East Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Shortgate
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Shortgate, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
About our flat roof survey in Shortgate
Our Basic Survey, from £150, gives you a visual inspection with photos and written recommendations. For moisture detection and a structural check, the Standard Survey starts from £250. Moisture readings are useful on flat roofs, where water can spread under the covering before it shows inside. Bigger commercial roofs are priced on their size and access. We are frequently asked to look into ponding water that doesn’t drain away and loose or cracked edge trims, across GRP fibreglass, mastic asphalt and EPDM rubber.
Older buildings in small places like Shortgate may be listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. Check with the council before planning any change of material. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Shortgate (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. All in, the survey usually takes about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. For a village or hamlet like Shortgate, the journey is planned in advance: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- You tell us about the roof, its covering if you know it, and any leaks.
- We check the roof from wherever it can safely be seen.
- 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 is access.
- We send a written report with photos, the defects we found and what we recommend.
Before the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Let us know about parking near the property
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Related advice
Towns and villages near Shortgate
What else we do in Shortgate
What we cannot see
A survey is a proper look at the flat roof, but it can’t do everything. The main limits are:
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- Testing older roof sheets for asbestos
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
Useful tips for Shortgate property owners
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Limit foot traffic on the covering
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
Many people send the report to two or three roofers for quotes. With each roofer working from the same list, comparing quotes is simpler. It is your choice who carries out the work and when.
Keep outlets, gutters and hoppers clear, especially after the leaves fall. A flat roof that drains well wears much more slowly.
DIY checks: what’s safe
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Flat roof surveys in Shortgate: local notes
About 3.5 miles south-west lies Glyndebourne, a reminder of how long the area around Shortgate has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. 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.
Shortgate is about 4 miles south of Uckfield, in East Sussex. We cover Shortgate and the rest of East Sussex. Our area takes in places right across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
We cover every part of the BN8 postcode area for flat roof surveys and the streets around it. Other places close to Shortgate include Halland (1 mile north-east), East Hoathly (2 miles east), Whitesmith (2 miles east), Chiddingly (3 miles east) and Framfield (4 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (12 miles south-east), Seaford (10 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south-west), Hailsham (7 miles south-east), Crowborough (10 miles north) and Newhaven (9 miles south).
Local landmarks in Shortgate
The closest station to Shortgate is Uckfield station, about 3.9 miles north of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Uckfield Community Hospital (3.6 miles north) and Tickerage Castle (4.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cliffe Hill and Malling Down.
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Shortgate
Many flat roof problems start at the details rather than the main surface. Upstands, edge trims, outlets and the kerbs around rooflights move and weather differently from the rest of the roof. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re often the first things to fail.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Outlets that hold water back
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
For landlords with property near Uckfield station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Before you book anyone
- What insurance they carry
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What follow-up you get after the report
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
Prices for flat roof surveys in Shortgate
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- How big the roof is
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
What we need to know
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
Getting a price is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us a few details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Shortgate
Is Shortgate within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Shortgate is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. 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.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for a house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. The written report follows by email.
When does the report arrive?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. The report is emailed to you.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
Can you survey a flat roof on an office or unit?
Yes. We survey flat roofs on commercial buildings as well as homes. A commercial roof typically takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it is large or complex, and larger roofs are quoted for their size.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.