Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Hanover, Brighton and Hove
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings in Hanover, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
How a flat roof survey works in Hanover
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can be seen safely: on the roof where it is 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 can’t be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so the limits of the survey are clear. We survey upstands and outlets, mastic asphalt and EPDM rubber, and the problems we are asked to look at most are leaks around rooflights and splits and cracks in the covering.
Outbuildings, garden rooms and garages in places like Hanover often have flat roofs of their own. They’re rarely looked at until something gets wet. It is worth mentioning them when you book, so the visit can include them. Smaller roofs use the same coverings as bigger ones, from felt to rubber and GRP, and age in the same way.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Where
- Hanover (BN2, BN1, BN50)
- Region
- Brighton and Hove
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- Parts of the roof that aren’t safe to walk on or view
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will recommend the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we check
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
Tips from our surveys
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Limit foot traffic on the covering
- Note any new marks on ceilings beneath the roof
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. You might ask for work to be done before completion, or discuss the price, depending on the findings.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after any work that goes through it. You will spot changes early and have a record to look back on.
Common roof problems in Hanover
A buyer’s general survey often recommends a closer look at a flat roof. Building owners and managing agents book to plan maintenance, or before a sale or a new lease. In each case, the report gives a written, photographed record of the roof’s condition.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of the Annunciation, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether VAT is added on top
Local flat roofs in Hanover
The coast is about 1 mile or less from Hanover, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. The wider area around Hanover has a long history of building, with Royal Pavilion about 0.6 miles south-west. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
If you look after a building such as Elm Grove Primary School, ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season. For hotels and guest houses around Hanover, a roof problem found early is far less disruptive than one found by a guest.
Hanover is about 1 mile south of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. From houses to flats and shops in Hanover, we can survey the roof. Across Brighton and Hove, we cover Hanover and the places around it.
Flat roof surveys in BN2, BN1 and BN50 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Streets in the area include Elmore Road, London Road and Milton Road. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Brighton (1 mile north), Carlton Hill (1 mile south), West Hill (1 mile west), Seven Dials (1 mile west) and Kemptown (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Brighton and Hove (3 miles west), Aldrington (3 miles west), Hangleton (3 miles north-west), Patcham (3 miles north), Westdene (3 miles north-west) and Saltdean (4 miles south-east). Being one of Brighton and Hove’s larger places, Hanover has homes, rented property and businesses of every kind.
Near you in Hanover
Around Hanover, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Academy of Creative Training, Brighton Girls and The Dover Castle pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Brighton station, about 0.6 miles west of the centre. A little further out are Old Police Cells Museum (0.8 miles south-west) and Brighton General Hospital (0.6 miles east). Open spaces near Hanover include Whitehawk Hill and Newmarket Hill.
What we look for on each type of roof
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt roofs are common on older flats, walkways and commercial buildings. We look for crazing, cracks, blisters and splits at the skirtings.
Felt and built-up roofs
A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, though quality and upkeep make a big difference. Our report sets out its condition and the areas most at risk.
Common questions in Hanover
How do I find out if my home in Hanover is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Can you look at the flat roof of a hotel or office near Hanover?
Yes. As well as homes, we check flat roofs on offices, hotels, blocks of flats and commercial units. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for the building.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where it applies.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. Our survey is not a structural engineer’s report. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we’ll recommend one.
How long is the visit?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take about 1–2 hours at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. The written report follows by email.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Does the report include photos?
Yes, every report has them. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, which makes the report easy to follow.
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect about 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Some parts of a survey depend on the weather, so a visit to Hanover is booked with the forecast in mind: the parts that need calm, dry weather are planned around it.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We look at the roof from ground level, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
How to prepare
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Arrange a survey
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.