Our CAA-compliant drone surveys capture high-resolution aerial imagery of your roof and chimney stacks, giving you a full written report on condition and defects — safely, quickly, and without ladders or scaffolding.
What is a drone roof survey?
A residential drone roof survey uses a remotely piloted aircraft fitted with a high-resolution camera to inspect the full surface of your roof from directly above — ridge tiles, flashings, chimney stacks, valleys, gutters, and all the areas that are impossible to assess safely from the ground or a ladder.
Unlike a general visual inspection, a drone survey provides close-up photographic evidence of every element — and because your report is written by a RICS-qualified surveyor rather than a drone operator alone, you get professional interpretation alongside the imagery.
Drone survey vs. ground inspection
Who books a drone survey?
A drone roof survey serves both buyers approaching a purchase and homeowners managing their existing property. In both cases, the goal is the same: know exactly what the roof condition is before spending money.
Commissioning a drone survey before exchange gives you documented evidence of roof condition — useful for renegotiation, insurance purposes, or simply peace of mind before you commit. Sellers can use it to pre-empt buyer concerns and demonstrate transparency.
If you've noticed damp patches, loose tiles, or simply haven't had the roof inspected in years, a drone survey gives you a safe, cost-effective way to understand what's up there — before a small defect becomes a larger repair bill.
Some insurers and mortgage lenders require a professional assessment of roof condition before offering cover or lending on older properties. Our written report from a RICS-qualified surveyor satisfies these requirements.
What we inspect
Every drone survey covers the full roof envelope — not just the areas visible from the street. Here's what your report will address.
Tiles, slates, and flat roof membranes — inspected for cracking, slippage, delamination, or missing sections.
Mortar bedding, pointing condition, and signs of movement or loosening along the ridge line and hips.
Lead, mortar, and proprietary flashings at chimney stacks, dormer walls, and parapet abutments — a common source of water ingress.
Brick or render condition, pointing, pot condition, and any visible structural movement or tilting.
Valley gutters, parapet gutters, and box gutters — including blockages, corrosion, or failures in the waterproofing.
Timber or UPVC elements at the roof perimeter assessed for rot, damage, or detachment.
Felt, GRP, or asphalt flat roof coverings inspected for blistering, splitting, ponding, or upstand failure.
Skylights, Velux windows, soil and vent pipe terminals — condition and any visible weathering or seal failure.
What you receive
Many drone services hand over raw video and leave you to interpret it yourself. We do things differently. Your survey produces a structured written report prepared by a RICS-qualified surveyor, supported by photographs from the flight.
The report is yours to use however you need it — to instruct a contractor, negotiate a price reduction, submit to an insurer, or simply keep on file for future reference.
A clear, element-by-element written assessment of the roof's condition, with professional commentary on any defects found and recommended actions.
Annotated aerial photographs clearly illustrating each area of concern — giving you a visual record that a written description alone cannot provide.
Your report is issued within two business days of the drone flight — so it won't hold up a purchase, insurance renewal, or repair decision.
We're available to talk you through the findings in plain English and advise on priorities, estimated costs, or whether further specialist investigation is warranted.
How it works
Share the property address and tell us what's prompted the survey. We'll confirm availability and provide a fixed fee quote.
We confirm the date is suitable for flying — checking airspace restrictions and weather — and advise if any access to the site is required on the day.
Our CAA-compliant drone captures a full photographic record of the roof. The flight typically takes under an hour and causes no disruption to the property.
Within two business days, you receive your written report with photographs — ready to act on, share with contractors, or submit to a lender or insurer.
Credentials & compliance
Not all drone operators are the same. What makes our surveys different is that the aerial inspection is combined with RICS surveying expertise — so you receive a professional report, not just footage.
Every flight is operated within UK CAA regulations under the Specific Category framework, with commercial drone insurance in place throughout.
All drone flights are conducted in accordance with UK Civil Aviation Authority regulations, including required airspace checks and flight logging.
Commercial drone public liability insurance is in place for every survey — giving you and your insurer confidence that the flight is properly covered.
Your written report is prepared by a RICS-qualified professional — regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors — not solely by a drone pilot.
A drone roof survey pairs well with our RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey — giving you a complete picture of both the roof and the wider property condition.
Get in touch for a no-obligation quote. We'll confirm availability and a fixed fee within one business day.
Book a Drone SurveyGet in Touch
Fill in the form with the property details and we'll come back to you with a quote and available dates. Or contact us directly by phone or email.