Reading · London and the South East
Arborfield Cross Flat Roof Survey
Flat roof surveys around Arborfield Cross, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Outlets that hold water back
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Loose or cracked edge trims
What we look for on each type of roof
Mastic asphalt
Mastic asphalt is a heavy, seamless covering frequently found on older blocks, balconies and commercial roofs. We look for crazing, cracks, blisters and splits at the skirtings.
Rooflights and upstands
Rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. They’re inspected from safe positions and recorded with photographs.
Flat roof survey in Arborfield Cross
Every flat roof covering tends to fail in its own way. Felt can blister and crack, asphalt can craze and split, EPDM seams and laps can lift, and GRP can crack where boards meet or at the trims. On PVC and TPO single-ply roofs, we look closely at the welded laps, edges and fixings. Knowing what you have and how it is doing helps you plan what comes next. Typical surveys look at splits, cracks and crazing and dips that suggest the deck is deflecting, across felt flat roofs, EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass.
In a small place like Arborfield Cross, a flat roof can stand in the open, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, usually 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.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Arborfield Cross (RG2)
- Region
- Reading
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What a flat roof survey looks like in Arborfield Cross
If your home is older, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Next to the main roofs there’s usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Bartholomew, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking. Take a building like The Coombes Church of England Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Arborfield Cross is about 3 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Reading. In Arborfield Cross, as across Reading, every roof gets the same careful survey. We cover towns and villages across Reading, from the larger towns to small villages.
Flat roof surveys in RG2 are booked the same way as anywhere else. That includes homes and businesses on Eversley Road, Chamberlain Gardens and Melrose Gardens. We also cover Farley Hill (2 miles south), Swallowfield (3 miles south-west), Spencers Wood (3 miles west), Riseley (3 miles south-west) and Bramshill (4 miles south). We also work in nearby towns like Caversham (6 miles north-west), Norcot (7 miles north-west), West Reading (6 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (7 miles north-west), Caversham Heights (7 miles north-west) and Horncastle (6 miles north-west).
What’s near Arborfield Cross
In Arborfield Cross, that means homes and buildings near Swan Inn, Shepperlands Farm Nature Reserve and Bohunt School Wokingham and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Winnersh station, about 2.7 miles north-east of the centre. A little further out are Beaumys Castle (3.5 miles south-west) and Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (2 miles north). Open spaces near Arborfield Cross include South Lake and The Marshes Local Nature Reserve.
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Arborfield Cross
Flat roofs take the full force of the weather on a surface that drains slowly. Over the years, coverings harden, crack and start to come away at the edges. Most people book a survey after a leak, before buying, or when they think the roof is getting old.
Look out for signs like these:
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Leaks around rooflights
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
If you let a flat or house near Winnersh station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Before you book anyone
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Their insurance cover
- Will the report include photos?
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That part is for a survey.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Arborfield Cross
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Arborfield Cross?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you cover Arborfield Cross?
Yes, Arborfield Cross is within the area we cover. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the property.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report.
Does a flat roof survey replace a RICS survey?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building, and it isn’t a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
What’s the best way to book?
Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
How long is the visit?
It typically takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. You’ll then get the report by email.
What we do, step by step
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you want to find out. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, from the ground, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where applicable. Most surveys take an hour or two for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Around Arborfield Cross, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- We check the roof from ground level, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Book a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Useful tips for Arborfield Cross property owners
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
- Check that new brackets or units haven’t damaged the covering
- Keep people off the roof unless they need to be there
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. It can support a request for work before completion or a conversation about price, depending on what we found.
Small defects are simpler to deal with while they’re still small. A flat roof that is looked after between surveys usually lasts longer.
What affects the cost of flat roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- The size of the roof
- Basic, Standard or Premium
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 including VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Helping us price your survey
These details help when you get in touch:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- The property’s address and postcode
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email to find out.