West Berkshire · London and the South East
New roof snagging in Fair Cross, West Berkshire
Wondering about the new roof at a property in Fair Cross? We carry out new roof snagging in Fair Cross and across West Berkshire.
- Underlay at the eaves left exposed
- Untidy or loose verge details
- Flashings not properly dressed or fixed
How new roof snagging works in Fair Cross
Snagging means finding the small faults and loose ends left at the end of a job. On a roof, snags are often at the edges and junctions where the work is most fiddly. We inspect as far as can safely be seen and photograph each snag. Typical snags include loose ridge tiles, poorly dressed flashings and debris left in gutters. We’re often asked to look into broken coverings left on a new roof and verge tiles or slates not secured, across new-build homes, replacement roofs and loft conversions and dormers.
Some older homes in villages like Fair Cross are listed or sit in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. For a buyer or someone with a newly finished roof, it’s worth knowing which applies, as well as what condition the roof is in. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the new roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Place
- Fair Cross (RG7)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Also near Fair Cross
Also in Fair Cross
FAQs for Fair Cross
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Fair 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, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is Fair Cross in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Fair Cross as anywhere else.
Do you lift tiles to check the fixings?
No. We inspect what can be seen without opening up the roof so hidden fixings aren’t visible to us. The report says what could and couldn’t be seen.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
How much time does a snagging visit need?
For a house, expect about 1–2 hours on site, and longer for large or complex roofs.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and it’s safe, yes. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It can, depending on the survey. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We will rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
Practical tips
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Check lower roofs and walls after scaffolding comes down
- Put any issues to your roofer in writing
- Check the roof before you pay in full
- Note the end of any warranty or defects period
You receive a written report with photos of each snag and written recommendations. You can send it straight to your roofer.
Put the warranty or defects period end date in your diary. Book a check well before it so snags can be raised.
How we price new roof snagging
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- Roof area
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
What to tell us when you get in touch
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you get in touch, it is useful to mention:
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- The kind of building and roof involved
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Common roof problems in Fair Cross
Work at height can mark walls, crack lower roofs or loosen gutters. We look for knock-on damage, not just the new roof.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Gutters blocked by building debris
- Gutters or fascias damaged during the job
- Flashings not properly dressed or fixed
- Ridge and hip tiles not properly fixed
Landlords with a home close to Mortimer station may find that a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
What happens if roof problems are left?
Small faults on a new roof can grow. Loose details can let water through during the first winter. Finding them early means they can be dealt with quickly. For an older or listed building in a place like Fair Cross, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
What you get with us
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Surveys seven days a week
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
Read our cost guide or two real surveys.
Buying a home or a new roof in Fair Cross
Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. The covering on a house you are buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest. The wider area around Fair Cross has a long history of building, with Stratfield Saye House about 0.7 miles south. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Fair Cross is about 6 miles east of Tadley, in West Berkshire. Fair Cross is one of many places we visit across West Berkshire, for homes and businesses alike. Across West Berkshire, we cover Fair Cross. Reading is in our area too.
All of RG7 is within our area for new roof snagging, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Other places close to Fair Cross include Stratfield Saye (1 mile south-west), West End Green (2 miles west), Stratfield Mortimer (2 miles north-west), Spanish Green (2 miles south) and Wokefield (3 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns like Newbury (14 miles west), Thatcham (11 miles west), Burghfield Common (4 miles north-west), Speenhamland (14 miles west), Spencers Wood (3 miles north-east) and Calcot (6 miles north).
Near you in Fair Cross
The nearest railway station is Mortimer station, roughly 1.7 miles north-west. A little further out are Beaumys Castle (1.5 miles north-east). Not far away are Longwater and The Marshes Local Nature Reserve.
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, depending on how much new work there is to check. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. In a hamlet or village like Fair Cross, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- First, we note any deadlines and concerns.
- The roof is inspected from the ground, vantage points and the roof where safe.
- Each detail at ridges, verges, valleys and flashings is looked at.
- Debris and damage to other parts are recorded.
- We send a written report you can pass on.
Before we arrive
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Book a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.