Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Alkham
Drone roof surveys around Alkham, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
Drone roof survey in Alkham
Some roofs are hard or unsafe to reach. A drone takes close-up photos of those roofs from the air. It shows coverings, ridges, chimneys, valleys and gutters clearly. Everything we find goes into a written report with photos. It also suits roofs that would be damaged by someone walking on them. If we cannot fly, we tell you why. We survey large and complex roofs, chimney stacks and valleys and parapet gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below and wind damage high on the roof.
In a small place like Alkham, open ground can mean strong wind. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Location
- Alkham (CT15)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Clear the loft hatch so we can check inside too
- Let us know what you want to see
Your report arrives by email, with close-up photographs from the flight. Each finding is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, ideally once the leaves have fallen. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet.
Other services in Alkham
For landlords and managing agents
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Alkham. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
Leaning stacks and loose pots are easier to judge from above. We record what we find with photos.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Outlets, edges and roof plant are common problem areas. They’re all captured in close-up, as far as the flight allows.
How the survey works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. Most surveys take about one to two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Around Alkham, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You give us the address and tell us about the roof.
- Any flight restriction at the address is checked, with permission requested if required.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are checked.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Leave side gates unlocked
Arrange a survey
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before you book.
Related advice
When you need someone else
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
Alkham: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Alkham?
Yes, Alkham is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Is my home in Alkham listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Does the report include photos?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, so you can see what we mean.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We do not sample or test for asbestos. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
What if my home is near an airport?
It depends on the airspace at your address. Flying inside a flight restriction zone needs permission from the airport or air traffic control. Book early if you think you may be affected.
Why it’s worth a survey now in Alkham
A drone record gives you a baseline. Comparing them with later photos shows what has changed. It helps when you plan ahead. Older cottages and farmhouses around Alkham can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, from £400 including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Why us?
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Read how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
Drone roof surveys around Alkham
Alkham lies within about 3 miles of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Historic houses such as Acrise Place, about 3.9 miles west, show how far back building in the area around Alkham goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
The streets around a church such as Church of St Anthony the Martyr are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Alkham is about 3 miles west of Dover, in Kent. We cover Alkham and the rest of Kent. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
We cover every part of CT15 for drone roof surveys. You will find streets such as Alkham Valley Road, Hogbrook Hill Lane and Newlyn's Meadow. We also cover the places around Alkham: South Alkham (1 mile south-west), Chalksole Green (1 mile north-west), Ewell Minnis (1 mile north), Wolverton (1 mile north-east) and Drellingore (1 mile south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Ashford (15 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north-west), Dover (3 miles east), Folkestone (4 miles south-west), Deal (9 miles north-east) and Hythe (8 miles south-west).
Around Alkham
In Alkham, that means homes and buildings near Sladden Wood, among other places. Alkham’s nearest station is Kearsney station, about 2.3 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Folkestone Castle (3.7 miles south-west) and Crabble Corn Mill (2.6 miles east). For a walk, there’s Dover Western Heights and Sugar Loaf Hill.