Drone roof surveys in Bromley and West Wickham See the whole roof without anyone climbing up
Steve flies the drone himself. You get clear photographs of chimneys, parapets, lead work and slopes, with every defect circled, before anyone puts up a ladder or a scaffold.
From £180 inc VAT
Drone roof surveys prices
Drone roof surveysPrices checked 22 October 2026
| Job | From, inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Roof survey | £180 | £150 + VAT |
- No ladders or scaffold to look
- Every defect circled on the photos
- Chimneys, parapets, lead and slopes
What a drone roof survey shows you
On a survey at Shooters Hill in October 2026, Steve photographed the chimney stack and pots from above, the lead where the chimney meets the parapet, the lead below the brick parapets and the slate slopes. Each defect was circled: a crack at the chimney, damaged parapet brickwork and lead, a lead flashing fault, a pipe on the rendered stack and a problem on the slates.
That means the conversation about what needs doing happens with the evidence in front of you, and only the parts that need work get scaffolded.
What a customer said
"They quickly identified the source of the problem and took the time to clearly explain what had gone wrong. They also showed us why a previous roof repair had been carried out incorrectly"
Rakhee D., five stars on Google, June 2026. Read every review"Before working at height you must work through these simple steps: avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so;"
Health and Safety Executive, Working at height: a brief guide (INDG401)
A drone survey is that first step put into practice. The looking is done from the ground, and the ladders only go up for the work itself.
Flat roof condition reports for insurers
Insurers don't like flat roofs, and some will ask for a condition report before they'll cover the risk of water getting in. That's how the Shooters Hill survey began: the customer's insurance company wanted the roof's condition in writing.
The drone showed the felt was still serviceable, so it didn't need replacing. The parapet walls were another matter: the bricks laid on edge along their tops had spalled. We rendered the parapets to stop the damage spreading, and the customer gets a written condition statement for the insurer once the work is done.
"Our drones are normally used for roof diagnostics."
Steve Ball, on Facebook
Diagnostics is the word that matters. The drone isn't there for a pretty aerial photo; it's how Steve finds the fault, and how you see it for yourself, before anyone puts up a ladder.
Roof reports for house buyers
When you buy a house with a RICS survey, the surveyor will quite often recommend that you obtain a specialist roof report before you buy. Steve has done quite a few of these. He flies the drone over the whole roof, so you see the chimney, the lead, the ridge and every slope close up, and you know about any problems, now or likely soon, before you commit.
A full homebuyer's roof condition report, using the drone, is £480 inc VAT (£400 + VAT). There is more on our homebuyer roof reports page.
"If there are issues with the roof it can run into tens of thousands!"
Steve Ball
Which is the point of looking first. A report that finds nothing gives you peace of mind; one that finds a worn-out roof gives you a figure to take back to the seller before you exchange, rather than a bill after you move in.
How high the drone flies
Steve's photographs of the Coney Hall estate were taken from 120 metres, the maximum legal height. For a roof survey he flies much lower and closer.
"Your drone or model aircraft must never be more than 120m (400ft) from the closest point of the earth's surface."
UK Civil Aviation Authority, The Drone and Model Aircraft Code
So the Coney Hall photographs were taken at the limit. A roof survey is the opposite: flown low and close, where a cracked flashing that's invisible from 120 metres fills the frame.
Drone roof surveys jobs we have done
Each one written up from Steve's own account of the job: what we found, what we did, and why.
Drone roof surveys questions
We do drone roof surveys in West Wickham, Beckenham, Bromley, Chislehurst, Orpington and Petts Wood, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Sydenham, and Westerham.
How much does a drone roof survey cost?
A roof survey starts from £180 inc VAT (£150 + VAT).
What can a drone survey see?
Chimney stacks and pots, lead flashings, parapets, valleys and slopes, all photographed close up, with each defect circled for you.
Is a drone survey instead of a visit?
The drone saves the ladders and scaffold while we look. If work is needed, we quote for it like any other job.
Do I get to see the photos?
Yes. You see the roof close up, with each defect circled, so you can judge it for yourself before anyone quotes.
Can a drone survey help with my insurer?
It can. The Shooters Hill survey started because the customer's insurer wanted the flat roof's condition in writing, and the customer gets a written condition statement once the work is done.
Can you do a roof report before I buy a house?
Yes. If your RICS surveyor recommends a specialist roof report, a full homebuyer's roof condition report using the drone is £480 inc VAT (£400 + VAT).
How high does the drone fly?
As high as the job needs. Steve took the Coney Hall photographs from 120 metres up, and closer work on a chimney or ridge is done much lower.
Want to see your roof up close?
Free quotes, and we visit within 2 days. No deposit. If it only needs a repair, we'll tell you.