Reading · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Gallowstree Common, Reading
Pre-purchase roof surveys across Gallowstree Common, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photographs.
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Gallowstree Common
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. Standard adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. Premium goes further, with thermal imaging, a drone where applicable and a same-day report. Choose the level that suits the home you’re buying. All three include a report with photographs and recommendations. We are frequently asked to look into slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and signs of past leaks inside the loft, on gutters and downpipes, chimney stacks and flat-roofed extensions and dormers.
Somewhere as small as Gallowstree Common, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings often sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
We write the report in plain English, so you don’t need to be a roofer to follow it. Each point is backed by a photo where possible.
- Place
- Gallowstree Common (RG4)
- Region
- Reading
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Checking the roof from ground level
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If a flue needs testing, we will suggest who to ask.
Gutters and parapets
The rainwater system keeps water off the walls. We check for blockages, leaking joints and sagging runs.
Places near Gallowstree Common
Also in Gallowstree Common
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Gallowstree Common: local notes
Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Whether you’re buying or checking new roofing work, knowing the materials helps make sense of what the inspection finds.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St John the Baptist, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming. Mapledurham House, about 2.6 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Gallowstree Common. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area.
Gallowstree Common is about 3 miles north-west of Caversham, in Reading. Bookings from Gallowstree Common are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our Reading coverage includes Gallowstree Common.
Surveys in RG4 are booked the same way as anywhere else. That includes homes and businesses on Reades Lane, Hearns Lane and Horsepond Road. We also cover the places around Gallowstree Common: Cane End (1 mile south-west), Hook End (2 miles north-west), Stoke Row (2 miles north), Checkendon (3 miles north-west) and Woodcote (3 miles west). We also work in nearby towns like Caversham (3 miles south-east), Norcot (4 miles south), West Reading (4 miles south), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south), Shinfield (8 miles south) and Arborfield Garrison (10 miles south-east).
What’s near Gallowstree Common
In Gallowstree Common, that means homes and buildings near The Reformation pub, Kidmore End Church of England Primary School and The Warwick School, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Tilehurst station, roughly 3.3 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Battle Hospital (4.1 miles south). For a walk, there is Hartslock.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Gallowstree Common
Is Gallowstree Common within the area you cover?
Yes, Gallowstree Common is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
How do I find out if my home in Gallowstree Common is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Is a roof survey worth having alongside a home survey?
It depends on the roof and how confident you want to be. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that is where a roof survey helps. It does not stand in for a RICS survey.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
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. How the seller responds is up to them.
When is the best time to have the roof checked when buying?
After your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. That way you can still act on what we find, whether that means asking questions or negotiating.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Gallowstree Common?
Blocked or leaking gutters do damage that isn’t obvious at first. Overflowing water soaks walls and can rot the timber behind. Valley and parapet gutters can overflow inside the house. They’re part of what we check.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
If you let a flat or house near Tilehurst station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Their track record with similar roofs
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Which limits apply to the survey
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Gallowstree Common
We confirm the price for the job before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The size of the roof
- Basic, Standard or Premium
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
What we need to know
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- What made you get in touch
- The address and postcode of the property
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will ask a few questions about the roof. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
For landlords and managing agents
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
What happens on the day
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours for most houses, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. For a village or hamlet like Gallowstree Common, the journey is planned in advance: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller, including the loft.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from ground level and from 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.
How to prepare
- Let us know about parking near the property
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
Book a survey
If you’re buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.