Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Bow, Oxfordshire
Know where you stand with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out drone roof surveys in Bow.
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Flashings that have come away
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
How a drone roof survey works in Bow
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 can’t fly, we use other safe vantage points instead and tell you. Prisons have their own drone restriction zones too. We survey flat roofs on upper floors, tall and steep roofs and fragile roofs, and people most often book us about flashings that have come away and plant growth and moss on the roof.
In a small place like Bow, open ground can mean strong wind. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.

- Location
- Bow (SN7)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Bow questions
Are there drone restrictions around Bow?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Will you come out to Bow?
Yes, Bow is covered. We work right across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, if whoever owns or manages the building agrees access. We look at the parts we’re given access to.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. Mention any deadline as you book.
Is this an asbestos survey?
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.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys seven days a week. To arrange a date, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Faults on high roofs tend to be found late. By then, timbers, ceilings and insulation may be wet. A drone survey finds them sooner. Around Bow, older homes often have old roof timbers, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it’s left.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why us?
- Prices that include VAT
- Surveys seven days a week
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Over 20 years’ experience
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
Towns and villages near Bow
What else we do in Bow
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Practical tips
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Allow time for permission if you’re in a flight restriction zone
- Keep a clear space in the garden or drive for take-off
- Tell next door if the drone will be near their property
- Shut pets inside while we fly
You get an in-person consultation with the Premium Survey to go through what the drone showed. You can ask about anything that is not clear.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, ideally once the leaves have fallen. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Blocked hidden gutters cause many leaks.
Drones, thermal imaging and Bow roofs
Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. Historic houses such as Longworth House, about 4.3 miles north-east, show how far back building in the area around Bow goes. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Anyone responsible for a site like Stanford in the Vale Church of England Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Denys, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Bow is about 4 miles east of Faringdon, in Oxfordshire. Surveys in Bow work the same way as everywhere we cover: a proper look at what can safely be seen, photographs and a clear written report. Bow is one of the places in Oxfordshire where we work for drone roof surveys. Oxford is in our area too.
All of SN7 is covered for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We cover properties on Chapel Road, High Street and Sheards Lane. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Stanford in the Vale (1 mile west), Hatford (1 mile north-west), Shellingford (2 miles west), Baulking (2 miles south-west) and Buckland (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Oxford (14 miles north-east), Didcot (11 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (10 miles east), Witney (10 miles north), Carterton (10 miles north-west) and Wantage (5 miles south-east).
Around Bow
In Bow, that means homes and buildings near Former Red Lion Public House and Holy Trinity Church. Nearby you’ll also find Faringdon Museum (3.8 miles west) and Faringdon Castle (3.4 miles north-west).
DIY checks: what’s safe
A lot can be seen from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
How it works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes between one and two hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Older rural homes like those around Bow can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. 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.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Book a survey
To book a survey, call 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.
Advice
How we price drone roof surveys
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
Getting in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The property’s address and postcode
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.