Drones have changed how roofs are inspected. A small drone can get close-up photographs of a chimney stack on a tall terrace, a valley gutter hidden behind a parapet or a large commercial roof, without anyone climbing up there.
But a drone isn’t the answer to every roof. It can’t see inside the loft, it can’t fly in every place or every kind of weather, and the photographs still need someone who knows roofs to read them. A clear photo of a slipped slate is only useful if someone can say why it slipped and what it means for the rest of the roof. This guide explains what a drone survey can and can’t do, the rules that apply, and what you get back.
When a drone helps most
- Tall buildings. Three- and four-storey terraces, blocks of flats and offices where the top of the roof can’t be seen from the street.
- Hidden roofs. Butterfly roofs and parapet gutters behind a front wall, and rear roofs boxed in by neighbouring buildings.
- Steep or fragile roofs. Roofs that aren’t safe to walk on, including some older slate roofs and roofs with fragile rooflights.
- Large roofs. Commercial units, schools and long terraces where an overview helps.
- Chimneys. Close views of pots, flaunching and flashings on stacks that are hard to reach.
Our drone roof survey starts from £400, and a drone inspection where applicable is part of our Premium Survey.
What a drone shows, and what it misses
| A drone can show | A drone can’t show |
|---|---|
| Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles | The inside of the roof space |
| Ridges, hips and valleys from above | The underlay and timbers under the coverings |
| Lead flashings, chimneys and pots | Whether materials are damp (that needs moisture readings) |
| Gutters, outlets and debris | Fixings such as corroded nails, until slates move |
| Flat roof surfaces, ponding and obvious splits | Small holes in a membrane |
That’s why a drone works best as part of a wider survey, alongside a look in the loft and from the ground. Our drone takes photographs. Thermal imaging, where it’s part of a survey, is a separate method. Our thermal roof survey page explains how it works.
The rules our drone flies under
We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator, holding a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. From 1 January 2026, the CAA rules say a Flyer ID is needed for drones of 100g or more, and an Operator ID for drones of 250g or more, or 100g or more with a camera.
In the open category, a drone must stay below 120 m (400 ft) and be kept in sight. A roof survey flight is far lower than that and stays close to the building. Before each flight we also look at the site itself: trees, cables, people nearby and where the drone can take off and land safely.
Airports and flight restriction zones
Protected aerodromes have flight restriction zones (FRZs). According to the CAA, each one includes an Aerodrome Traffic Zone with a radius of 2 or 2.5 nautical miles, plus 1 km wide runway protection zones that run 5 km out from each runway end, up to 2,000 ft. Flying inside one needs permission from the airport or air traffic control.
In and around our area, FRZs include Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stansted, Luton, Southampton, Redhill and London Heliport in Battersea. Prisons also have their own drone restriction zones, since January 2024. We check the airspace before every flight using the Drone Safety Map the CAA points to. If permission is needed, we seek it. If it isn’t possible, the drone doesn’t fly and we inspect in other ways.
Want a roof surveyed? We cover London and the South East, with written reports and photos from £150 including VAT. Book a survey or call 07833 053749.
Central London
Central London has restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs, where drone flights need permission from NATS. If your building is in or near one of these areas, we’ll explain what that means for your survey when you get in touch. Our guide to drone surveys near airports and in central London goes into more detail.
Weather on the day
Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. If it’s too windy or wet, we can still inspect from the ground, windows and loft, and we’ll talk to you about whether to come back for the drone part. Light drizzle can also affect the quality of the photographs, even when it’s safe to fly.
Surveys are carried out on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, so there are usually several options for a better day.
Privacy and neighbours
A drone over a roof can see into gardens and windows nearby. We keep flights short and focused on the roof we’ve been asked to inspect, and we take care not to photograph neighbouring property more than we need to. We can only inspect what the owner gives access to.
On shared roofs, terraces and blocks, it’s good manners to let neighbours know a drone will be up for a short time. We’re happy to help with what to say. A quick word in advance usually avoids worried knocks on the door, and most neighbours are simply curious about what the roof looks like from above.
What you get back
You get a written report with photographs, explaining the condition of each part of the roof, the defects found and written recommendations. The drone images sit alongside what we found in the loft and from the ground. Where a photograph shows a defect, the report explains where it is on the roof and why it matters, so a roofer can find it and price it. Want to book, or check whether a drone suits your building? Call 07833 053749 or contact us.
Quick answers
What drone do you use?
A sub-250g drone. We are a CAA-registered drone operator, holding a Flyer ID and an Operator ID.
Can you fly near Heathrow or Gatwick?
Both have flight restriction zones. Flying inside one needs permission from the airport or air traffic control, so we check first.
What happens if it’s windy?
The drone won’t fly in strong wind or heavy rain. We can still inspect in other ways, or come back on a better day.
Does the drone take thermal images?
No. Our drone takes photographs. Thermal imaging is a separate method used in some surveys.
Related services
More advice
- Drone Surveys Near Airports and in Central London
- What Does a Roof Survey Include?
- How Much Does a Roof Survey Cost?
- Commercial Roof Surveys: Rooflights and Sheeting
- All advice
This guide is general information about roofs and roof surveys. It isn’t legal, insurance or structural engineering advice; for those, speak to a suitably qualified professional.