Oxfordshire · London and the South East
New Roof Snagging in Shirburn
An experienced roof surveyor for new roof snagging in Shirburn. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Cracked lower roofs or marked walls after the work
- Poorly finished verges
- Signs of condensation in the roof space
New roof snagging for homes and businesses in Shirburn
We report on what we see with photos and plain descriptions. Any dispute about the work is between you and your roofer or builder. Our report gives you an independent record to refer to. We don’t give repair cost estimates or decide who is at fault, but it does set out clearly what we found. If you’ve noticed loose flashings at walls or chimneys and debris left in gutters or valleys, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Somewhere as small as Shirburn, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Whether you’re buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the new roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- Shirburn (OX49)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026

What we look for on each type of roof
Ridges, hips and verges
Loose ridge or hip tiles are a common snag. They’re recorded with photos.
Flashings
Chimney flashings are a frequent source of leaks and are checked closely.
Shirburn homes and their roofs
Cotswold stone slates are found on older buildings in west Oxfordshire, and thatch survives in some of the county’s villages. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. With Adwell House about 2.4 miles north, Shirburn sits in an area with a long building history. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Shirburn is about 6 miles south of Thame, in Oxfordshire. We visit Shirburn as part of our work across Oxfordshire. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Oxford is in our area too.
Here we cover the OX49 postcode area for new roof snagging. Local streets include Watlington Road, Castle Road and Blenheim Road. Neighbouring places we cover for new roof snagging include Lewknor (1 mile north-east), South Weston (2 miles north), Christmas Common (2 miles south-east), Postcombe (2 miles north) and Howe Hill (3 miles south). Further out, we also cover Oxford (12 miles north-west), Didcot (11 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles west), Thame (6 miles north), Henley-on-Thames (9 miles south-east) and Benson (5 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Shirburn
Around Shirburn, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Watlington Primary School, St Mary's Church and The Chequers pub and the streets around them. Green spaces nearby include Aston Rowant NNR and Bald Hill.
What happens on the day
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take about 1–2 hours at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. In a small place like Shirburn, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start with what the roofer did and when they finished.
- The new coverings and roof edges are inspected as far as can be seen safely.
- We check valleys, flashings, gutters and the underlay at the eaves.
- We check the loft where safe and look for debris or damage.
- You get a photo report of each snag.
Preparing for the visit
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Arrange a survey
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form when you are ready.
Advice
Your questions about new roof snagging in Shirburn
How do I find out if my home in Shirburn is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Shirburn?
Yes, Shirburn is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
What do you check on a new roof?
Everything we can see safely, from the ridge and verges down to the eaves and gutters. The roof space is looked at where there’s safe access, and we note any mess or damage left after the work.
Do you check new-build roofs?
Yes, new-build roofs are checked in the same way as replacement roofs. The report lists snags with photos for you to pass to your builder.
Do you use drones?
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’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Keep warranty papers safe
- Check ceilings and the loft after heavy rain
- Look for debris left in gutters from the ground
- Check before your warranty period ends
Once the work is finished, check the ceilings and loft after the next downpour. Raise any new signs of water with your roofer promptly.
File the contract, invoices and warranty papers in one place. Add the snagging report to it.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
Nearby places to Shirburn
More services for Shirburn
What new roof snagging doesn’t cover
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Repair costs for putting snags right
- Parts of the roof we can’t see safely
- What’s under the new coverings
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Shirburn
- New flat roofs
- Loft conversions and dormers
- Replacement roofs
- New-build homes
- Flashings and valleys
- Ridges and verges
Do you need new roof snagging in Shirburn?
Owners often get in touch when the finish looks uneven or a leak appears. Others just want an independent check before paying before signing off the job.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Offcuts and broken tiles left behind
- Vents that weren’t fitted or are covered
- Damage to other parts of the building
- Untidy or loose verge details
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near All Saints Church, the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are.
What to check before booking
- What experience they bring
- What insurance they carry
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether the price includes VAT