Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Arpinge
Drone roof surveys in Arpinge from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and South East England.
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Cottages and farmhouses around Arpinge often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Any flight restriction at the address is looked at, with permission requested if required.
- We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Getting a price
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we will ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
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How a drone roof survey works in Arpinge
We carry out drone roof surveys in Arpinge and across London and the South East, where the airspace and the weather allow. Flights take place on weekdays and at weekends. Every address is checked for airspace restrictions first. The report includes the drone photos and our recommendations. To ask whether a drone survey suits your roof, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address. We are frequently asked to look into loose ridge and hip tiles and plant growth and moss on the roof, across flat roofs on upper floors, fragile roofs and valleys and parapet gutters.
Older buildings in small places like Arpinge may be listed or in a conservation area. A look from above or with a thermal imager doesn’t touch the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care, before anyone decides what work it needs. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Location
- Arpinge (CT18)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Flying and imaging in Arpinge
Arpinge is within about 3 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from the ground, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
For an older house near a landmark such as St Oswald's Church, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that’s where a view by drone or thermal camera helps. Take a building like Harcourt Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Arpinge is about 1 mile south-west of Hawkinge, in Kent. Anywhere in Arpinge, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our area takes in places right across Kent, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
Surveys in CT18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover Hawkinge (1 mile north-east), Densole (2 miles north-east), Old Hawkinge (2 miles east), Swingfield Minnis (3 miles north-east) and Elham (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Ashford (12 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north), Dover (8 miles east), Deal (14 miles north-east), Hythe (3 miles south-west) and Tower Hamlets (7 miles east).
What’s near Arpinge
Around Arpinge, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Cat & Custard Pot pub, among other places. Arpinge’s nearest station is Folkestone West station, roughly 1.7 miles south-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (2.2 miles south-east) and Folkestone Castle (1.4 miles south-east). Not far away are Cheriton Hill.
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we check:
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Which survey package you book
- House, block, shop or office
- Roof area
Prices start from £400, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we’ll tell you which fits.
Booking your survey
Before you get in touch, it’s useful to have:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Anything about access we should know
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before booking.
What you can safely check yourself
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Why act early in Arpinge
On a tall building, problems are often found only when water comes in. By then, timbers, ceilings and insulation may be wet. A drone survey finds them sooner. Older cottages and farmhouses around Arpinge can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both including VAT. We confirm the exact price before you book.
What you get with us
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Surveys seven days a week
- 20+ years’ experience
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Take a look at our cost guide or what we found on two real jobs.
Before and after the survey
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Book early if you are near an airport
- Let us know about any leaks or concerns
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
There is a follow-up after 12 months with the Premium Survey. It helps you see how the roof has changed over the year.
Look at the roof from the ground after strong winds. Pieces of slate or tile on the ground mean something has moved. A drone can show exactly what has moved.
What we are asked to look at in Arpinge
Not every roof can take a person’s weight. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and fragile sheet roofs are dangerous to walk on. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Cracked flaunching or loose chimney pots
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
Acrise Place lies about 2.1 miles north, so building around Arpinge goes back a long way. For older roofs nearby, a look by drone or thermal camera is a hands-off way to check condition.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What exactly goes into their report
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- How soon the report will arrive
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
Nearby places to Arpinge
Also in Arpinge
Common questions in Arpinge
Are there drone restrictions around Arpinge?
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. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Is my home in Arpinge 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.
What’s the best way to book?
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Are you insured?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.