West Sussex · London and the South East
Botolphs Drone Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? You can book a drone roof survey in Botolphs and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Wind damage high on the roof
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
Drone roof survey in Botolphs
Before any flight, we check the airspace. Near protected airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, flight restriction zones mean permission is needed first. Parts of central London have restricted areas too, where NATS permission is needed. If we cannot fly, we use other safe vantage points instead and explain why. Prisons have their own drone restriction zones too. Common reasons to book are moss building up on slopes and in gutters and cracked mortar along the ridge, across large and complex roofs, flat roofs on upper floors and fragile roofs.
Villages like Botolphs often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. High wind or heavy rain stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Botolphs (BN44)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026

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. It also has these limits:
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will recommend the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Tall and steep roofs
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
Our drone check of a chimney is visual, and it is not a flue or gas safety check. If the flue needs a specialist, we’ll tell you.
Valleys and parapet gutters
Hidden gutters and valleys sit out of sight. From above, we can see the linings, the joints and any debris.
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes between one and two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Cottages and farmhouses around Botolphs frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- You give us the address and let us know about the roof.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
What affects the price in Botolphs
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
Our price is from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, inc. VAT.
What to tell us when you contact us
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- What’s prompted the survey
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before you book.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Photographing a roof from the air doesn’t touch it. Fragile slates and tiles stay as they are, so you see the roof exactly as it is. In a small place like Botolphs, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Prices start from £150, including VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both inc. VAT. You will know the price for the job before booking.
Why book us in Botolphs
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Prices that include VAT
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
Drones, thermal imaging and Botolphs roofs
Botolphs lies within about 4 miles of the sea, where wind off 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. Botolphs is about 3 miles from Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly.
If you run a hotel or guest house in or near Botolphs, a roof problem can mean rooms out of use, so it pays to find faults before guests do. Take a building like Upper Beeding Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Botolphs is about 3 miles north-west of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. We carry out drone roof surveys in Botolphs for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Across West Sussex, we cover Botolphs and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
Drone roof surveys in BN44 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you’re just outside Botolphs, we cover Upper Beeding (1 mile north-east), Bramber (1 mile north), Steyning (1 mile north-west), Sompting (3 miles south-west) and Lancing (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Horsham (13 miles north), Worthing (5 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (11 miles south-west) and Shoreham-by-Sea (3 miles south-east).
Near you in Botolphs
Typical jobs here are in homes near Steyning Grammar School and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Shoreham-By-Sea station, about 3.2 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Steyning Museum (1.3 miles north-west) and Old Castle (4.9 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Steep Down and Mill Hill.
Common questions in Botolphs
How do I find out if my home in Botolphs is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is drone flying allowed in Botolphs?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Botolphs is about 3 miles from Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. The report includes photographs of what we found, so you can see each point for yourself.
Does someone need to be in?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access; we’ll agree the details as you book.
Do you cover Botolphs?
Yes, we do. Botolphs is part of the area we cover, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a date, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Nearby places to Botolphs
What else we do in Botolphs
Common roof problems in Botolphs
Strong winds can lift slates, tiles and ridge pieces. It is hard to tell from below what has shifted. Close-up photos make it clear what has been disturbed.
Common reasons to book include:
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
Take an older house close to St Botolph's Church: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Questions to ask before booking
- Their report turnaround times
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What’s outside the scope of the survey