West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Balcombe Lane, West Sussex
Know where you stand with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out drone roof surveys in Balcombe Lane, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Wind damage high on the roof
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
Balcombe Lane questions
Is my home in Balcombe Lane listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Balcombe Lane?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it is safe. Safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where it applies cover most of what’s needed, and the report notes anything we couldn’t see.
Do you work in Balcombe Lane?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and that includes Balcombe Lane.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
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 will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Do I need to be at home?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. Access is agreed with you when you book.
Drone roof survey in Balcombe Lane
Our price is from £400, including VAT. A drone inspection, where it applies, is also part of our Premium Survey, along with structural analysis, a same-day report and an in-person consultation. There is a 12-month follow-up as well. We will tell you if a drone isn’t the right tool for your roof. You get a written report with the close-up photos from the flight. If you’re worried about wind damage high on the roof and lead work pulling away at abutments, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like Balcombe Lane may be listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Balcombe Lane (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Signs you need a drone roof survey in Balcombe Lane
Chimney tops take the worst of the weather. From ground level, you rarely see cracked flaunching or loose pots. Close-up drone photos show their condition.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that is where a view from above or with a thermal imager helps.
Questions to ask before you book
- Their insurance cover
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
How the survey works
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The survey usually takes about one to two hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Around Balcombe Lane, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- If permission is needed, we ask for it ahead of the visit.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- 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.
Before we arrive
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Getting a price
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we will recommend the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Read more
Nearby places to Balcombe Lane
What else we do in Balcombe Lane
Why act early in Balcombe Lane
A drone survey disturbs nothing on the roof. Nothing is cracked or dislodged by footsteps, so the survey does not create new problems. Older and listed buildings around Balcombe Lane may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What you get with us
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Tips from our surveys
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
- Make sure the loft can be reached
- Let us know about any leaks or concerns
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
If you need work done, roofers can work from the photos. The photos show the location and extent of every problem, so their quotes cover the same ground.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Condensation in the loft can damage timbers and insulation, and it is something only an inside check will show. Check insulation does not block the airflow.
What you can safely check yourself
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Drone roof surveys around Balcombe Lane
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Many roofs like these can’t be judged properly from the pavement, and that is where a view from above or a thermal image earns its place. The wider area around Balcombe Lane has a long history of building, with Tyes Place about 3 miles south-west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for example near County Mall, big, flat commercial roofs are where photos from the air and thermal images help most. Anyone responsible for a site like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School will know that thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Balcombe Lane is about 4 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. We carry out drone roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Balcombe Lane. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Other places close to Balcombe Lane include Balcombe (1 mile south), Worth Abbey (2 miles north-east), Furnace Green (2 miles north-west), Pease Pottage (3 miles west) and Staplefield (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (4 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south), Burgess Hill (8 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Balcombe Lane
Typical jobs here are in homes near Oriel High School, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Balcombe station, about 1.3 miles south. Nearby you’ll also find Crawley Museum (3.9 miles north-west) and Waterbury Castle (4.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
Leaning stacks and loose pots are easier to judge from above. Each defect is photographed for the report.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Old slates and clay tiles can crack underfoot. The drone sees them without touching them.