East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Arlington, East Sussex
Drone roof surveys in Arlington, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
- Lifted or split lead flashings
How a drone roof survey works in Arlington
They suit tall buildings, steep or large roofs and roofs that are hard to see from ground level. They’re useful where walking on the roof could damage it or isn’t safe, such as old slate, clay tiles or cement sheets. You get close-up views without anyone setting foot on the roof. Before the visit, we check the address for any airspace restrictions that apply. If a drone isn’t the right tool, we will say so. We are often asked to look into vegetation in valleys and gutters and debris building up in hidden gutters, on tall and steep roofs, valleys and parapet gutters and fragile roofs.
Some older homes in villages like Arlington are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Location
- Arlington (BN26)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Arlington
From the pavement, most of a tall roof is out of sight. You can’t see the back slope, the valleys or the chimney tops. Problems in those places frequently go unseen until they leak, which is why owners turn to a drone.
People typically book a survey when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
For an older house near a landmark like The Parish Church of St Pancras, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- What experience they bring
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
How it works
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. In a small place like Arlington, access is usually the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- If permission is needed, we ask for it ahead of the visit.
- Before the flight, we check the conditions and the take-off spot.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Book a survey
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Questions from Arlington
Is my home in Arlington listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Arlington?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
Can you give me structural calculations?
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.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
Will you check the loft?
Normally, if there’s one and it can be reached safely. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that can’t be seen from outside.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where it applies let us see the rest.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. Mention any deadline when booking.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Close-up photos make conversations with roofers clearer. They show the location and extent of each defect, which helps when you ask for quotes. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why book with us
- Over 20 years’ experience
- An independent view of the roof
- Package prices that include VAT
- A report with photos
Read how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
What a drone roof survey looks like in Arlington
The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. Open category rules keep flights below 120 m (400 ft) and the drone within sight at all times. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Older coverings on steep or tall roofs are hard to judge from below, so close-up aerial photos and thermal images help.
Michelham Priory, about 1.5 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Arlington. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey from the air or with a thermal camera does not touch the roof itself.
Arlington is about 3 miles south-west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. We visit Arlington as part of our work across East Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Arlington is one of the places in East Sussex where we work. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Every address in BN26 is covered for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover the places around Arlington: Wickstreet (1 mile north), Berwick (1 mile west), Wilmington (2 miles south), Selmeston (2 miles west) and Milton Street (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns like Eastbourne (6 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles east), Seaford (6 miles south-west), Lewes (8 miles west), Hailsham (3 miles north-east) and Crowborough (14 miles north).
Near you in Arlington
Around Arlington, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Yew Tree Inn and the streets around them. Arlington’s nearest station is Berwick (Sussex) station, roughly 1.2 miles west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Agricultural Museum (2 miles south) and Hellingly Hospital Railway (4.1 miles north-east). The countryside around Arlington includes Combe Hill.
Towns and villages near Arlington
Also in Arlington
Practical tips
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. Our suggestions:
- Tell next door if the drone will be near their property
- Book early if you’re near an airport
- Check there is room outside for the drone to take off
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
There’s a follow-up after 12 months with the Premium Survey. It shows whether anything has moved or worn since the first visit, and whether work has done its job.
Plan a drone survey every few years for tall or large roofs. Regular photos make changes easy to spot, and early repairs keep water out.
Roof by roof
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Outlets, edges and roof plant are common problem areas. We photograph them closely.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Walking on fragile coverings can break them. A drone avoids that.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Arlington
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. We survey on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.