east). Not far away are Highdown Hill.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Goring-by-Sea
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Goring-by-Sea
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Goring-by-Sea?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is the coastal weather around Goring-by-Sea hard on roofs?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it typically shows, and Goring-by-Sea is within about 1 mile of the coast.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
We don’t 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.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It is included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where it applies, the Premium Survey.
How soon will I get the report?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. All of them come by email, ready to forward.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How do I arrange a flat roof survey in Goring-by-Sea?
It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we will take it from there. We survey on any day of the week.