Thatching Ireland, Michael Davies, professional water reed thatcher, Daingean, Co. Offaly. Email care@thatchingireland.com.
The plan is for water reed thatched homes on mainland Ireland only. We do not inspect or cover straw or any other thatch material. Inspections on offshore islands will incur extra costs, quoted separately and agreed in writing before you join.
Each plan year includes one inspection visit, a written condition report with photos, estimated costs for recommended work, private access to Ask Mike and the advice library, and priority call-out after named storms, plus any extras you choose. Inspections are carried out by Michael Davies or a trained member of his team. Mike plans his visits in trips around the country and confirms your inspection date with you; if the date does not suit, you agree another one together. Thatching is weather work, and things like bluestone spraying or painting cannot be done in rain, so a date may need to move at short notice. The yearly fee covers travel, the inspection, sorting the photos, writing the report and preparing estimates afterwards.
A visual inspection of the thatch and its fire safety points, from the ground and from a ladder, by a professional water reed thatcher. It is not a structural survey, not a building survey and not an insurance certificate. We do not test electrics, chimneys or flues; we record what we can see and what the owner shows us.
Your yearly price is confirmed by Mike in writing before you pay. Prices are shown including VAT. Payment is by card or bank transfer. Costs for repair and maintenance work in your report are estimates, not fixed prices. The final cost is confirmed with you in writing before any work starts, and is charged at the member rate.
You may cancel within 14 days of joining for a full refund. If you ask us to book your visit within those 14 days and the visit has taken place, we may keep a fair amount for the work done.
Any major work by Michael Davies on a water reed roof (new thatch, rethatch, reridge or repair) includes one free year of the Thatch Care Plan, worth up to €1,100 including VAT. The free year covers the yearly inspection, the written report, the paperwork and estimates only. The free year inspection happens near the end of the free year, about 11 months after the work is completed, just before the 20-day renewal reminder. It does not include any repairs or maintenance work. Any work recommended is given as an estimate, and the final cost is confirmed with you before any work starts. The free year expires at the end of the year in the same way as a paid plan, with no obligation and no automatic renewal. The free plan has no cash value and the mainland Ireland and offshore island terms above still apply.
Yearly rates are reviewed each January in line with the Irish CSO Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current rates and the date of the last review are shown publicly on the Pricing page. Members get at least 30 days’ notice of any change. Your price does not change during a plan year you have already signed up for.
Every plan, paid or free, lasts one year and then expires. Plans never renew automatically. Each plan year includes a once-per-year inspection. We email you a reminder 20 days before your plan expires, with an easy link to renew for another year at the going yearly rate. If you do nothing, your plan simply ends.
If we find anything urgent we tell you on the day and confirm it in writing the same day. Decisions on work remain yours.
Please give safe access to the roof and keep pets indoors on the day. Visits may move for weather; we will rebook as soon as possible.
Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law. We are responsible for the care and skill of our inspection and work, not for hidden defects that could not be seen on the day.
Your record of care may be shared with a buyer at your request. If you sell your home during a plan, the rest of your current plan year can be transferred to the new owner free of charge. Please tell us the new owner’s details so we can set up their access.
