Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Bircholt Forstal
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach around Bircholt Forstal, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
How a drone roof survey works in Bircholt Forstal
Some roofs are hard or unsafe to reach. A drone takes close-up photos of those roofs from the air. You see slates, ridges, chimneys, valleys and gutters in detail, including slopes that cannot be seen from the street. Everything we find goes into a report with photos. It also suits roofs that would be damaged by someone walking on them. Where a flight isn’t possible, we explain why. We survey tall and steep roofs, large and complex roofs and chimney stacks, and the problems we are asked to look at most are debris building up in hidden gutters and flat roofs on upper floors that hold water.
Somewhere as small as Bircholt Forstal, older roofs are frequently steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what cannot be reached safely. Weather and airspace are checked before the visit. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly.
- Location
- Bircholt Forstal (TN25)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlord and commercial surveys in Bircholt Forstal
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. We survey seven days a week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Drones, thermal imaging and Bircholt Forstal roofs
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Brabourne Church of England Primary School, a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit. Historic houses such as Westenhanger Castle, about 3.6 miles south-east, show how far back building around Bircholt Forstal goes. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey from above or with a thermal imager does not touch the roof itself.
Bircholt Forstal is about 5 miles east of Ashford, in Kent. From houses to flats and shops in Bircholt Forstal, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Across Kent, we cover Bircholt Forstal and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
Postcode districts we cover here for drone roof surveys: TN25. Other places close to Bircholt Forstal include Brabourne Lees (1 mile south), Brabourne (1 mile east), Smeeth (1 mile south-west), Ridgeway (1 mile south-west) and Lilyvale (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (5 miles west), Canterbury (11 miles north-east), Dover (14 miles east), Folkestone (9 miles south-east), Whitstable (15 miles north) and Faversham (13 miles north).
Around Bircholt Forstal
Bircholt Forstal’s nearest station is Westenhanger station, roughly 3.8 miles south-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include William Harvey Hospital (2.8 miles west) and Lympne Castle (4.7 miles south-east). Not far away are Tolsford Hill and Hatch Park.
Also near Bircholt Forstal
Other services in Bircholt Forstal
What we do, step by step
The visit has one job: to look at the roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It usually takes an hour or two on an ordinary house, and more on a big or complicated roof. Around Bircholt Forstal, 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.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Any flight restriction at the address is checked, with permission requested if required.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Note where any stains or damp appear
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys and parapet gutters
Blocked outlets in hidden gutters cause many leaks. We check outlets and photograph any build-up.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Steep roofs are risky to walk on. A drone photographs them closely from a safe position, showing slipped, cracked and missing pieces.
Practical tips
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Shut pets inside while we fly
- Clear the loft hatch so we can check inside too
- Let us know what you want to see
- Make sure there’s room outside for the drone to take off
The Premium Survey report comes the same day. Drone photographs are included where we could fly.
Every so often, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. The underside frequently shows problems before the outside does. Take photos of any changes.
What we can’t see
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Questions from Bircholt Forstal
Do you cover smaller places like Bircholt Forstal?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Is drone flying allowed in Bircholt Forstal?
Normally it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
What’s in the report?
You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
How quickly is the report sent?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. The report is emailed to you.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. To find a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.