West Berkshire · London and the South East
Roof survey in Downend, West Berkshire
Roof surveys in Downend, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photographs.
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
Why act early in Downend
Planned work is less stressful than an emergency. With a report, you can tackle the urgent jobs first and plan the rest, rather than calling someone out after a storm. In a place like Downend, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, from £400 including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
What you get with us
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Prices that include VAT
- Photos and a written report every time
See what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Roof survey in Downend: what you get
The report is written for you, in plain language. Each defect is described with photographs and a recommendation, and where it is relevant we say what’s urgent and what can wait. With the Standard Survey you also get moisture detection and a structural check. Premium adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where it applies and a same-day report. Each report is emailed to you. We are often asked to look into worn lead at chimneys and abutments and ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs, across lead flashings, natural slate and clay and concrete tiles.
In a village or hamlet like Downend, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. We report on whatever is safely visible, and thatch is a specialist material. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs frequently need the most attention.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photograph where possible.
- Where
- Downend (RG20)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Local roofs in Downend
If the drone is used for your 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, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Whatever the covering, it is often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Chieveley Primary School, large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other.
Downend is about 5 miles north of Newbury, in West Berkshire. We provide roof surveys for homes and businesses in Downend and nearby. Downend is one of the towns and villages in West Berkshire where we work for roof surveys. Reading is in our area too.
Here we cover the RG20 postcode area for roof surveys. Local streets include Downend Lane, Bardown and Northfields, and we cover them all. We also cover the places around Downend: Chieveley (1 mile south), North Heath (1 mile south-west), World's End (1 mile north-east), Peasemore (2 miles north-west) and Beedon (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Newbury (5 miles south), Thatcham (5 miles south-east), Burghfield Common (12 miles south-east), Speenhamland (5 miles south), Hungerford (10 miles south-west) and Calcot (12 miles east).
Around Downend
Around Downend, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Wheatsheaf pub. A little further out are Hampstead Norris Castle (3.3 miles east) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (4.7 miles south). Open spaces near Downend include Snelsmore Common.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Downend
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
Signs you need a roof survey in Downend
The coverings are rarely the first thing to fail. On slate roofs, corroded nails let slates slip, which is known as ‘nail fatigue’. On tiled roofs, battens and pegs can rot, letting tiles move.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
With Shaw House about 4.2 miles south, the area around Downend has a long history. Older roofs nearby often mix original materials with later repairs, and the survey shows where each one is.
Before you book anyone
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Which limits apply to the survey
What a survey costs
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- What kind of property and roof it is
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead-lined valleys and gutters are common on older homes. Worn or split lead lets water straight in, and lead is a target for theft.
Flat roof coverings
Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber frequently lasts 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30. We check its condition and the signs of age.
What we do, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Older roofs in small places like Downend can have low, tight loft spaces, so it is useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You pick the package that suits your roof.
- On the day, we start by hearing what you’ve noticed.
- Coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Extra checks are carried out where your package includes them.
- You get a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Before the survey
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
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FAQs for Downend
How do I find out if my home in Downend is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Will you come out to Downend?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
Can you tell me how long my roof will last?
We do not put a figure on it, because so much depends on the fixings, underlay and upkeep. Instead, we set out what’s sound, what’s wearing and what to do first.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you when booking.
What do you check on a roof survey?
Slates or tiles, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are all checked, along with the loft where it’s safe. The report includes photos and recommendations.