Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Shiplake Cross, Oxfordshire
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Shiplake Cross? We carry out flat roof surveys in Shiplake Cross and across Oxfordshire, with plain-English findings.
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
Flat roof survey in Shiplake Cross
A flat roof does not shed water the way a pitched roof does. Water lies on the surface for longer, so a small split or a blocked outlet can soon lead to a leak. 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’ve noticed failed seals around rooflight kerbs and damaged trims at the roof edge, we can find out what’s behind it.
Somewhere as small as Shiplake Cross, flat roofs tend to be on extensions, garages and converted outbuildings. 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. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them when you book.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Place
- Shiplake Cross (RG9)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips that help
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Check that new brackets or units haven’t damaged the covering
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- File the paperwork for the roof and any repairs
If anything in the report isn’t clear, just ask us. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Book a survey every few years, and again after new fixings, units or rooflights go in. You will spot changes early and have a record to look back on.
Why get it checked now?
On a commercial building, a flat roof leak can disrupt tenants, staff and stock. A planned survey lets you budget for work rather than deal with an emergency around the business. Outbuildings and barns around Shiplake Cross are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why us?
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Surveys seven days a week
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
What we look for on each type of roof
Mastic asphalt
With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. The report shows where it’s cracking and how far it seems to extend.
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs can last up to about 30 years when they’re laid well. Cracking where boards meet or where the deck moves is a common early sign of trouble.
Can I check my roof myself?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
What this survey can’t tell you
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- An exact number of years the roof has left
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
Nearby places to Shiplake Cross
What else we do in Shiplake Cross
What happens on the day
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from each safe vantage point, take photographs as we go and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take between one and two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Somewhere like Shiplake Cross needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there’s access.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Getting a price
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Read more
Common questions in Shiplake Cross
Do you cover Shiplake Cross?
Yes, Shiplake Cross is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Shiplake Cross as anywhere else.
How do I find out if my home in Shiplake Cross is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
What does the report include?
You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
Is a flat roof survey the same as a building survey?
No. It’s a survey of the flat roof. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 home survey or a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. Each one is emailed, ready to forward.
Can you test old roof sheets for asbestos?
Our survey does not include asbestos testing. Older buildings, from before 2000, may have asbestos in cement sheets or soffits. Anything that might contain it is flagged, so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before work starts.
Flat and commercial roofs around Shiplake Cross
West Oxfordshire’s older buildings often carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere. The wider area around Shiplake Cross has a long history of building, with Greys Court about 3.8 miles north-west. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you let a flat or house near Shiplake station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. If you live in an older home near Church of St Peter and St Paul, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. Take a building like Shiplake Church of England School: ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Shiplake Cross is about 3 miles north-east of Caversham, in Oxfordshire. Shiplake Cross is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Across Oxfordshire, we cover Shiplake Cross and the places around it.
Surveys in RG9 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Memorial Avenue, Plowden Way and Orchard Close or a nearby road, we can survey it. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Binfield Heath (1 mile west), Harpsden (1 mile north), Harpsden Bottom (2 miles north-west), Henley-on-Thames (2 miles north) and Sonning Common (4 miles west). We also work in nearby towns like Benson (12 miles north-west), Chinnor (14 miles north), Tilehurst (6 miles south-west), Wallingford (12 miles north-west), Little Heath (7 miles south-west) and Oakley (14 miles north).
Near you in Shiplake Cross
Around Shiplake Cross, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Plough pub, The Piggott School and Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Shiplake station, about 1.1 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Royal Berkshire Hospital (4.3 miles south-west) and Frazer Nash Archives (2 miles north). Open spaces near Shiplake Cross include Sonning Hill and South Lake.