Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Roof Survey in Lower Shiplake
Roof surveys in Lower Shiplake from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Flashings that have come away from the wall
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
How a roof survey works in Lower Shiplake
There’s no single reason to have a roof surveyed. Some have spotted a stain or a slipped slate, while others just want to know where they stand. The approach is the same in each case: we inspect carefully and explain what we see in writing. We survey on weekdays and at weekends, so finding a time is rarely difficult. If you’re worried about worn or blocked valleys and worn lead at chimneys and abutments, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
The report is written in plain words, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Each point is backed by a photo where possible.
- Place
- Lower Shiplake (RG9)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips that help
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Photograph stains when they appear
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Hold on to the report for future surveys
- Stay off ladders and the roof
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. It’s a chance to ask questions about anything in the report.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Look for water marks, damp wood and chinks of light. Take photos of anything that changes.
For landlords and managing agents
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, with the most urgent items set out first.
Lower Shiplake questions
Can a landlord with a rental near Shiplake station book a roof survey?
Yes, letting agents and landlords book with us as well as owners. You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details, including who will give access on the day.
Is Lower Shiplake within the area you cover?
Yes. Lower Shiplake is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
What do you check on a roof survey?
Every part of the roof we can safely see: coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys, gutters and the loft. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check, and Premium adds thermal imaging and a drone where it applies.
Is a roof survey the same as a structural survey?
No. If we see signs that need an engineer, such as serious sagging, we will say so. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it’s applicable and safe, yes. We are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In high wind or heavy rain, a drone cannot fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.
What we are asked to look at in Lower Shiplake
Chimneys stand exposed above the roof. Mortar crumbles, the flaunching around the pots cracks and stacks can lean. Water that gets into a stack can show up as damp in the rooms below.
We are often asked to look at:
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Leaning or weathered chimney stacks
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
Landlords with a home close to Shiplake station may find that a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- How soon the report will arrive
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
Roof surveys around Lower Shiplake
Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Greenlands lies about 3.6 miles north, so building around Lower Shiplake goes back a long way. If your house is among the older ones, the roof may have been repaired many times, and the survey records how each part is holding up. If you live near a park such as Mill Meadows, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls.
Lower Shiplake is about 4 miles north of Woodley, in Oxfordshire. We provide roof surveys for homes and businesses in Lower Shiplake. Lower Shiplake is one of the towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover. We also survey roofs in Reading.
Roof surveys in RG9 are booked the same way as anywhere else. You’ll find streets such as Station Road, Oaks Road and Quarry Lane, all of which we cover. Lower Shiplake is on the A4155, which makes it simple to reach. We also cover Wargrave (1 mile south-east), Cockpole Green (2 miles north-east), Remenham Hill (2 miles north), Bowsey Hill (2 miles east) and Remenham (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Benson (12 miles north-west), Chinnor (13 miles north), Tilehurst (7 miles south-west), Wallingford (12 miles north-west), Little Heath (8 miles south-west) and Oakley (13 miles north).
What’s near Lower Shiplake
Typical jobs here are in homes near Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School, The Baskerville pub and Mill Meadows. There is a railway station in Lower Shiplake itself: Shiplake station. Nearby you’ll also find Frazer Nash Archives (1.3 miles north) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (5.2 miles south-west). The countryside around Lower Shiplake includes South Lake and Sonning Hill.
Also near Lower Shiplake
What else we do in Lower Shiplake
How we price roof surveys
Our packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Helping us price your survey
We will typically ask about:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- What made you get in touch
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, tell us about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
How it works
After the inspection, everything we found is written up as a photo-illustrated written report, sent to you by email. On timing, most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Older roofs in small places like Lower Shiplake can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- You pick the package that suits your roof.
- We arrive at the agreed time and talk through any concerns.
- Coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- The report is emailed with findings and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
How to book
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Advice
What a roof survey doesn’t cover
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, so a survey has limits:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Flat roofs