East Sussex · London and the South East
Alciston Drone Roof Survey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach across Alciston, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Call or email for a price.
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Older roofs in small places like Alciston can have low, tight loft spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- Before the flight, we check the conditions and the take-off spot.
- The sub-250g drone takes close-up photographs of the roof, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
How a drone roof survey works in Alciston
Every flight starts with an airspace check. Near protected airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, flight restriction zones mean permission is needed first. Central London has restricted areas of its own, which need NATS permission. If permission isn’t given, we inspect by other means and explain why. Prisons have their own drone restriction zones too. If you’ve noticed ponding and splits on a high flat roof and moss building up on slopes and in gutters, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a small place like Alciston, open ground can mean strong wind. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Where
- Alciston (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
For landlords and managing agents
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
Tips that help
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Shut pets inside while we fly
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
Premium also includes a 12-month follow-up. It helps you see how the roof has changed over the year.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. A drone sees the outside, but the loft shows leaks and condensation from below. Take photos of any changes.
Nearby places to Alciston
Also in Alciston
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Alciston
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Alciston?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
Is my home in Alciston listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in, while outside access can be discussed as you book.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Do you cover Alciston for drone roof surveys?
Yes. We survey roofs in Alciston and the rest of East Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we’re not structural engineers and don’t carry out calculations. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
What we are asked to look at in Alciston
Large roofs take a long time to see on foot. A drone can photograph a large roof methodically, showing patterns of wear that are hard to spot up close. You see the whole roof, not just the parts near an access point.
People typically book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Questions to ask before you book
- What experience they bring
- What exactly goes into their report
- What follow-up you get after the report
- What the survey will not cover
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
What affects the price in Alciston
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- House, block, shop or office
- The size of the roof
- The shape of the roof and its details
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £400, including VAT. You will know the price for your roof before you book.
What to tell us when you contact us
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and give us some details about the property and we’ll point you to the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Drone roof surveys around Alciston
Alciston is within about 5 miles of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Charleston Farmhouse, about 1.3 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Alciston. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.
Alciston is about 4 miles north of Seaford, in East Sussex. We carry out drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Alciston. Alciston is one of the places in East Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Brighton.
We cover every part of BN26 for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. Other places close to Alciston include Selmeston (1 mile north), Berwick (1 mile north-east), Winton (1 mile south-east), Alfriston (2 miles south-east) and Milton Street (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (7 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Seaford (4 miles south), Lewes (7 miles north-west), Hailsham (6 miles north-east) and Crowborough (15 miles north).
Around Alciston
In Alciston, that means homes and buildings near Rose Cottage Inn. The nearest railway station is Berwick (Sussex) station, roughly 1.3 miles north-east of the centre. A little further out are Arlington Castle (1.7 miles south-east) and Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (4.6 miles south-west). Open spaces near Alciston include Firle Beacon.