Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Great Thorness
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Great Thorness, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Cracked or split membrane
- Pools of water lying on the roof
Before and after the survey
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
- Check that new brackets or units haven’t damaged the covering
Once we’ve been, the findings are written up with photos. It covers the type of covering, its condition and each defect, with our recommendations. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Small defects are simpler to deal with while they’re still small. Prompt repairs tend to add years to a flat roof.
Flat roof survey in Great Thorness: what you get
Buying a home with a flat-roofed extension, dormer or garage? It helps to know that roof’s condition before you exchange. Many felt roofs need renewing after around 15 to 20 years, and EPDM and GRP often go on for longer. Our report records the covering, how it’s holding up and any defects we can see, with photographs of each. That gives you facts to raise with the seller or agent. Common reasons to book are outlets choked with leaves and silt and cracked or split membrane, across felt flat roofs, upstands and outlets and single-ply membranes.
Some older homes in villages like Great Thorness are listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. If you are planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Great Thorness (PO31)
- Wider area
- Isle of Wight
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the price in Great Thorness
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, access and the package you choose.
Getting in touch
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you get in touch, it is useful to mention:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
What we do, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photographs as we go and make notes for the report. It normally takes an hour or two for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. In a small place like Great Thorness, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We check the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or email us and give us a few details about the property and we will recommend the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
Do you need a flat roof survey in Great Thorness?
People go onto flat roofs for all sorts of reasons: cleaning windows, fitting aerials or air conditioning, or clearing gutters. A covering that wasn’t designed for foot traffic can crack or puncture. New brackets and fixings through the roof are another common source of leaks.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Leaks around rooflights
In and around Great Thorness, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
What to check before booking
- What exactly goes into their report
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Which limits apply to the survey
What we can’t see
A survey is a close look at the flat roof, but it can’t do everything. Its limits include:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
Local flat roofs in Great Thorness
Great Thorness is within about 1 mile of the coast, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. The wider area around Great Thorness has a long history of building, with Swainston Manor about 3 miles south. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Great Thorness is about 3 miles south-west of Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. Great Thorness is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and the South East. Our the Isle of Wight coverage includes Great Thorness and the places around it. Our Southampton page covers surveys nearby.
We work across the PO31 postcode area for flat roof surveys. If you’re just outside Great Thorness, we cover Porchfield (1 mile south-west), Locksgreen (1 mile south-west), Rew Street (2 miles north-east), Newtown (2 miles south-west) and Northwood (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Newport (3 miles south-east), Ryde (9 miles east), Cowes (3 miles north-east), Sandown (10 miles south-east), Shanklin (10 miles south-east) and Ventnor (11 miles south-east). Remote addresses need a little more planning, so let us know where you are when booking.
Landmarks near Great Thorness
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Sportsman's Rest pub and the streets around them. Nearby you will also find Carisbrooke Castle (3.5 miles south-east) and St Mary's Hospital (2.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Mill Hill.
Towns and villages near Great Thorness
More services for Great Thorness
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Great Thorness
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Great Thorness?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Will you come out to Great Thorness?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Will this cover the whole house?
No. It is a survey of the flat roof. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building, and it isn’t a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
Can you find where water is getting through my flat roof?
We check the whole roof, since water can travel before it shows inside. Every split, lap, upstand, outlet and rooflight we can see is looked at. If the cause can’t be seen, we will say so and suggest what would help.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Standing water on a flat roof deserves a closer look. It can point to blocked outlets, poor falls or a deck that is sagging, and water that sits wears the covering sooner. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Normally, if there is one and it can be reached safely. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that can’t be seen from outside.
When does the report arrive?
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.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.