West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in West Grinstead
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out flat roof surveys in West Grinstead, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Leaks around rooflights
- Raised blisters across the surface
Flat roofs in West Grinstead
England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so the council is the place to ask. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
In and around West Grinstead, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
West Grinstead is about 6 miles south of Horsham, in West Sussex. We carry out flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in West Grinstead and the surrounding area. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Crawley.
Flat roof surveys in RH13 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Whether your property is on Steyning Road, Carylls Meadow and Clothalls Lane or anywhere close by, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Littleworth (1 mile south-east), Partridge Green (1 mile south-east), Dial Post (2 miles south-west), Shipley (2 miles west) and Whitehall (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Crawley (11 miles north-east), Horsham (6 miles north), Worthing (11 miles south), Haywards Heath (10 miles east), Burgess Hill (9 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).
Landmarks near West Grinstead
Open spaces near West Grinstead include Knepp Wildland.
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in West Grinstead
Buying a home with a flat-roofed extension, dormer or garage? It’s useful to know that roof’s condition before you exchange. Many felt roofs need renewing after around 15 to 20 years, and EPDM and GRP often go on for longer. Our report records the covering, how it is holding up and any defects we can see, with a photo of every defect. That gives you facts to raise with the seller or agent. If you are worried about leaks around rooflights and raised blisters across the surface, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a village or hamlet like West Grinstead, flat roofs are typically on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. The checks are the same as anywhere: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. Garages and outbuildings are easy to forget, so mention any you want included as you book.
Where we can’t see part of the flat roof, the report says so. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Where
- West Grinstead (RH13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Signs you need a flat roof survey in West Grinstead
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.
People usually book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Outlets that hold water back
- Loose or cracked edge trims
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Shrine Church of Our Lady of Consolation and St Francis, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start.
Before you book anyone
- Will the report include photos?
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Their report turnaround times
Prices for flat roof surveys in West Grinstead
When we price a survey, we consider:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Which survey package you book
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Helping us price your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or send us an email and give us some details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
What we can’t see
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- An exact number of years the roof has left
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Single-ply membranes
Different roofs, different checks
EPDM rubber
EPDM often lasts 30 to 50 years, but it relies on its seams, trims and upstands being well finished. Those details are where we focus.
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt has no laps, so its weak points are cracks and the skirtings at walls and upstands. Our report notes crazing, cracks and any likely entry points.
Towns and villages near West Grinstead
Other services in West Grinstead
West Grinstead: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like West Grinstead?
Yes. West Grinstead is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Is my home in West Grinstead 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 is worth checking before planning any.
What do I do with the report?
You’ll receive the report by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Do you look for flat roof leaks?
The survey covers the covering and all the details where leaks usually begin, and photograph anything that could be letting water in. If the source is hidden, we may suggest a leak investigation or electronic leak detection.
Is a flat roof survey the same as a building survey?
No. It is a survey of the flat roof. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 home survey or a structural engineer’s report. It often sits alongside a buyer’s building survey.
What types of flat roof do you survey?
We cover the main flat roof coverings: felt, asphalt, EPDM, GRP and single-ply. We record what the covering is and how it’s holding up.
Do you go up onto the roof?
Only where it is safe to do so. Otherwise we use windows, vantage points and the spaces below, and the report says if any part couldn’t be seen. Fragile surfaces are never walked on.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Caught early, a split or open seam in a flat roof is often a small repair. Leave it, and water can get into the insulation and deck, which can turn a patch into a replacement. A survey now shows which you’re dealing with. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like West Grinstead, driving rain gets into any weakness, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, inc. VAT, and we’ll tell you which fits.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in West Grinstead
- Over 20 years’ experience
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
How the survey works
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the flat roof as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Notes and photos go into the written report. It usually takes about one to two hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like West Grinstead, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Check we can get to the back of the property
Arrange a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.