West Berkshire · London and the South East
Roof survey in Chapel Row, West Berkshire
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out roof surveys in Chapel Row and across West Berkshire, with plain-English findings.
- Loose chimney pots
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
How a roof survey works in Chapel Row
Roofs vary a lot across London and South East England. A Victorian or Edwardian terrace may have slate, a central valley gutter and parapet walls, while many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles. We adapt the survey to the roof in front of us. Some older homes have clay tiles, and many have a flat-roofed extension as well. Every part gets the attention it needs. We survey flat roofs, natural slate and chimney stacks, and common reasons people get in touch are leaking gutter joints and downpipes and worn or blocked valleys.
In a small place like Chapel Row, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Where
- Chapel Row (RG7)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we are asked to look at in Chapel Row
Not every roof problem comes from outside. Poor ventilation lets condensation build up in the loft, wetting timbers and insulation. It is often mistaken for a leak.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Standing water on a flat roof
If you let a flat or house near Midgham station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
What to check before booking
- What they will not be able to tell you
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Whether VAT is added on top
What we cannot see
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- How the roof will behave in every kind of weather
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- The roof space
- Flat roofs
- Lead flashings
How we price roof surveys
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- House, block, shop or office
- Height and safe access
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What to tell us when you get in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- When you need the report by
- What’s prompted the survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
FAQs for Chapel Row
Is my home in Chapel Row listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Midgham station?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can typically go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
Do you go up on the roof?
When the roof and the conditions make it safe, yes. We also use views from ground level, windows and the roof space, and Premium includes a drone where applicable.
How long does a roof survey take?
It usually takes about one to two hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Report times depend on the package.
Does a roof survey replace a structural engineer?
No. Where we see something that needs a structural engineer, the report says so. Our survey is not a structural engineer’s report.
Before and after the survey
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
- Make sure we can open the loft hatch
- Leave roof access to professionals
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
We email the report to you. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Each finding is set out in plain English.
Every so often, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Watch for stains, damp timbers and daylight through the roof. Photograph anything new.
What we do, step by step
We check the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. For a village or hamlet like Chapel Row, the journey is planned ahead of time: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. 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.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- Outside, we inspect from ground level, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there’s safe access.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Keep pets in another room
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Places near Chapel Row
More services for Chapel Row
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof coverings
Standing water, blisters and splits all point to wear. We also look at the edges, upstands and outlets, since leaks often start there.
Natural slate
From the loft, we check the underside of a slate roof. Older roofs may have bitumen felt underlay, and very old roofs none.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Chapel Row
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
If you look after a building such as Woolhampton C.E. Primary School, large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other. If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Douai Abbey Church, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Chapel Row is about 4 miles east of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. From houses to flats and shops in Chapel Row, the roof can be surveyed. Our area takes in places right across West Berkshire, large and small. You can also see our page for Reading.
Roof surveys in RG7 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Streets in the area include Hatch Close, Paradise Lane and Hatch Lane. If you are just outside Chapel Row, we cover Upper Woolhampton (1 mile south-east), Midgham Green (1 mile south-west), Beenham (1 mile east), Tutts Clump (1 mile north-east) and Beenham Stocks (2 miles east). We also work in nearby towns like Newbury (6 miles west), Thatcham (4 miles west), Burghfield Common (5 miles east), Speenhamland (6 miles west), Hungerford (15 miles west) and Spencers Wood (9 miles east).
Around Chapel Row
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Bladebone Inn and the streets around them. Chapel Row’s nearest station is Midgham station, roughly 1.7 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include West Berkshire Community Hospital (5 miles west) and Yattendon Castle (3.5 miles north). Open spaces near Chapel Row include Hosehill Lake and Nature Discovery Centre.