London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Reading
Pre-purchase roof surveys in all 34 towns and villages of Reading, with a written report and photos.
Where we work in Reading
Across Reading, that means a roof survey before you buy a house or flat. Choose your town from the list to see local details, or call 07833 053749 to book.
Larger towns
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Reading
Older homes frequently have roofs that have been patched over the years. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. Typical surveys look at gaps where slates or tiles have come loose and chimney mortar that has eroded, on chimney stacks, clay and concrete tiles and gutters and downpipes.
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, inspect the roof from every safe vantage point, take photos as we go and make notes for the report. Most visits take an hour or two at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Moisture detection, structural checks, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- We send the report with recommendations ranked by urgency, ready for you to discuss with the seller or agent.
What affects the price in Reading
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all including VAT. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you’d like to know.
What you get with us
- Surveys seven days a week
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- 20+ years’ experience
- 98% of clients satisfied
Booking a survey
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Landmarks near Caversham
Typical jobs here are in homes near Eldon Square, Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre and Chiltern Nursery Nurse Training School. Other local landmarks include The Hill Primary School (less than half a mile north-east), Grace Church (within half a mile east) and The White Horse pub (less than half a mile north). Caversham’s nearest station is Reading station, roughly 1.3 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Royal Berkshire Hospital (1.9 miles south) and Broad Street Mall (1.6 miles south). The countryside around Caversham includes South Lake and Sonning Hill.
Pre-purchase roof surveys across Reading: local notes
From Caversham, Norcot and West Reading to its smaller places, homes across Reading range from period houses to post-war estates and new builds. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, a written roof report gives you something specific to raise.
Several airports in London and South East England have flight restriction zones around them, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any drone flight in Reading. Flights that need permission only go ahead once it is given.
Caversham: Historic houses like Mapledurham House, about 3 miles west, show how far back building around Caversham goes. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later. If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Grace Church, ask the seller about past roof repairs, because older roofs frequently have patched valleys, replaced slates and reset ridges.
Practical tips
Getting the most from a pre-purchase roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
We email the report to you, with photos of each finding. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Findings are set out in plain English, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Keep an eye on chimneys and flashings in your new home. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. Binoculars from ground level are enough for a first look.
Why act early?
A slow leak can go unnoticed for months. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Finding the cause at the survey stage means you know about it from day one.
Questions to ask before booking
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Their report turnaround times
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What happens after the report arrives
Landlord and commercial surveys in Reading
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed ahead of time. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Roof by roof
Clay and concrete tiles
Older homes in the South East frequently have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles on some. Where pegs have rotted, tiles can slip.
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but the nails holding it corrode long before that. Slipped or missing slates are a sign of ‘nail fatigue’, and we note how widespread it looks.
Honest limits
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
Reading: your questions answered
Do you need access inside the house?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If we cannot get in, the report says so.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. It is a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, with a written report and photos. It doesn’t cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
The visit typically takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We’ll give you an idea of timing as you book.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
When conditions and the roof make it safe, yes. We also inspect from ground level, upper windows and the loft space.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. We’ll talk about access when you book.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.