West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Saddlescombe
Independent flat roof surveys in Saddlescombe. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Leaks around rooflights
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Ponding water that does not drain away
How a flat roof survey works in Saddlescombe
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can be seen safely: from the roof itself where that’s safe, from windows and nearby vantage points, and from inside where there’s access. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. If part of the roof cannot be seen or reached safely, the report says so, so the limits of the survey are clear. If you’ve noticed splits and cracks in the covering and standing water left after rain, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Saddlescombe take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
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.
- Location
- Saddlescombe (BN45)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Flat roof surveys around Saddlescombe
Saddlescombe is within about 4 miles of the coast, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Next to the main roofs there is normally a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Portslade Manor, about 3.3 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Saddlescombe. Older houses nearby often have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof. If you own a rental within reach of Hassocks station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near The Church of the Holy Trinity, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Saddlescombe is about 4 miles north of Brighton and Hove, in West Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Saddlescombe can all book flat roof surveys. Saddlescombe is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover.
Flat roof surveys in BN45 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you are just outside Saddlescombe, we cover Pyecombe (1 mile north-east), Waterhall (2 miles south-east), Westdene (2 miles south-east), Patcham (3 miles south-east) and West Blatchington (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (15 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Worthing (10 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (9 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (6 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (5 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Saddlescombe
In Saddlescombe, that means homes and buildings near Waterhall and Royal Oak pub and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Hassocks station, about 3.2 miles north-east of the centre. A little further out are Montefiore Hospital (4.3 miles south-east) and Clayton Castle (2.5 miles north-east). The countryside around Saddlescombe includes Wolstonbury Hill and Ladies Mile.
Places near Saddlescombe
What else we do in Saddlescombe
Different roofs, different checks
EPDM rubber
EPDM frequently lasts 30 to 50 years, but it relies on its seams, trims and upstands being well finished. Those details are where we focus.
Felt and built-up roofs
Many extensions, garages and dormers have a felt roof laid in layers. We look for blistering, cracking, split laps and worn mineral surfacing.
What happens on the day
We don’t take risks to get a closer look. We inspect whatever is safely visible, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. Most visits take between one and two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Rural addresses near Saddlescombe can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We start with the details: the address, the roof’s use and any leaks or stains.
- We check the roof from wherever it can safely be seen.
- Every part of the roof we can see is looked at: covering, falls, upstands, outlets, trims and rooflights.
- Inside, we look for damp and staining under the roof where there is access.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and our recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
How to book
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Landlords, agents and block managers in Saddlescombe
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
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 will plan the visit with that in mind.
How we price flat roof surveys
To price your survey, we check:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Which survey package you book
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The roof’s overall size
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Helping us price your survey
Before you get in touch, it is useful to have:
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
To get a price for flat roof surveys in Saddlescombe, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.
Questions from Saddlescombe
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Saddlescombe?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Saddlescombe, take more of a battering?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Does a flat roof survey replace a RICS survey?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 home survey or a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days when booking.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, and 98% of customers are satisfied.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
A precise figure is not something we give, because so much depends on upkeep, exposure and workmanship. Our report describes the condition and what needs doing, and when.
Are you insured?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Can I check my roof myself?
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
Before and after the survey
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Look for standing water a day after rain
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
For landlords and building managers, the report is a dated record of the roof’s condition. It helps when planning maintenance budgets, and it makes changes easy to spot at the next survey.
Keep foot traffic on a flat roof to a minimum. If access is needed, boards or walkways help protect the covering, and remind them never to step on rooflights or fragile sheets.