Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Roof survey in Donnington, Oxfordshire
A careful look at the roof at your property in Donnington, with photographs and a written report.
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
Roof survey in Donnington
Many homes have several roofs, not just one. Rear extensions, dormers, porches and garages often have flat roofs. They’re included alongside the main roof, including signs of standing water, splits and tired upstands. Flat roofs often need attention long before the main roof. Felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber can last 30 to 50. Typical surveys look at torn or sagging underlay and worn or blocked valleys, on clay and concrete tiles, ridges, hips and valleys and natural slate.
Around Donnington, gardens, hedges and nearby trees can mean leaves and moss end up on roofs and in gutters. Blocked gutters overflow and soak the walls below. A report spots that kind of slow problem before it becomes damp inside. Moss on the roof and weeds in the gutter are both easy to spot from ground level.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Donnington (OX4, OX1)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What a roof survey looks like in Donnington
Older buildings in west Oxfordshire frequently have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Whatever the covering, it’s often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Holywell Manor, about 1.4 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Donnington. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done. Living close to South Park is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. Take a building like Larkrise Primary School: a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Donnington is about 1 mile south of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. If you’re in Donnington, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Every address in OX4 and OX1 is within our area for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof survey at a property on Meadow Lane, Arnold Road and Iffley Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Being close to the A4158, Donnington is simple for us to get to for roof surveys. We also cover Iffley (1 mile south-east), New Hinksey (1 mile west), Cowley (1 mile south-east), Oxford (1 mile north) and Redbridge (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Didcot (9 miles south), Bicester (12 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (5 miles south-west), Witney (12 miles west), Thame (11 miles east) and Wantage (13 miles south-west).
What’s near Donnington
Around Donnington, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Greyfriars Catholic School, Magdalen Arms and South Park and the streets around them. You’ll also find Alexander Library of Ornithology (1.1 miles north-west) and Emmanuel Christian School (1.3 miles south). Donnington’s nearest station is Oxford station, roughly 1.9 miles north-west. Nearby you will also find Warneford Hospital (1 mile north-east) and British Tattoo History Museum (0.5 miles north-east). The countryside around Donnington includes CS Lewis Nature Reserve and Headington Hill.
When you need someone else
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Lead flashings
- Flat roofs
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Natural slate
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photos included.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Damp on a chimney breast inside often starts with the stack outside. We look for the likely route in.
Flat roof coverings
Standing water, blisters and splits all point to wear. We also look at the edges, upstands and outlets.
Checking the roof from ground level
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
What happens on the day
We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof 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 homes, depending on how many separate roofs there are. In a smaller place like Donnington, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from ground level, with the loft showing the underside, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We look at the roof from every safe viewpoint outside.
- We then look in the loft for damp, staining and the condition of the underlay.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Find any records of previous roof work
Getting a price
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Read more
What affects the cost of roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Roof area
- House, block, shop or office
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Which survey package you book
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Getting in touch
We’ll typically ask about:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Also near Donnington
Also in Donnington
Donnington: your questions answered
Can a landlord with a rental near Oxford station book a roof survey?
Of course. We just need to know who will give access, and we can send the report to you or your agent.
How do I find out if my home in Donnington is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What does a roof survey include?
We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, along with the loft where it’s safe. You get a report with photographs and recommendations.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days as you book.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we’re given access to.
Is a roof survey the same as a structural survey?
No. Our survey looks at the condition of the roof, and Standard and Premium include structural checks. It doesn’t include structural calculations, which need an engineer.
Do you go up on the roof?
Where it’s safe, yes. We also inspect from the ground, from windows and vantage points, and from the loft. On Premium, a drone is used where it applies.