Reading · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Gallowstree Common
Drone roof surveys in Gallowstree Common from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
Drone roof surveys in Gallowstree Common: local notes
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. About 2.6 miles south-west lies Mapledurham House, a reminder of how long the area around Gallowstree Common 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.
Gallowstree Common is about 3 miles north-west of Caversham, in Reading. Gallowstree Common is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Gallowstree Common is one of the places in Reading where we work.
We survey roofs across RG4 for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Reades Lane, Hearns Lane and Horsepond Road or a nearby road, we can help. Other places close to Gallowstree Common include Cane End (1 mile south-west), Hook End (2 miles north-west), Stoke Row (2 miles north), Checkendon (3 miles north-west) and Woodcote (3 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Caversham (3 miles south-east), Norcot (4 miles south), West Reading (4 miles south), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south), Shinfield (8 miles south) and Arborfield Garrison (10 miles south-east).
Around Gallowstree Common
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Reformation pub, Kidmore End Church of England Primary School and The Warwick School and the streets around them. The closest station to Gallowstree Common is Tilehurst station, roughly 3.3 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Battle Hospital (4.1 miles south). The countryside around Gallowstree Common includes Hartslock.
Drone roof survey in Gallowstree Common: what you get
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. We keep it in sight throughout, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. Each flight is planned with the site and its surroundings in mind. Airspace and weather are checked before every flight. We never fly where it isn’t safe. We survey tall and steep roofs, valleys and parapet gutters and fragile roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below and lifted or split lead flashings.
Villages like Gallowstree Common frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
The report is written in plain words, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Each point is backed by a photo where possible, with the urgent items made clear.
- Place
- Gallowstree Common (RG4)
- Region
- Reading
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near Gallowstree Common
What else we do in Gallowstree Common
The survey, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe vantage point, take photographs as we go and make notes for the report. It usually takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Around Gallowstree Common, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start with the address and what you’d like checked.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- The findings, photos and recommendations reach you by email.
Before the survey
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Arrange a survey
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
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How we price drone roof surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The roof’s overall size
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you’d like to know.
What to tell us when you contact us
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Can I check my roof myself?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
Questions from Gallowstree Common
Is drone flying allowed in Gallowstree Common?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Do you cover smaller places like Gallowstree Common?
Yes, Gallowstree Common is covered. We work right across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
What does a roof survey cost?
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before you book, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
What will the report tell me?
A photo-illustrated written report, covering the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
What insurance do you have?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
How long does the survey take?
It typically takes an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. The written report follows by email.
What we can’t see
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, so a survey has limits:
- A flight on a day when the weather isn’t safe
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
How the survey changes by roof type
Ridges and hips
Ridges may be bedded in mortar or mechanically fixed. Their condition is noted in the report.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Steep slopes are hard to inspect safely on foot. From the air, every course of slates or tiles can be seen, showing slipped, cracked and missing pieces.
Common roof problems in Gallowstree Common
Parapet gutters, box gutters and central valleys sit out of sight. Debris collects where nobody looks, until it causes a leak inside. From above, they’re easy to see.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St John the Baptist, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof frequently shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Before you book anyone
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely