Slipped or damaged tiles and slates
Missing, slipped, cracked or delaminating coverings, and nail fatigue causing slates to work loose across a slope.
RICS survey
Drone Roof Surveys
Roofs fail from the top down, and most of a roof cannot be seen from the ground. A drone inspection captures close-range imagery of coverings, chimneys and high-level detailing, interpreted by a chartered surveyor.
Trustpilot
4.7
Excellent • 1k Reviews
Experienced Chartered Surveyors
Drone Roof Inspection Included
With RICS Level 3 Building Surveys
Drone Roof Survey is usually suitable for
- Roofs that cannot be viewed adequately from ground level
- Chimney stacks, parapets and high-level detailing
- Suspected roof defects or unexplained water ingress
- Properties where scaffolding or access equipment is impractical
- Owners planning roof repairs who need to see the condition first
Consider another service if
- Properties in restricted airspace or with no safe take-off position
- Situations where an internal condition survey is what is actually needed
- Any inspection that requires the roof covering to be opened up
WHAT WE INSPECT FROM THE AIR
Close-range coverage of the whole roof, not just the front slope.
The drone is flown around the building to capture the elements that ground-level inspection routinely misses.
Roof Coverings
Tiles, slates and coverings across every accessible slope
Chimneys
Stacks, pots, flaunching and the surrounding detailing
Flashings & Abutments
Lead flashings, soakers, mortar fillets and wall junctions
Ridges, Hips & Verges
Ridge and hip tiles, bedding mortar, verges and dry-fix systems
Rainwater Goods
Gutters, hopper heads, outlets and high-level downpipes
High-Level External Areas
Parapets, dormers, flat roof areas, valleys and upper elevations
What you receive
- High-resolution roof imagery
- Professional surveyor interpretation
- Visible defects identified
- Photographic evidence
- Recommended action
- Further investigation where required
WHY USE A DRONE?
See the parts of the roof that are difficult to see from the ground.
From street level, most of a pitched roof is hidden by its own geometry. Rear slopes, valleys, chimney backs and flat roof areas over extensions are frequently impossible to assess properly with binoculars from the garden.
A drone flies close to those elements and records them in high resolution, without scaffolding, ladders or a roofer walking across a covering that may already be fragile.
The imagery is then reviewed by a chartered surveyor, who interprets what it shows and reports on the condition of the areas inspected.
Close-range, not distant
Detail that simply is not visible from ground level — individual slipped slates, cracked flaunching, failed pointing to a stack.
Safer than access equipment
No ladders, towers or roof access, and no risk of damaging a covering that may already be at the end of its life.
Evidence you can keep
The imagery supports the findings and can be shared with a roofing contractor when obtaining quotations.
WHAT CAN A DRONE ROOF SURVEY FIND?
The defects that usually start above head height.
Every property is different, but these are the findings that most often justify a close-range aerial inspection.
Failed or deteriorated flashings
Defective lead flashings, cracked mortar fillets and open abutment details where the roof meets a wall or stack.
Chimney deterioration
Eroded mortar joints, cracked flaunching, damaged pots and leaning or spalling brickwork to the stack.
Defective pointing and mortar
Weathered ridge and hip bedding, eroded pointing to high-level brickwork and open joints allowing water in.
Flat roof defects
Ponding water, blistering, splits at laps and tired patch repairs to felt or single-ply coverings over extensions and dormers.
High-level rainwater and external defects
Blocked or misaligned gutters, leaking joints, vegetation growth and staining indicating persistent overflow.
IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS
When can't we fly?
Drone operation is a regulated activity and every flight is subject to conditions on the day. We will always tell you honestly if a flight cannot go ahead, and discuss the alternatives with you.
- Weather conditions on the day of the inspection
- Wind speeds above safe operating limits
- Rain, low cloud or poor visibility
- Airspace restrictions, including proximity to airports
- Flight safety and the absence of a safe take-off and landing position
- Privacy considerations affecting neighbouring properties
- Site conditions, obstructions, trees and overhead cables
- Legal and regulatory restrictions applying at the location
We never promise in advance that a flight will take place. Where a drone cannot be flown, the surveyor will use the best alternative inspection method reasonably available and explain what could and could not be seen.
MORE THAN A FOLDER OF PHOTOGRAPHS
Imagery is the evidence. The advice is the point.
High-resolution imagery
Close-range photographs of the roof and high-level elements captured during the flight.
Surveyor interpretation
A chartered surveyor reviews the imagery and explains what it actually shows.
Visible defects identified
Findings are described element by element rather than left for you to spot.
Photographic evidence
Each finding is supported by the image it came from, so nothing is asserted without evidence.
Recommended action
What should be attended to, and how urgent it appears to be on the evidence available.
Further investigation
Where a closer or opened-up inspection is needed, we say so and explain who should carry it out.
How it works
Your drone roof survey in four simple steps
High resolution aerial inspection of roofs, chimneys and high level elements that cannot be seen safely from the ground.
1
Get a quote
Tell us the property location and roof form, and we'll check airspace restrictions and provide a fixed quotation.
2
We plan the flight
We confirm CAA compliance, insurance, permissions and a suitable weather window, and agree access with neighbours where needed.
3
We fly and capture
A qualified operator captures high resolution stills and video of roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, valleys, gutters and parapets.
4
Your annotated report
You receive annotated aerial imagery with a surveyor's commentary on defects, urgency and recommended repairs.
Ready to get started?
Get a quote →FAQs
Drone Roof Survey questions
Other services
You may also need
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
Recommended for older, altered, unusual or higher-risk properties.
RICS Level 2 Home Survey
Suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition.
Subsidence & Structural Movement Inspection
Independent inspection and advice where movement is suspected.
Coverage
Drone Roof Survey across the UK
Choose your region to see local property notes and the surveyors covering your area.
Buying a Property?Know What You're Buying Before You Commit.
0161 729 1876 · 0203 962 4592 · Monday to Friday, 9am – 5.30pm