West Berkshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Longlane, West Berkshire
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Longlane. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Blocked or leaking gutters
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings are a common source of leaks, so we check each one closely. Any that need attention are photographed and explained.
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, yet the nails that fix it often give out first. When slates start to slip, corroded nails are often the reason, and we note how widespread it looks.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Longlane
Tall, steep or hidden roofs are hard to judge from the street. Our Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and, where it applies, a drone inspection, along with a same-day report. If airspace rules or the weather rule out a flight, we will say so and look from ground level, windows and the loft instead. We survey flat-roofed extensions and dormers, lead flashings and valleys and the roof space, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are chimney mortar that has eroded and patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem.
For a small place like Longlane, the visit is planned like any other: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when you book, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you are buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Visits can be booked on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Where
- Longlane (RG18)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- 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
Why get it checked now?
Sellers aren’t always aware of roof problems. The forms they complete only show what they’re aware of. An independent look tells you how the roof is now. Outbuildings and barns around Longlane are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
Why us?
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Surveys seven days a week
- PI and public liability insurance
Read what a roof survey costs or two real surveys.
Before and after the survey
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Mention any deadline when you get in touch
- Arrange the survey as soon as your offer is agreed
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
- Ask the agent to make sure the loft hatch can be opened
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the defects and where they are, so each quote covers the same ground.
Keep an eye on chimneys and flashings in your new home. Watch for gaps in the pointing, cracked flaunching and loose lead. A pair of binoculars from the garden shows a lot.
Also in Longlane
Can I check my roof myself?
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Longlane: your questions answered
Is my home in Longlane listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is Longlane in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Longlane as anywhere else.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
How many surveys have you done?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
That depends on how much you want to know about the roof. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that is where a roof survey helps. It isn’t a replacement for a RICS survey.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
What happens on the day
We’ll ask a few questions first, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Somewhere like Longlane needs a little journey planning: let us know about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect what can safely be seen, inside and out.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- We agree a visit, including weekends if that helps.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- 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.
Before the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Note where any stains or damp appear
How to book
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or email us. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Read more
What affects the price in Longlane
Survey packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Which survey package you book
- The size of the roof
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What to let us know when you contact us
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- What’s prompted the survey
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Local roofs and buyers in Longlane
Historic houses such as Shaw House, about 2.7 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Longlane goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you own a rental within reach of Newbury Racecourse station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. The streets around a church such as Holy Trinity are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
Longlane is about 3 miles north of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. We provide pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Longlane and nearby. Longlane is one of the towns and villages in West Berkshire where we work. For surveys nearby, see our Reading page.
All of RG18 is within our area for pre-purchase roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Whether your property is on Sandy Close, Long Lane and Curridge Piece or anywhere close by, we can help. Close by, we survey roofs in Curridge (1 mile west), Hermitage (1 mile north-east), Wellhouse (1 mile east), Oare (1 mile north) and Little Hungerford (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include Newbury (4 miles south-west), Thatcham (3 miles south), Burghfield Common (10 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles south-west), Hungerford (10 miles west) and Spencers Wood (14 miles east).
Local landmarks in Longlane
We work in homes and buildings around The Bunk Inn and the streets around them. The closest station to Longlane is Newbury Racecourse station, roughly 3.3 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include West Berkshire Community Hospital (2.7 miles south) and British Balloon Museum & Library Ltd (3.4 miles south-west). For a walk, there is Snelsmore Common.