West Sussex · London and the South East
Runcton Flat Roof Survey
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Runcton and the rest of West Sussex. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Leaks around rooflights
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
About our flat roof survey in Runcton
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can safely be seen: on the roof where it’s 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 can’t be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so you know exactly what was covered. Typical surveys look at ponding water that doesn’t drain away and signs of deflection in the roof deck, across felt flat roofs, EPDM rubber and mastic asphalt.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Runcton take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, normally show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. Exposed edges are usually the first part of a flat roof to go.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Where
- Runcton (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Do not go up yourself.
Towns and villages near Runcton
More services for Runcton
Questions from Runcton
Will you come out to Runcton?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Runcton, take more of a battering?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there’s more wind, and more salt in the air. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
We don’t put a figure on it. As a guide, felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM frequently 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but the report tells you how your roof is really doing.
Do you survey commercial flat roofs?
Yes. We survey flat roofs on commercial buildings as well as homes. A commercial roof normally takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it’s large or complex, and larger roofs are quoted for their size.
Will the survey show why my flat roof is leaking?
Our survey looks across the whole roof, not only above the stain. Every split, lap, upstand, outlet and rooflight we can see is checked. Where nothing visible explains the leak, the report says what to try next.
Should I worry about standing water on my flat roof?
Standing water a day or two after rain normally needs attention. The cause may be the outlets, the falls or the deck. The survey looks at each and records the likely cause.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
We inspect from wherever is safe: on the roof where it is safe, and from windows, nearby vantage points and inside. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on.
Practical tips
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Keep people off the roof unless they need to be there
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
Questions about the findings are always welcome. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one, so you can talk the findings through.
Keep foot traffic on a flat roof to a minimum. Where someone does need access, ask them to use boards or a protected route, and to keep well clear of rooflights and fragile sheeting.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Waiting for a stain inside means the water has already got through the layers. We can pick up worn covering and failing details sooner, while there’s still time to plan the work. Older and listed buildings around Runcton may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Runcton
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- PI and public liability insurance
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
What a flat roof survey does not cover
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will recommend the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Runcton
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes about 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Cottages and farmhouses around Runcton often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
How to prepare
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Advice
Flat roof surveys around Runcton
Runcton is within about 3 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Next to the main roofs there is usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Landlords with a home close to Chichester station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. For an older house near a landmark such as The Parish Church of St Stephen, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems normally start. If you look after a building such as North Mundham Primary School, ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Runcton is about 2 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Whether the building in Runcton is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, large and small. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for flat roof surveys: PO20. Streets in the area include Goodwood Gardens, Brookside and Lagness Road. If you are just outside Runcton, we cover North Mundham (1 mile west), Merston (1 mile north-east), Lagness (1 mile south-east), Hunston (1 mile west) and Portfield (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east), Emsworth (9 miles west) and Rustington (10 miles east).
Near you in Runcton
Typical jobs here are in homes near Chichester High School For Girls and the streets around them. Runcton’s nearest station is Chichester station, roughly 1.9 miles north-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Chichester Castle (2.1 miles north-west) and The Chichester City Museum (2 miles north-west).
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- The roof’s overall size
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Getting in touch
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The property’s address and postcode
- What kind of property and roof it is
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.