Wokingham · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Barkham
An experienced roof surveyor for pre-purchase roof surveys in Barkham. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Barkham
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where applicable and an in-person consultation. Choose the level that suits the home you’re buying. All three include a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations. If you are worried about a ridge or slope that dips and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Being in a small place like Barkham makes no difference to the inspection itself: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
It isn’t only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Where
- Barkham (RG40, RG41)
- Region
- Wokingham
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Barkham
Viewings rarely include a proper look at the roof. You walk round the rooms, but the roof stays out of sight, and a quick glance from the street misses a lot. Fresh decoration can also cover the marks an old leak left behind, so a closer look is worth having before you commit.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
- Flashings that have lifted or split
Take an older house close to Church of St James: a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- Their insurance cover
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- When you’ll get the report
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Barkham
Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. The covering on a house you’re buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest.
If you let a flat or house near Wokingham station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Barkham is about 2 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Wokingham. Surveys in Barkham work the same way as everywhere we cover: a proper look at whatever is safely visible, photos and a clear written report. Barkham is one of the towns and villages in Wokingham we cover. You can also see our page for Reading.
We cover every part of the RG40 and RG41 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Barkham Road and Barkham Street or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Langley Common (1 mile west), Arborfield Garrison (1 mile south-west), California (1 mile south), Finchampstead (3 miles south) and Eversley (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Reading (6 miles north-west), Woodley (4 miles north), Earley (3 miles north-west), Crowthorne (4 miles south-east), Lower Earley (3 miles north-west) and Newtown (5 miles north-west).
Near you in Barkham
In Barkham, that means homes and buildings near The Bull Public House And Smithy, Bohunt School Wokingham and Shepperlands Farm Nature Reserve. The nearest railway station is Wokingham station, about 1.9 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (1.9 miles north) and Wokingham Hospital (1.7 miles north-east). The countryside around Barkham includes Heath Lake and Holt Copse & Joel Park.
The survey, step by step
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the roof space if there’s safe access. In total, it takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. In a small place like Barkham, access is normally the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- Once your offer is accepted, you let us know the address and when you hope to exchange.
- Access to the house and the loft space is agreed ahead of time.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it’s safe.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations before you exchange.
Before we arrive
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Do not leave it until just before exchange
If you want quotes for the work, roofers can work from the report. They’ll see exactly what we found, and where, so each quote covers the same ground.
Keep the loft ventilated. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up, wetting timbers and insulation. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents so air can move.
Also near Barkham
Also in Barkham
Questions from Barkham
How do I find out if my home in Barkham is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you cover smaller places like Barkham?
Yes, Barkham is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Can I take the findings back to the seller?
Yes. You will have photos and a written description of each defect, so you can raise them with the seller or their agent. We can’t promise how the seller will respond.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
What’s the best way to book?
It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Give us the address and a few details about the roof. Surveys run on any day of the week.
Do you go up on the roof?
Only where it’s safe. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft.
What we cannot see
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Anything beyond the roof, which a full home survey covers
- Whether timbers meet design loads
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents and landlords in Barkham book surveys as well as homeowners. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the roof.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
Checking the roof from ground level
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.