Essex · London and the South East
Bocking Drone Roof Survey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach across Bocking, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
How a drone roof survey works in Bocking
A drone shows the outside of a roof very well, but it can’t see under the coverings or into the loft. Where there is safe access, we look in the roof space too, since that is where leaks and condensation frequently show first. Together, the two give a fuller picture. The report sets out what the drone showed and what we found inside. If there is no safe loft access, the report says so. We survey tall and steep roofs, chimney stacks and large and complex roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are ponding and splits on a high flat roof and damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below.
Even in a smaller place like Bocking, there may be airfields or restrictions nearby, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Exposed sites can be windy, and a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind, while thermal imaging also works best with little wind. Neighbours’ privacy is part of planning each flight, along with the airspace and the weather.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Where
- Bocking (CM7)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Homes around Bocking frequently have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is looked at where it can be reached safely.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- We arrange any permission that is needed before we fly.
- 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.
- Your report arrives by email, with close-up photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Check pets are kept safely away
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Read more
Can I check my roof myself?
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Do not go up yourself.
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
When you need someone else
It is useful to know what a survey won’t do before booking:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
Common questions in Bocking
Is my home in Bocking listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Bocking?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
How long is the visit?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take between one and two hours for a house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. The written report follows by email.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Is Bocking in your area?
Yes. We cover Bocking and the rest of Essex, as part of our work across London and South East England. To book, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Places near Bocking
Other services in Bocking
Flying and imaging in Bocking
We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Open category rules keep flights below 120 m (400 ft) and the drone within sight at all times. Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like St Francis Catholic Primary School, big roofs are where close-up aerial shots and thermal images show the most at once. If you live in an older home near Church of St Peter, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement. If you run a hotel or guest house in or near Bocking, a roof problem can mean rooms out of use.
Bocking is about 1 mile west of Braintree, in Essex. Bocking is one of many places we visit across Essex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Across Essex, we cover Bocking and the places around it. There’s also a page for Chelmsford.
We survey roofs across the CM7 postcode area for drone roof surveys. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on Clare Road, The Avenue and Mount Road. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Braintree (1 mile east), Great Notley (2 miles south-west), Panfield (2 miles north-west), Rayne (2 miles west) and Row Green (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Colchester (15 miles east), Chelmsford (10 miles south), Maldon (12 miles south-east), Witham (7 miles south-east), Camulodunum (14 miles east) and Halstead (5 miles north-east).
Around Bocking
Around Bocking, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Horse And Groom Inn, Bocking Blackwater and Edith Borthwick School. The nearest railway station is Braintree station, roughly 0.6 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find St Michael's Hospital (0.5 miles south-west) and Tudor House Museum (Braintree) (0.5 miles north-east). For a walk, there is Belcher's and Broadfield Woods.
For landlords and managing agents
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as homeowners. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photographs, useful for planning maintenance.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
Before and after the survey
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Keep a clear space in the garden or drive for take-off
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
Premium also includes a 12-month follow-up. It helps you see how the roof has changed over the year.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Poor airflow lets condensation build up. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
The drone shows the outside of the stack, and it isn’t a flue or gas safety check. If the flue needs a specialist, we will tell you.
Large commercial roofs
Large commercial roofs cover a lot of ground. The drone covers the roof area by area.