Kent · London and the South East
Upper Harbledown Flat Roof Survey
Flat roof surveys around Upper Harbledown, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- A sagging deck under the covering
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Upper Harbledown
If the house you’re buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it’s worth knowing its condition before exchange. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM and GRP frequently last longer. Our report records the covering, how it is holding up and any defects we can see, with a photo of every defect. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. We survey EPDM rubber, upstands and outlets and felt flat roofs, and people most frequently book us about failed seals around rooflight kerbs and failed upstands where the roof meets a wall.
In a small place like Upper Harbledown, 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, usually show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
What you get is a clear record of the flat roof on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, like when you want to compare after future work.
- Location
- Upper Harbledown (CT2)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Older rural homes like those around Upper Harbledown can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- 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.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Getting a price
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before you book.
Read more
Tips that help
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Check that new brackets or units haven’t damaged the covering
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- Note where water lies after a downpour
Many people send the report to two or three roofers for quotes. With each roofer working from the same list, comparing quotes is simpler. You stay in control of who does the work and when.
Check the roof from a window after a downpour. If water is still there a day or two later, have it checked.
How the survey changes by roof type
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt roofs are common on older flats, walkways and commercial buildings. The survey checks for crazing, cracking, blistering and splits where the asphalt turns up the walls.
GRP fibreglass
A well-laid GRP roof often lasts up to about 30 years. Hairline cracks over board joints are an early warning we look out for.
What a flat roof survey doesn’t cover
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- An exact number of years the roof has left
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you before booking. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
Questions from Upper Harbledown
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Upper Harbledown?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it usually shows, and Upper Harbledown is within about 5 miles of the coast.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Upper Harbledown?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
How fast do I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know when booking.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Do you survey commercial flat roofs?
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 please phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
What do I do with the report?
The report arrives by email. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
Can I check my roof myself?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when booking.
Flat roof surveys in Upper Harbledown: local notes
Upper Harbledown is within about 5 miles of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it’s listed or in a conservation area. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area.
The streets around a church such as Church of St. Gabriel are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start. For site and facilities teams at buildings like St Edmund's School, a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Upper Harbledown is about 2 miles west of Canterbury, in Kent. From houses to flats and shops in Upper Harbledown, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Upper Harbledown is one of the towns and villages in Kent we cover.
All of CT2 is within our area for flat roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Roman Road, The Green and Limes Place. We also cover the places around Upper Harbledown: Rough Common (1 mile north-east), Harbledown (1 mile east), Chartham Hatch (1 mile south-west), Thanington (1 mile south-east) and Wincheap (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Ashford (12 miles south-west), Dover (15 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (14 miles west), Folkestone (15 miles south-east), Whitstable (5 miles north) and Faversham (7 miles west).
Local landmarks in Upper Harbledown
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to No Man's Orchard, The Canterbury Academy and The Dog and Bear pub. The closest station to Upper Harbledown is Canterbury West station, about 1.8 miles east of the centre. A little further out are Canterbury Castle (1.9 miles east) and Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr (2 miles east). Open spaces near Upper Harbledown include Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
When to book a survey in Upper Harbledown
Buyers often book after their home survey suggests 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.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
For landlords with property near Canterbury West station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Will the report include photos?
- What experience they bring
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see