Kent · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Swattenden
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings around Swattenden, with a written report you can act on. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Standing water left after rain
Common questions in Swattenden
Is Swattenden within the area you cover?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Is my home in Swattenden listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Do you cover flat roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. Offices, units, shops and blocks of flats are all part of our work. We quote bigger roofs on their size and how they’re reached, so ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address.
Will you check the loft?
If the survey needs it and the loft space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
How fast do I get the report?
It depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
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. We describe the condition and say which work is urgent and which can wait.
Flat roof survey in Swattenden: what you get
Water through a flat roof does not always come in where the stain is. It may start at a split, a lifted seam or a failed upstand well away from the damp patch. Our survey covers the whole roof, not just the part above the mark, with photos of anything that could be letting water in. Whoever carries out the work then has a clear starting point. We survey upstands and outlets, mastic asphalt and single-ply membranes, and the problems we are asked to look at most are a sagging deck under the covering and outlets that hold water back.
Some older homes in villages like Swattenden are listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. If you’re planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Where
- Swattenden (TN17)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs can last up to about 30 years when they’re laid well. Cracking where boards meet or where the deck moves is a common early sign of trouble.
Felt and built-up roofs
On felt, the upstands and edge details often fail before the main surface. We check each one and photograph any that have split or pulled away.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Swattenden
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
Also near Swattenden
What else we do in Swattenden
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- Keep people off the roof unless they need to be there
- Book a survey every few years
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
After the visit, we write up the report with photos of what we found. It explains the covering, its condition and every defect, and what we recommend. Turnaround is within 48 hours for a Basic Survey, 24 to 48 hours for a Standard Survey and the same day for a Premium Survey.
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.
Common roof problems in Swattenden
A buyer’s general survey often recommends a closer look at a flat roof. Owners and managing agents use a survey to plan upkeep, or ahead of a sale or a new lease. In each case, the report gives a written, photographed record of the roof’s condition.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
Take an older house close to Congregational Church: flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
What to check before booking
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Whether the price includes VAT
- When you will get the report
- What happens after the report arrives
What affects the price in Swattenden
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Which survey package you book
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
What we need to know
A little information up front helps. It’s useful to include:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What’s prompted the survey
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us and give us some details about the property and we’ll point you to the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
How it works
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from the ground, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. The survey normally takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Somewhere like Swattenden needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect what can be seen safely, inside and out.
- 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.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk on fragile surfaces.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before we arrive
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Getting a price
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
Flat roof surveys in Swattenden: local notes
Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it is listed or in a conservation area. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas. 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. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. Next to the main roofs there’s usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Anyone responsible for a site like Cranbrook School will know that large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Swattenden is about 12 miles east of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. We survey roofs in Swattenden and the rest of Kent. We cover towns and villages across Kent, large and small. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
We cover every part of TN17 for flat roof surveys and the streets around it. Other places close to Swattenden include Hartley (1 mile west), Cranbrook (1 mile north), Baker's Cross (1 mile north-east), Coursehorn (1 mile north-east) and Gill's Green (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Maidstone (13 miles north), Ashford (15 miles east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (12 miles west), Tonbridge (14 miles north-west), Kings Hill (14 miles north) and Foley Park (14 miles north).
Landmarks near Swattenden
We work in homes and buildings around Duke Of York Public House Little Tudor and Crane Valley. Well-known places in the area include Sissinghurst Castle (3.2 miles north-east) and Benenden Hospital (3.9 miles east).