West Berkshire · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Swallowfield
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Swallowfield and the rest of West Berkshire. Surveys run seven days a week.
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Water getting in at rooflights
Flat roof survey in Swallowfield: what you get
If the house you are buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it is worth knowing its condition before exchange. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM and GRP often last longer. We set out the type of covering, its condition and the defects we found, with photos of each. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. Typical surveys look at standing water left after rain and water getting in at rooflights, across mastic asphalt, single-ply membranes and felt flat roofs.
Older buildings in small places like Swallowfield may be listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. If you’re planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Where
- Swallowfield (RG7)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Swallowfield
Many flat roof problems start at the details rather than the main surface. Upstands, trims, outlets and rooflight kerbs each move and weather in their own way. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re frequently the first things to fail.
Look out for signs like these:
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
If you own a rental within reach of Mortimer station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- What happens after the report arrives
- Their track record with similar roofs
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- How long the report takes to arrive
Flat roofs in Swallowfield
Historic houses like Stratfield Saye House, about 2.6 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Swallowfield goes. If yours is one of the older homes, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Next to the main roofs there is normally a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
For an older house near a landmark like Church of All Saints, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. If you look after a building such as Lambs Lane Primary School, a large flat roof with lots of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Swallowfield is about 5 miles south of Reading, in West Berkshire. In Swallowfield, as across West Berkshire, every roof gets the same careful survey. Swallowfield is one of the places in West Berkshire where we work for flat roof surveys.
We cover every part of the RG7 postcode area for flat roof surveys and the streets around it. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on The Street, Hornbeams and Fieldfare Court or a nearby road, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Riseley (1 mile south), Spencers Wood (1 mile north), Beech Hill (2 miles west), Farley Hill (2 miles east) and Grazeley (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Thatcham (13 miles west), Burghfield Common (5 miles west), Calcot (6 miles north-west), Shaw (15 miles west), Burghfield Hill (4 miles west) and Theale (6 miles north-west).
Around Swallowfield
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Oakbank, Swallowfield Meadow and The Crown pub. The closest station to Swallowfield is Mortimer station, roughly 3.3 miles west of the centre. Nearby you will also find Beaumys Castle (0.9 miles west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (5 miles north). For a walk, there is The Marshes Local Nature Reserve and Longwater.
Nearby places to Swallowfield
What else we do in Swallowfield
What we can’t see
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- Testing older roof sheets for asbestos
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
Different roofs, different checks
Mastic asphalt
Older asphalt can become brittle and crack as the roof moves. We note where this is happening and how widespread it looks.
Felt and built-up roofs
The edges and upstands of a felt roof are usually where trouble starts. Every upstand and edge is looked at, with photos of any that have lifted or cracked.
What affects the price in Swallowfield
Not every roof costs the same to survey, and it comes down to:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can be seen safely and the package you choose.
Booking your survey
We’ll typically ask about:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before booking.
FAQs for Swallowfield
Do you cover smaller places like Swallowfield?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Is Swallowfield in the area you cover?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and Swallowfield is part of that. Just call 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the property.
Can you test old roof sheets for asbestos?
Asbestos testing isn’t part of our survey. Where a roof has materials that might contain asbestos, such as old cement sheeting, the report flags them and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor.
What will the report tell me?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, with photos throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, so you know exactly what was covered.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and they go into the written report.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the exact price before booking, based on the roof’s size, access and package. For a price, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Where it’s safe, the roof is inspected from the roof itself. Otherwise we use windows, vantage points and the spaces below, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We don’t walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Ask contractors to protect the roof if they work on it
- Treat rooflights and old sheeting as fragile
- Note the date and type of any roof work
After the visit, we write up the report with photographs of what we found. It covers the type of covering, its condition and each defect, with our recommendations. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Keep foot traffic on a flat roof to a minimum. Where someone does need access, ask them to use boards or a protected route, and remind them never to step on rooflights or fragile sheets.
The survey, step by step
We will ask a few questions first, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes between one and two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Swallowfield often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We look at 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.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
How to book
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.