Reading · London and the South East
Fords Farm Thermal Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? You can book a thermal roof survey in Fords Farm and across Reading.
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Thin or uneven insulation in the roof
- Stains that keep coming back
Thermal roof survey in Fords Farm: what you get
A thermal survey isn’t a quick fix for every roof problem. Sun, shade, reflective surfaces and wind can all change what the camera shows. That is why we check findings with moisture readings and a close visual inspection. Our report says plainly what the camera picked up and how sure we can be. If a finding cannot be confirmed, the report suggests a next step. If you’ve noticed cold areas below the roof and wet areas near outlets and upstands, we can find out what’s behind it, on ceilings below the roof, pitched roof slopes and insulated roof spaces alike.
Even in a smaller place like Fords Farm, there may be airfields or restrictions nearby, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Open ground can mean stronger wind, which also affects whether a small drone can fly. Each flight is planned with neighbours’ privacy in mind, as well as the airspace and the wind.
Report times depend on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Where
- Fords Farm (RG30, RG31)
- Region
- Reading
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Wet insulation under a flat roof doesn’t dry out on its own while the covering stays on. In time, it stops insulating properly and can damage the deck. Finding them early can mean a smaller job. In a smaller place like Fords Farm, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing does not stay loose for long. Each storm lifts it a little further.
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why book with us
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- An independent look at the roof
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Surveys on any day of the week
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Which survey package you book
Prices start from £150, inc. VAT, for a Basic Survey. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both inc. VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before you book.
What we need to know
You do not need to know any roofing terms. It’s enough to let us know:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- What’s prompted the survey
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- When you need the report by
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 talk you through the options and what they cost.
Honest limits
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
- The condition of timbers we cannot see
- A formal energy assessment
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we check
- Commercial roofs
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
- Flat roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Ceilings below the roof
Airspace, weather and Fords Farm roofs
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Mapledurham House, about 3.1 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Fords Farm. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you look after a building such as Kennet Valley Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near St Matthew's, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof frequently shows up clearly on a thermal image. Shop and office owners around Broad Street Mall may find that large commercial roofs are frequently easiest to see by drone or thermal camera.
Fords Farm is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Whether the building in Fords Farm is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof. Fords Farm is one of the places in Reading we cover.
Postcode districts we cover here for thermal roof surveys: RG30 and RG31. If you need a thermal roof survey at a property on Low Lane, Mill Lane and Bath Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out thermal roof surveys in Horncastle (1 mile north), Southcote (1 mile east), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south), Beansheaf Farm (1 mile west) and Calcot (1 mile west). We also work in nearby towns such as Caversham (4 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north-east), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (6 miles north).
Local landmarks in Fords Farm
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Prospect School, Elvian School and The Cunning Man pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Reading Green Park station, roughly 1.4 miles south-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Battle Hospital (1.7 miles north-east) and Beaumys Castle (4.8 miles south-east). Not far away are Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and South Lake.
Also near Fords Farm
Also in Fords Farm
What you can safely check yourself
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: 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.
The survey, step by step
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the roof as can safely be seen and record it clearly. Notes and photos go into the written report. The visit typically takes about one to two hours for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. A visit to a smaller place like Fords Farm is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- First we go over the roof, the problem you’ve noticed and the conditions forecast for the visit.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof itself where it’s safe.
- Thermal images are taken to show differences in surface temperature.
- Any patterns of interest are checked with moisture readings where we can reach them.
- The report sets out the images, what they suggest and what we recommend.
Before we arrive
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Keep pets in another room
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Getting a price
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can ring 07833 053749 or email us to find out.
Read more
FAQs for Fords Farm
Do you cover Fords Farm?
Yes, Fords Farm is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and the South East. You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Fords Farm?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We note visible signs such as sagging or deflection, but we are not structural engineers and don’t carry out calculations. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
How does a thermal imaging roof survey work?
It records surface temperature across the roof. Differences can suggest wet areas, missing insulation or heat loss, and we check them with moisture readings.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. We inspect what can be seen safely: from ground level, from windows and vantage points, from the roof space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where applicable. The report says if anything couldn’t be seen.
Can a thermal survey trace a roof leak?
It can help narrow down where water may be getting in. Patterns can suggest where trapped water has spread. We combine it with a visual inspection and moisture readings because the camera cannot confirm water on its own.
How the survey changes by roof type
Single-ply and EPDM roofs
Thin membranes can show patterns from the layers beneath. Reflections from shiny surfaces can affect readings, which we allow for.
GRP fibreglass roofs
GRP surfaces can be shiny, which affects thermal readings. We allow for reflections and confirm findings with moisture readings.