Reading · London and the South East
Burghfield Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Burghfield, with photos and a clear written report.
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
Buying a home or a new roof in Burghfield
Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary the Virgin: a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming. Historic houses such as Stratfield Saye House, about 4.8 miles south-east, show how far back building around Burghfield goes. When you buy an older home, the roof’s age, past repairs and any listing all affect what you might spend later.
Burghfield is about 4 miles south-west of Reading, in Reading. Wherever you are in Burghfield, we can come and survey your property. Burghfield is one of the towns and villages in Reading we cover.
Every address in RG30 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys. We cover properties on Saxon Gate, Hazel Close and Willow Close. Other places close to Burghfield include Trash Green (1 mile north), Burghfield Hill (1 mile south), Sulhamstead Abbots (1 mile west), Sheffield Bottom (1 mile north-west) and Sulhamstead Bannister Upper End (1 mile west). We also work in nearby towns like Caversham (6 miles north-east), Norcot (4 miles north), West Reading (4 miles north-east), Tilehurst Within (3 miles north), Shinfield (4 miles east) and Arborfield Garrison (7 miles east).
Local landmarks in Burghfield
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Willink School, The Hatchgate pub and The Willink School, among other places. The closest station to Burghfield is Theale station, about 1.9 miles north-west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Thames Valley Police Museum (1.3 miles north-west) and Beaumys Castle (3.8 miles south-east). The countryside around Burghfield includes Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and Hosehill Lake.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Burghfield
Tall, steep or hidden roofs are hard to judge from the street. Our Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and, where applicable, a drone inspection, along with a same-day report. Where a flight isn’t possible, because of airspace rules or the weather, we tell you and inspect from every other safe vantage point. We survey natural slate, the roof space and chimney stacks, and the problems we are asked to look at most are patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem and old water stains in the roof space.
Being in a small place like Burghfield makes no difference to the inspection itself: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when booking. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Visits can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.
If any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Burghfield (RG30)
- Wider area
- Reading
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to Burghfield
Also in Burghfield
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. We will say if the flue needs a specialist.
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal the joints where a roof meets a wall or chimney. We check whether they’ve lifted, split or been replaced with mortar or bitumen.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Spotting it before you buy means you know about it from day one. For an older or listed building in a place like Burghfield, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Burghfield
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Clear package prices, including VAT
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
Common roof problems in Burghfield
The fixings and underlay frequently fail before good slates or tiles do. Good slate can last well over a century, yet the nails holding it rust and let slates slide. It is a frequent finding on older houses and easy to miss from the ground.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
Landlords with a home close to Theale station may find that a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What happens after the report arrives
- When you will get the report
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
Checking the roof from the ground
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
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. Do not go up yourself.
How it works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes an hour or two for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Rural addresses near Burghfield can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- We email a report with photos and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Getting ready for the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Tell us about parking before the day
Arrange a survey
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us some details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Read more
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
When we price a survey, we consider:
- The size of the roof
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can safely be seen and which survey you book.
What we need to know
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from the ground or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Burghfield
Do you cover Burghfield?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Is Burghfield within the area you cover?
Yes. Burghfield is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, with a written report and photos. It doesn’t cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. We’ll talk about access as you book.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with whoever owns or manages the building. Tell us about it when you book and we will explain what’s needed.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That gives you time to use the findings, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.