West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in West Burton
We carry out flat roof surveys in West Burton and the rest of West Sussex. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Cracked or split membrane
- Standing water left after rain
About our flat roof survey in West Burton
Flat roofs deal with rain in a very different way from pitched ones. Because rain sits on it for longer, a small split, an open seam or a blocked outlet matters more. The surface, the falls, the upstands and the trims are all looked at closely, and we note any sign that the deck below has got wet. The aim is to find problems before they show up as a stain on a ceiling. If you’re worried about a sagging deck under the covering and failed upstands where the roof meets a wall, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a village or hamlet like West Burton, flat roofs are typically on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. They need the same care as any town roof: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them when booking.
After the visit, you get a written report with photographs, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the flat roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- West Burton (RH20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026

What we do, step by step
The visit has one job: to look at the flat roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit usually takes an hour or two for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Older rural homes like those around West Burton 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.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking 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
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Arrange a survey
If you’re buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Advice
Do you need a flat roof survey in West Burton?
Flat roofs frequently get walked on for other jobs: cleaning windows, fitting aerials or air conditioning, or clearing gutters. Each visit can damage a covering not made for regular foot traffic. Fixings added through the covering often start leaks too.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- A sagging deck under the covering
If you own a rental within reach of Amberley station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
What to check before booking
- How soon the report will arrive
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Which limits apply to the survey
- What follow-up you get after the report
What affects the price in West Burton
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- How big the roof is
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We’ll give you the figure before anything is booked.
What we need to know
To price your survey accurately, we’ll ask about:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Anything about access we should know
- When you need the report by
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or send us an email, tell us about the property and we will explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Nearby places to West Burton
Other services in West Burton
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client, photos included.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.
Questions from West Burton
Do you carry out roof surveys in West Burton?
Yes, West Burton is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in West Burton as anywhere else.
Will you come out to West Burton?
Yes. West Burton is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. We look at the parts we’re given access to, and the report makes that clear.
Are you structural engineers?
No. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report, and it does not include calculations. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How long will you be at the property?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take an hour or two at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Ponding is worth looking into. It can point to blocked outlets, poor falls or a deck that is sagging, and water that sits wears the covering sooner. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
What does a roof survey cost?
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before you book, based on the roof’s size, access and package. For a price, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Honest limits
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in West Burton
- GRP fibreglass
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
What we look for on each type of roof
Mastic asphalt
Older asphalt can become brittle and crack as the roof moves. The report shows where it is cracking and how far it seems to extend.
Felt and built-up roofs
Built-up felt is one of the most common flat roof coverings on extensions, garages and dormers. The survey checks for blisters, cracks, open laps and bare patches where the surfacing has worn.
Flat and commercial roofs around West Burton
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. About 0.8 miles north-west lies Bignor Roman Villa, a reminder of how long the area around West Burton has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Parish Church of the Holy Cross, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. Anyone responsible for a site like Bury CofE Primary School will know that large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
West Burton is about 6 miles west of Storrington, in West Sussex. Surveys in West Burton work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. West Burton is one of the places in West Sussex where we work. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Flat roof surveys in RH20 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover the places around West Burton: Bury (1 mile south-east), Watersfield (1 mile north-east), Amberley (2 miles east), Coldwaltham (2 miles north-east) and Lower Horncroft (2 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as Horsham (15 miles north-east), Worthing (10 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (10 miles south-west), Chichester (10 miles south-west), Littlehampton (8 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles east).
Near you in West Burton
Around West Burton, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Dorset House School. For rail, the closest station is Amberley station, about 2.1 miles south-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Arundel and District Hospital (4.4 miles south) and Amberley Castle (1.8 miles east). Not far away are Amberley Wild Brooks and Bignor Hill.