Hampshire · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Houghton, Hampshire
Not sure what state the flat roof is in? You can book a flat roof survey in Houghton and across Hampshire, with plain-English findings.
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Upstands pulling away from walls
About our flat roof survey in Houghton
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can safely be seen: on the roof where it is safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or fragile roof sheeting. Where any area cannot be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so the limits of the survey are clear. Typical surveys look at outlets that hold water back and failed upstands where the roof meets a wall, across EPDM rubber, upstands and outlets and single-ply membranes.
Some older homes in villages like Houghton are listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. If you are planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Location
- Houghton (SO20)
- Region
- Hampshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Houghton
Ponding keeps the covering wet and wears it faster. Blocked outlets, poor falls and a sagging deck are the usual causes. Leaves and silt from nearby trees can soon choke an outlet.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Pools of water lying on the roof
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near Church of All Saints, later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear.
Questions to ask before you book
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Their track record with similar roofs
Flat and commercial roofs around Houghton
About 3.2 miles south lies Mottisfont Abbey, a reminder of how long the area around Houghton has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs. Thatch survives on some older buildings in Hampshire’s villages. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
If you look after a building like Test Valley School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. Landlords with a home close to Mottisfont & Dunbridge station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Houghton is about 6 miles north of Romsey, in Hampshire. We survey roofs in Houghton and the rest of Hampshire, as part of our work across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Hampshire, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our Southampton page.
Postcode districts we cover here for flat roof surveys: SO20. That includes homes and businesses on Kents Orchard, Houghton Farm Close and Stevens Drove. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Horsebridge (1 mile south-east), Broughton (2 miles west), Stonymarsh (3 miles south), Mottisfont (3 miles south) and Michelmersh (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Winchester (9 miles east), Eastleigh (11 miles south-east), Andover (9 miles north), Totton (12 miles south), Chandler's Ford (9 miles south-east) and Hedge End (15 miles south-east).
What’s near Houghton
We work in homes and buildings around The Boot Inn. Houghton’s nearest station is Mottisfont & Dunbridge station, roughly 3.8 miles south.
How the survey works
The visit has one job: to look at the flat roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit normally takes an hour or two for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Houghton often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You tell us about the roof, its covering if you know it, and any leaks.
- We view the roof from the ground, from windows and from the roof where it’s safe to do so.
- The covering, falls, upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- Inside, we look for damp and staining under the roof where there’s access.
- We send a written report with photos, the defects we found and what we recommend.
How to prepare
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Getting a price
When you are ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Most flat roofs are out of sight, so they’re easy to forget. Owners frequently learn the roof is at the end of its life only when it leaks. Regular surveys mean it won’t come as a surprise. Outbuildings and barns around Houghton are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
What you get with us
- Prices that include VAT
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
Read our cost guide and two real surveys.
Also near Houghton
More services for Houghton
Surveys for landlords and agents in Houghton
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed ahead of time. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Tell us about it when you book and we’ll plan the survey around it.
How the survey changes by roof type
Felt and built-up roofs
Built-up felt is one of the most common flat roof coverings on extensions, garages and dormers. The survey checks for blisters, cracks, open laps and bare patches where the surfacing has worn.
GRP fibreglass
A GRP fibreglass roof is a hard, resin-bonded surface over a timber deck. We look for cracks at board joints, around trims and at upstands.
What you can safely check yourself
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
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.
Houghton questions
Do you cover Houghton?
Yes. We work right across London and the South East, and Houghton is part of that. Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Houghton is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
How many years has my flat roof got left?
There’s no honest way to give an exact number of years. As a guide, felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM often 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but the report tells you how your roof is really doing.
Can you test old roof sheets for asbestos?
Our survey does not include asbestos testing. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, for example in cement roof sheets. We note anything that could contain it, and a specialist asbestos surveyor should check it before it’s disturbed.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
Will this cover the whole house?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building, and it isn’t a structural engineer’s report. It frequently sits alongside a buyer’s building survey.
What’s the best way to book?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and find a day that suits.