London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Reading
Wherever you are in Reading, we can carry out thermal roof surveys. Clear prices including VAT, and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Where we work in Reading
In short: thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof. Every town and village has its own page, listed below. To book, call 07833 053749.
Biggest towns in Reading
Thermal roof surveys across Reading: what to expect
A thermal survey can point to places where heat is escaping through the roof. Gaps in loft insulation and poorly insulated areas can stand out on the images. The difference shows most clearly when it’s warm inside and cold outside. The report shows the images and explains what they may mean. We do not give energy ratings or heat loss calculations. We survey insulated roof spaces, pitched roof slopes and flat roofs, and people most often book us about stains that keep coming back and thin or uneven insulation in the roof.
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes an hour or two for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
What affects the price in Reading
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £400, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book with us
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Prices that include VAT
- Photos and a written report every time
Book a survey
To book a survey, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Around Caversham
In Caversham, that means homes and buildings near Eldon Square, Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre and Chiltern Nursery Nurse Training School, among other places. Also close by are The Hill Primary School (less than half a mile north-east), Grace Church (less than half a mile east) and The White Horse pub (within half a mile north). For rail, the closest station is Reading station, about 1.3 miles south. A little further out are Royal Berkshire Hospital (1.9 miles south) and Broad Street Mall (1.6 miles south). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and Sonning Hill.
Thermal roof surveys across Reading: local notes
Airspace across Reading varies from one address to the next, with restriction zones around some airports and other sites. Each flight is planned against the Drone Safety Map and the forecast.
Our area covers London and South East England, including Reading. London and South East England have homes from every era, from period terraces to post-war new towns and new estates.
Caversham: If you run a business near Broad Street Mall, a commercial roof can be photographed from above without anyone walking on it. Mapledurham House lies about 3 miles west, so building around Caversham goes back a long way. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey from above or with a thermal imager doesn’t touch the roof itself.
How the survey changes by roof type
Single-ply and EPDM roofs
Because these membranes are thin, patterns from below frequently show. Reflections from shiny surfaces can affect readings, which we allow for.
Pitched slate and tile roofs
On pitched roofs, slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s happening underneath. We back up what the camera shows with a look in the loft where we can.
What a survey doesn’t cover
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
- What’s inside walls or under coverings, without opening up
- An energy rating for the building
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Roof area
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
Prices start from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, inc. VAT, and we’ll tell you which fits.
Helping us price your survey
We will typically ask about:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- The address and postcode of the property
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Why get it checked now?
Before replacing a large flat roof, it’s useful to know how much of it is actually wet. Thermal imaging, checked with moisture readings, gives a clearer picture before you commit.
Before you book any surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Why roofs fail
Cold rooms under a roof, or high heating bills, lead some people to ask about heat loss. Gaps in loft insulation and poorly insulated roof areas can show up on the camera, especially when it’s warm inside and cold outside.
Look out for signs like these:
- Thin or uneven insulation in the roof
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
Common questions in Reading
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Will I get photos?
Yes. The report includes photographs of what we found.
Can you use a thermal camera on a sloping roof?
On pitched roofs, the camera can point to heat loss and some damp patterns. Our report is clear about what can be read from them, and we check them with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
How long will you be at the property?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take about one to two hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
What conditions are best for thermal imaging?
The weather makes a real difference. It works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind. Rain and strong wind can make the images less clear, so we discuss the forecast when booking.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we are given access to.
What does the report include?
A written report with photos, covering the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend, by urgency where it matters. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.