Essex · London and the South East
Burnt Heath Drone Roof Survey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for Burnt Heath and the rest of Essex. We survey on any day of the week.
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
About our drone roof survey in Burnt Heath
Some roofs are hard or unsafe to reach. A drone takes close-up photos of those roofs from the air. It shows coverings, ridges, chimneys, valleys and gutters clearly, including slopes that can’t be seen from the street. Everything we find goes into a written report with photos. It is also a good option where walking on the roof could break slates or tiles. If we can’t fly, we tell you why. Common reasons to book are cracked mortar along the ridge and tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack, across chimney stacks, large and complex roofs and valleys and parapet gutters.
Villages like Burnt Heath frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. Strong wind or a downpour 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. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Place
- Burnt Heath (CO7)
- Region
- Essex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Burnt Heath
Many roofs are never seen properly from ground level. Rear slopes, valleys and the tops of chimneys are hidden. Problems in those places often go unseen until they leak, which is why owners turn to a drone.
Typical things we’re asked to look at include:
- Cracked flaunching or loose chimney pots
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Church of St Mary, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that’s where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Before booking anyone
- Is VAT included in the price?
- What exactly goes into their report
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Their track record with similar roofs
Nearby places to Burnt Heath
Also in Burnt Heath
For landlords and managing agents
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
How the survey works
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit typically takes about one to two hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Around Burnt Heath, 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, we check whether a drone is the right tool.
- A date is fixed, with a fallback in case the weather turns.
- The roof is photographed from the air, with the camera kept on your property.
- We also look inside the roof space where it is safe.
- You get photos, findings and clear recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Can I check my roof myself?
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.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
Tips that help
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Allow for a change of day in poor weather
- Let us know what you want to see
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the location and extent of every problem.
Every so often, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. A drone sees the outside, but the loft shows leaks and condensation from below. Take photos of any changes.
Drone roof surveys around Burnt Heath
Burnt Heath lies within about 4 miles of the sea, and wind near 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. In Essex, older buildings are frequently clay-tiled, many with 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.
Castle House lies about 2.6 miles north, so building around Burnt Heath goes back a long way. A drone or thermal survey does not involve any work on the roof, which suits older buildings.
Burnt Heath is about 5 miles east of Colchester, in Essex. Anywhere in Burnt Heath, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our Essex coverage includes Burnt Heath and the places around it. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
Postcode districts we cover here for drone roof surveys: CO7. We cover properties on Waterhouse Lane, Back Road and Frating Road. If you are just outside Burnt Heath, we cover Bromley Cross (1 mile south), Foxash Estate (1 mile north), Little Bromley (2 miles east), Lawford (3 miles north-east) and Manningtree (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Colchester (5 miles west), Clacton-on-Sea (10 miles south-east), Harwich (11 miles east), Camulodunum (6 miles west), Greenstead (3 miles south-west) and Tiptree (13 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Burnt Heath
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Cross Inn and Ardleigh Park, among other places. The nearest railway station is Manningtree station, roughly 3.1 miles north-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Colchester Castle (4.5 miles west) and The Munnings Museum (2.6 miles north). Open spaces near Burnt Heath include Cattawade Marshes.
When you need someone else
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
Questions from Burnt Heath
Do you cover smaller places like Burnt Heath?
Yes, Burnt Heath is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Is drone flying allowed in Burnt Heath?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
How many surveys have you done?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
What’s the best way to book?
It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Let us know the address and a little about the roof, and we will recommend the right survey. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
How soon will I get the report?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.