Kent · London and the South East
Smarden Bell Flat Roof Survey
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Smarden Bell, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Cracked or split membrane
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Smarden Bell
If the house you’re buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it’s worth knowing its condition before exchange. Many felt roofs need renewing after around 15 to 20 years, and EPDM and GRP often go on for longer. We set out the type of covering, its condition and the defects we found, with a photo of every defect. That gives you facts to raise with the seller or agent. Common reasons to book are water getting in at rooflights and blisters and bubbles in the covering, across EPDM rubber, single-ply membranes and GRP fibreglass.
In a small place like Smarden Bell, a flat roof can stand in the open, 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: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Location
- Smarden Bell (TN27)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- An exact number of years the roof has left
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
Tips from our surveys
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Book a survey every few years
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- File the paperwork for the roof and any repairs
- Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
You can use the report to ask roofers to quote for the same work. Because everyone is pricing the same findings, the quotes are easier to compare. It is your choice who carries out the work and when.
Clear leaves and silt from outlets and gutters, above all in autumn. Water that can drain away does far less harm than water that sits.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A survey can show whether a whole new roof is needed or whether the problems are in a few places. At times the trouble is a handful of failed details, and at times the whole covering is worn. Our report gives you the evidence to discuss with a roofer. Older cottages and farmhouses around Smarden Bell can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it’s left.
All our prices include VAT. Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
Why book us in Smarden Bell
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- 98% of clients satisfied
Read our cost guide and our case studies.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Smarden Bell
Letting agents and landlords in Smarden Bell book surveys as well as homeowners. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the flat roof.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Places near Smarden Bell
Other services in Smarden Bell
Do you need a flat roof survey in Smarden Bell?
A buyer’s general survey often recommends a closer look at a flat roof. Building owners and managing agents book to plan maintenance, or before a sale or a new lease. Either way, you get a clear record of the roof, with photographs.
People typically book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Outlets that hold water back
- Cracked or split membrane
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
If you live in an older home near Church of St Michael, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their insurance cover
- Will the report include photos?
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
What we do, step by step
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Older roofs in small places like Smarden Bell can have low, tight loft spaces, so it is useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We check the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Let us know about parking near the property
How to book
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
Flat and commercial roofs around Smarden Bell
What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. The council is the place to check, along with Historic England’s list. Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. You will also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
If you let a flat or house near Headcorn station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak. If you look after a building such as Smarden Primary School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Smarden Bell is about 9 miles west of Ashford, in Kent. Smarden Bell gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Smarden Bell is one of the places in Kent where we work. Maidstone is in our area too.
Here we cover the TN27 postcode area for flat roof surveys. Whether your property is on Bell Lane and Headcorn Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Other places close to Smarden Bell include Swift's Green (1 mile north), Smarden (1 mile south-east), Biddenden Green (1 mile east), Monk's Hill (1 mile south) and Lashenden (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (10 miles north-west), Ashford (9 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north), Faversham (14 miles north-east), Kings Hill (14 miles north-west) and Davington (14 miles north-east).
What’s near Smarden Bell
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Bell Inn and the streets around them. Smarden Bell’s nearest station is Headcorn station, roughly 2 miles west of the centre. A little further out are Romden Castle (1.8 miles south-east) and Kent Firefighting Museum (2.8 miles south-west).
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Smarden Bell
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Smarden Bell?
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.
Is Smarden Bell within the area you cover?
Yes. Smarden Bell is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Will this cover the whole house?
No. It is a survey of the flat roof. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building, and it isn’t a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and it’s safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that ahead of time, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
How long does the survey take?
It usually takes between one and two hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. The written report follows by email, on the timescale of your package.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
We do not give a fixed number of years, because so much depends on upkeep, exposure and workmanship. We describe the condition and say which work is urgent and which can wait.