West Berkshire · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Chieveley, West Berkshire
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof across Chieveley, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
- Stains that keep coming back
How a thermal roof survey works in Chieveley
Thermal imaging is a useful tool, but it has limits. It shows surface temperature, and things like sun, shade, reflections and wind all affect the readings. We back up the images with moisture readings and a careful look at the roof. Our report says plainly what the camera picked up and how sure we can be. Where something can’t be confirmed, we say what would help next. Common reasons to book are wet insulation beneath the membrane and ceilings that feel colder in places, across insulated roof spaces, flat roofs and ceilings below the roof.
In a village or hamlet like Chieveley, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what cannot be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at ahead of the visit, and the journey is planned in advance. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photograph where possible, and recommendations are put by urgency where it matters.
- Location
- Chieveley (RG20)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Drones, thermal imaging and Chieveley roofs
Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from the ground, drone photos and thermal images add detail. Shaw House, about 3.6 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Chieveley. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Take a building like Chieveley Primary School: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that is where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Chieveley is about 5 miles north of Newbury, in West Berkshire. We visit Chieveley as part of our work across West Berkshire, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Chieveley is one of the towns and villages in West Berkshire where we work. Our Reading page covers surveys nearby.
We cover every part of RG20 for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. If you need a thermal roof survey at a property on High Street, East Lane and Sowbury Park or a nearby road, we can survey it. Close by, we survey roofs in Downend (1 mile north), North Heath (1 mile west), World's End (2 miles north-east), Winterbourne (2 miles south-west) and Peasemore (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Newbury (5 miles south), Thatcham (5 miles south-east), Burghfield Common (12 miles east), Speenhamland (4 miles south), Hungerford (9 miles west) and Calcot (12 miles east).
Around Chieveley
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Wheatsheaf pub, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Newbury Racecourse station, roughly 4.5 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Donnington Castle (3.2 miles south) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (4.1 miles south). The countryside around Chieveley includes Snelsmore Common.
Also near Chieveley
What else we do in Chieveley
Leave it or get it looked at?
Buyers get extra information from thermal images that the eye can miss. Hidden problems found before exchange can be raised with the seller or agent. Older cottages and farmhouses around Chieveley can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why us?
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Tips that help
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
- Don’t climb onto the roof to look for leaks yourself
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
The report explains the conditions on the day and how they affected the images. It helps you judge how firm each finding is.
Check loft insulation covers the whole area and hasn’t been disturbed. Gaps often appear after work in the loft.
Checking the roof from ground level
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
What happens on the day
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes about one to two hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a hamlet or village like Chieveley, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- 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.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Getting ready for the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Getting a price
If you are buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email when you are ready.
Related advice
When you need someone else
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, so a survey has limits:
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
- Confirming water without moisture readings
- Insulation values or heat loss calculations
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Loft conversions
- Commercial roofs
- Flat roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
Common questions in Chieveley
Will you come out to Chieveley?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Chieveley?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
Our Premium Survey, from £400, includes thermal imaging. You also get an in-person consultation and a 12-month follow-up. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for their size.
Can a thermal survey trace a roof leak?
It often helps show where to look. Water can travel under a covering before it shows inside, and temperature patterns can help follow it. It is used alongside a close inspection and moisture readings, as the camera alone can’t prove a leak.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it is safe. Safety comes first, and fragile or steep roofs can’t always be walked on. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where applicable, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
What does the report include?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. Points are put in order of urgency where relevant.
What affects the price in Chieveley
To price your survey, we check:
- House, block, shop or office
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, from £400 inc. VAT. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
What we need to know
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It helps to include:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.