East Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Northiam, East Sussex
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Northiam? We carry out flat roof surveys in Northiam and across East Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
Flat roof survey in Northiam: what you get
Each flat roof is looked at from the safest viewpoints we have: 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 you know exactly what was covered. We survey EPDM rubber, mastic asphalt and upstands and outlets, and the problems we are asked to look at most are signs of deflection in the roof deck and pools of water lying on the roof.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Northiam take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Older felt roofs, often around 15–20 years in life, show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. Exposed edges are normally the first part of a flat roof to go.
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
- Northiam (TN31)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Single-ply membranes
Many offices, units and newer flats have a single-ply PVC or TPO roof. We check the welded laps, the edges, the fixings and any punctures.
GRP fibreglass
GRP can crack if the deck beneath flexes or if the resin was laid too thin. Our report notes cracks and any sign that the deck is flexing.
Towns and villages near Northiam
Other services in Northiam
Why act early in Northiam
Caught early, a split or open seam in a flat roof is often a small repair. Left alone, water can soak the insulation and the deck, and the job grows. A survey now shows which you are dealing with. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book with us
- 98% customer satisfaction
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Take a look at our cost guide or two real surveys.
The survey, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. The whole visit usually takes about 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. In a small place like Northiam, 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.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Leave a clear route to the loft
How to book
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Related advice
Northiam questions
How do I find out if my home in Northiam 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. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Northiam in the area you cover?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Northiam is part of that. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
What’s the best way to book?
To book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know the address and what you’d like to know. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and the report says if any part couldn’t be seen. Fragile surfaces are never walked on.
What happens next?
You will receive the report by email, and what you do next is up to you: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
We don’t give a fixed number of years, because so much depends on upkeep, exposure and workmanship. Our report describes the condition and what needs doing, and when.
How we price flat roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Booking your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The kind of building and roof involved
- What’s prompted the survey
- Anything about access we should know
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
Flat roofs in Northiam
Historic houses such as Great Dixter, about 0.5 miles west, show how far back building in the area around Northiam goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
Take a building like Northiam Church of England Primary School: ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Northiam is about 9 miles north of Hastings, in East Sussex. We visit Northiam as part of our work across East Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
We survey roofs across TN31 for flat roof surveys. We cover properties on Station Road, Main Street and Elizabeth Gardens. Northiam is on the A268, which makes it straightforward to reach. We also cover Beckley (2 miles south-east), Beckley Furnace (3 miles south), Broad Oak (3 miles south), Flackley Ash (3 miles east) and Broadland Row (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Hastings (9 miles south), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles south-west), St Leonards (10 miles south), Hastings Old Town (10 miles south), Belmont (10 miles south) and Heathfield (15 miles west).
What’s near Northiam
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Hayes Arms Hotel and the streets around them. A little further out are The C.M Booth Collection (4 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Flatropers Wood.
When you need someone else
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Northiam
- Upstands and outlets
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
Useful tips for Northiam property owners
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Check ceilings under the roof for damp patches
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
You can use the report to ask roofers to quote for the same work. With each roofer working from the same list, comparing quotes is simpler. It’s your choice who carries out the work and when.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after any work that goes through it. That catches changes early and builds up a record of the roof.