Reading · London and the South East
Roof survey in Whitley, Reading
Need a roof survey in Whitley? We can help, with a written report you can act on. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
About our roof survey in Whitley
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, yet nails, battens and underlay often fail first. A survey shows which parts of your roof are wearing. Knowing that helps you plan work before it becomes urgent. We survey natural slate, ridges, hips and valleys and lead flashings, and common reasons people get in touch are cracked or blistered flat roof coverings and flashings that have come away from the wall.
Houses in smaller places like Whitley can face open ground, where wind and driving rain hit the roof harder. That weather tells first on ridges, verges, chimneys and flashings. Checking those edges shows whether anything has begun to work loose. Once one ridge tile or slate moves, wind gets under the next one too.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Where
- Whitley (RG2, RG1, RG19)
- Region
- Reading
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Useful tips for Whitley property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Keep the report with your property records
- Move stored items away from the loft hatch
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Watch for slipped slates after bad weather
If you need work done, the report gives roofers a clear brief. The photos show what we found and where, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Condensation builds up when air can’t move, which can dampen timbers and insulation over time. Make sure insulation does not block the airflow at the eaves.
The survey, step by step
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. All told, expect about one to two hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. A visit to Whitley is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed in advance. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- 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 each safe vantage point outside.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there is safe access.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
Booking a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Advice
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. Access is agreed with the tenant beforehand.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work with less disruption.
What we look for on each type of roof
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but its nails often corrode first. Slipped, cracked and missing slates are all noted, and for clips that show past repairs.
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings and valleys are where many leaks start. They get particular attention in every survey.
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Which survey package you book
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
Prices start from £150, including VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400. We confirm the price for the job before booking.
Getting in touch
Before you get in touch, it is useful to have:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Anything about access we should know
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Whitley: your questions answered
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Reading Green Park station?
Yes, that is a common request. We just need to know who will give access, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
How do I find out if my home in Whitley is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We will rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
Is a roof survey the same as a structural survey?
No. We report on the roof’s condition, and the Standard and Premium packages include a structural check. It does not include structural calculations, which need an engineer.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
How do I arrange a roof survey in Whitley?
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us the address and what you’d like to know. We will confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Also near Whitley
Other services in Whitley
What a roof survey looks like in Whitley
What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. Your council and Historic England’s list will tell you where you stand. If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
If you look after a building such as John Madejski Academy, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. The streets around a church such as St Agnes are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look. Living close to Pearman's Copse is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn.
Whitley is about 1 mile west of Earley, in Reading. If you are in Whitley, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Whitley is one of the places in Reading where we work.
Here we cover the RG2, RG1 and RG19 postcode area for roof surveys. You’ll find streets such as Litton Road, Totnes Road and Winton Road, all of which we cover. We also cover the places around Whitley: Whitley Wood (1 mile south), Earley (1 mile east), Green Park (1 mile west), Great Lea Common (1 mile south-west) and Reading (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Caversham (3 miles north), Norcot (4 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (4 miles north-west), Arborfield Garrison (4 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (4 miles north) and Horncastle (3 miles north-west).
Around Whitley
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to World Turned Upside Down pub, Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School and Pearman's Copse and the streets around them. Also close by are Crosfields School (0.7 miles south-east) and University of Reading library (1.1 miles north-east). For rail, the closest station is Reading Green Park station, roughly 1.7 miles west. A little further out are Royal Berkshire Hospital (1.6 miles north) and The Oracle (1.8 miles north). Open spaces near Whitley include Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and Sonning Hill.
Can I check my roof myself?
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.