West Berkshire · London and the South East
Landlord roof survey in Downend, West Berkshire
Wondering about the let or shared roof at a property in Downend? We carry out landlord roof surveys in Downend and across West Berkshire.
- Choked outlets and gutters
- Damp or stains in top-floor flats
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
Landlord roof surveys for homes and businesses in Downend
Who pays for roof work on a block depends on the lease. We don’t give legal advice on leases, but our report gives everyone an independent record of condition. That can help when owners, freeholders and agents need to agree what happens next. The report sets out what we saw, with photos and recommendations. We’re often asked to look into gutters overflowing onto walls and missing or loose roof coverings, across shared roofs, flat roofs on blocks and blocks of flats.
In a small place like Downend, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent.
- Where
- Downend (RG20)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlords, agents and block managers in Downend
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes about one to two hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Somewhere as small as Downend, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We agree the roofs to be surveyed and what you need the report for.
- Access to flats and the loft space is arranged by you or your agent.
- Each roof is looked at from safe vantage points and inside where possible.
- Every defect is photographed and its urgency noted where relevant.
- You get a written report to plan maintenance and budgets.
Before the survey
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
Booking a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Read more
Should I look at the roof myself first?
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. Don’t go up yourself.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
What affects the cost of landlord roof surveys
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Which survey package you book
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- How big the roof is
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) 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
A little information up front helps. It’s useful to include:
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Budgets work best when they’re based on the roof’s actual condition. Our report separates urgent items from those that can wait helping you spread the work. Older and listed buildings around Downend may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What you get with us
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Plain-English reports with photos
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
Landlord roof surveys around Downend
With Shaw House about 4.2 miles south, Downend sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Whatever the covering, it’s often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
Anyone responsible for a site like Chieveley Primary School will know that long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. The streets around a church like Church of St Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Downend is about 5 miles north of Newbury, in West Berkshire. Downend is one of many places we visit across West Berkshire, for homes and businesses alike. Across West Berkshire, we cover Downend and the places around it. You can also see our page for Reading.
Landlord roof surveys in RG20 are booked the same way as anywhere else. You’ll find streets such as Downend Lane, Bardown and Northfields, all of which we cover. Other places close to Downend include Chieveley (1 mile south), North Heath (1 mile south-west), World's End (1 mile north-east), Peasemore (2 miles north-west) and Beedon (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Newbury (5 miles south), Thatcham (5 miles south-east), Burghfield Common (12 miles south-east), Speenhamland (5 miles south), Hungerford (10 miles south-west) and Calcot (12 miles east).
Local landmarks in Downend
We work in homes and buildings around The Wheatsheaf pub. A little further out are Hampstead Norris Castle (3.3 miles east) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (4.7 miles south). Not far away are Snelsmore Common.
Tips that help
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Keep past survey reports with the building’s records
- Put urgent roof work at the top of the list
- Make leak reporting easy for tenants
- Keep roof surveys on a rolling plan
Questions about the findings are welcome. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey an in-person one.
Regular roof checks beat waiting for a leak. Many landlords and agents survey their roofs on a rolling basis, alongside yearly gutter clearing.
Your questions about landlord roof surveys in Downend
Do you cover smaller places like Downend?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Downend is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and details are available on request.
Do you survey roofs shared between flats?
Yes. We inspect the parts we are given access to, as far as they can be seen safely. The report records what couldn’t be seen in the report.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, and 98% of customers are satisfied.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain is typically fine; heavy rain and wind are different. In strong wind or a downpour, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.