Reading · London and the South East
Roof survey in Arborfield Cross, Reading
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings in Arborfield Cross. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
Roof survey in Arborfield Cross: what you get
Roof coverings last a long time, but not for ever. Natural slate can last 100 years or more, and clay and concrete tiles commonly 50 years or more, but the fixings and underlay beneath them often give out sooner. We tell you which parts are ageing and which are sound. That lets you plan work in good time rather than after a leak. We are frequently asked to look into worn lead at chimneys and abutments and ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs, on lead flashings, the roof space and flat roofs.
Somewhere as small as Arborfield Cross, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs frequently need the most attention.
Report times depend on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Where
- Arborfield Cross (RG2)
- Wider area
- Reading
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlord and commercial surveys in Arborfield Cross
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Arborfield Cross: your questions answered
Can a landlord with a rental near Winnersh station book a roof survey?
Yes. We survey roofs for landlords, letting agents and managing agents as well as owners. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you need, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Arborfield Cross?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you carry out asbestos surveys?
No. Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999, so older buildings may have it. We flag materials that could contain it, and a specialist asbestos surveyor should check them.
How many surveys have you done?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
Not as an exact number, because so much depends on the fixings, underlay and upkeep. What we do is explain the roof’s condition and what to deal with first.
When will the report arrive?
It depends on the package: within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. It is emailed to you.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If there’s a loft and safe access to it, yes. The loft space can show things the outside cannot, such as damp timbers, staining or daylight.
Signs you need a roof survey in Arborfield Cross
What’s under the slates or tiles is as important as the coverings themselves. Breathable roofing membranes came into use in the UK in the late 1990s, so many older roofs have bitumen felt underlay, and some very old roofs have no underlay at all. Felt that has torn or perished stops doing its job.
Look out for signs like these:
- Debris building up in roof valleys
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
Landlords with a home close to Winnersh station may find that a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
Questions to ask before you book
- Their insurance cover
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Will the report include photos?
How the survey changes by roof type
Natural slate
Slate is one of the most durable roof coverings, yet the nails holding it frequently fail long before the slate. Slipped, cracked and missing slates are all noted.
Chimney stacks
We check the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings of each stack. We note any lean or loose pots.
Places near Arborfield Cross
More services for Arborfield Cross
Should I look at the roof myself first?
You can learn a lot from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That is where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Valley gutters and parapet gutters are out of sight until they overflow. When they do, water comes straight into the house. We check them before they cause trouble. Older cottages and farmhouses around Arborfield Cross can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why book us in Arborfield Cross
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Package prices that include VAT
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- A written report with photos
What a roof survey looks like in Arborfield Cross
In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so the council is the place to ask.
The streets around a church like Church of St Bartholomew are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. Take a building like The Coombes Church of England Primary School: long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Arborfield Cross is about 3 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Reading. Surveys in Arborfield Cross work the same way as everywhere we cover: a close look at whatever is safely visible, photographs and a clear written report. Our Reading coverage includes Arborfield Cross.
Here we cover the RG2 postcode area for roof surveys. We offer roof surveys to properties on Eversley Road, Chamberlain Gardens and Melrose Gardens. Neighbouring places we cover for roof surveys include Farley Hill (2 miles south), Swallowfield (3 miles south-west), Spencers Wood (3 miles west), Riseley (3 miles south-west) and Bramshill (4 miles south). We also work in nearby towns like Caversham (6 miles north-west), Norcot (7 miles north-west), West Reading (6 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (7 miles north-west), Caversham Heights (7 miles north-west) and Horncastle (6 miles north-west).
Around Arborfield Cross
In Arborfield Cross, that means homes and buildings near Swan Inn, Shepperlands Farm Nature Reserve and Bohunt School Wokingham, among other places. The nearest railway station is Winnersh station, about 2.7 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Beaumys Castle (3.5 miles south-west) and Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (2 miles north). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and The Marshes Local Nature Reserve.
What happens on the day
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes between one and two hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Arborfield Cross often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You get in touch with the address and anything you’ve noticed.
- We agree a date, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where safe.
- Slates or tiles, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are all examined and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or send us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.