This is a sample, so you can see what members get. Rose Cottage is not a real member’s home. The photos are from Mike’s own past work and the report details are made up for illustration.
| Property | Rose Cottage (sample), single-storey cottage |
| Thatch | Water reed with a block-cut ridge |
| Last full re-thatch | About 2009 (owner records) |
| Insurer asks for | Thatcher inspection every 5 years, chimney swept twice a year |
| Member since | 2024 |
Reports are kept in order by year. Members see these on their My Home page, with each report also available as a PDF. Costs for recommended work are always estimates, never fixed prices. The final cost is confirmed before any work starts.
The coat is sound for its age. The ridge has worn thin on the weather side and should be renewed within a year to protect the coat beneath. Fire safety points mostly good; a heat detector in the roof space is advised.
| Item | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ridge | Needs work |
| Main coat | Fair: about 12 to 15 years left |
| Eaves and verges | Good |
| Netting | Fair: two loose sections |
| Moss and debris | Fair |
| Birds and vermin | Good |
| Chimney height above thatch | Good: 1.4 m |
| Detectors in roof space | Not fitted: advised |
| Job | When | Estimated cost (sample) |
|---|---|---|
| Re-ridge in block-cut reed | Within 12 months | €4,800 inc. VAT |
| Re-fix netting, two sections | On the next visit | €180 inc. VAT |
| Fit heat detector in roof space | Owner to arrange with electrician | Not our work |
The owner chose the re-ridge and netting repair from the 2024 report. Mike confirmed the final cost before starting, and the work was done at the member rate in May. The roof is now in good order for its age.
| Item | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ridge | Renewed this year |
| Main coat | Fair: patched at two points |
| Eaves and verges | Good |
| Netting | Good: re-fixed |
| Moss and debris | Good: cleared |
| Birds and vermin | Good |
| Chimney height above thatch | Good |
| Detectors in roof space | Fitted: seen |
| Job | When | Estimated cost (sample) |
|---|---|---|
| Light moss clearing | Next year | Included at member visit |
| Check new ridge settles evenly | Next inspection | Included |
A good year. The new ridge has settled evenly. The main coat continues to wear normally. The owner has a clear plan and an insurer-ready record of care.
| Item | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ridge | Good: settled well |
| Main coat | Fair: about 10 to 13 years left |
| Eaves and verges | Good |
| Netting | Good |
| Moss and debris | Good |
| Birds and vermin | Good |
| Chimney height above thatch | Good |
| Detectors in roof space | Fitted: seen |
| Job | When | Estimated cost (sample) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluestone or moss treatment on north slope | Optional, next 2 years | €350 inc. VAT |
| Start planning re-thatch fund | Within 10 years | Estimate on request |
Every member also gets a one-page insurer letter each year and a downloadable PDF of the full report.
