West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Washington, West Sussex
Flat roof surveys in Washington from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Outlets that hold water back
- Leaks around rooflights
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Washington
A flat roof leak frequently travels before it shows on the ceiling. It may start at a split, a lifted seam or a failed upstand well away from the damp patch. That is why we check every detail across the roof, not only the area above the stain, and photograph anything that could let water in. Whoever carries out the work then has a clear starting point. We survey felt flat roofs, mastic asphalt and upstands and outlets, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are blocked or damaged outlets and standing water left after rain.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Washington take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. 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 normally the first part of a flat roof to go.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Place
- Washington (RH20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. A typical visit takes an hour or two for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. In a hamlet or village like Washington, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- 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.
- The covering, falls, upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- Where there’s safe access, we check the ceilings and spaces below for signs of water.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations and emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Getting a price
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Read more
Towns and villages near Washington
What else we do in Washington
Prices for flat roof surveys in Washington
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. The main factors are:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- House, block, shop or office
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Helping us price your survey
These details help when you get in touch:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The kind of building and roof involved
We survey roofs seven days a week. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Practical tips
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- Limit foot traffic on the covering
- Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
The report is emailed to you, ready to share with a roofer, the seller or a managing agent. Each defect is described in plain words and shown in a photo, so anyone reading it can see what we saw.
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.
What this survey can’t tell you
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
- A promise that the roof won’t leak in future
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- EPDM rubber
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
Why it is worth a survey now in Washington
Waiting for a stain inside means the water has already got through the layers. A survey can find worn areas and failing details before that point, so you can plan the work rather than react to it. Older and listed buildings around Washington may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You will know the figure before booking.
What you get with us
- Over 20 years’ experience
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Flat and commercial roofs around Washington
Parham House, about 3.9 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Washington. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
Take a building like St Mary's CofE Primary School: schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Mary: flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Washington is about 6 miles north of Worthing, in West Sussex. We visit Washington as part of our work across West Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Our West Sussex coverage includes Washington and the places around it. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Surveys in RH20 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on London Road, The Street and Chanctonbury Close or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Washington include Rock (1 mile north), Sullington (1 mile west), Heath Common (2 miles north-west), Storrington (2 miles north-west) and Warminghurst (2 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as Horsham (12 miles north), Worthing (6 miles south), Bognor Regis (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (15 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (13 miles east) and Littlehampton (8 miles south-west).
Near you in Washington
Around Washington, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Rydon Community College, Windlesham House School and The Frankland Arms Public House and the streets around them. Well-known places in the area include The Storrington And District Museum (2 miles north-west). Not far away are Chanctonbury Hill.
What we look for on each type of roof
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs are laid as a resin and glass-fibre layer over boards. We look for cracks at board joints, around trims and at upstands.
Rooflights and upstands
Rooflights, lanterns and upstands are where many flat roof leaks begin. We look at how the covering is finished around each rooflight and upstand.
Questions from Washington
How do I find out if my home in Washington 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.
Will you come out to Washington?
Yes, Washington is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Will you walk on the flat roof?
Only where it is safe to do so. Otherwise we use windows, vantage points and the spaces below, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We don’t walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
How much is a survey?
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We note visible signs such as sagging or deflection, but we don’t carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.