East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Chailey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for Chailey and the rest of East Sussex. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Ponding and splits on a high flat roof
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
- Lifted or split lead flashings
About our drone roof survey in Chailey
From the air, the outer surfaces are clear, but it can’t see inside. Where there is safe access, we look in the roof space too, since that’s where leaks and condensation frequently show first. Inside and out together tell you far more. Your report shows the drone photos alongside what we saw in the loft. If there is no safe loft access, the report says so. Common reasons to book are chimney tops in poor condition and gaps where slates or tiles have gone, across fragile roofs, chimney stacks and large and complex roofs.
Some older homes in villages like Chailey are listed or in a conservation area. A look from above or with a thermal imager does not touch the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Where
- Chailey (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Chailey: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Chailey is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Will you come out to Chailey?
Yes, Chailey is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
How long does the visit take?
Expect it to take an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Pre-flight checks of the site and the weather are part of that.
What’s in the report?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, with photos throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
How much is a survey?
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. You will know the price for the job before booking. To get a price, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
What a drone roof survey looks like in Chailey
Listing and conservation areas can both shape what roof work is allowed on an older home. Your council and Historic England’s list will tell you where you stand, before anyone quotes for re-roofing. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions.
Take a building like Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Chailey is about 5 miles south-east of Haywards Heath, in East Sussex. Bookings from Chailey are handled just like any other: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our East Sussex coverage includes Chailey. Brighton is in our area too.
Surveys in BN8 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Other places close to Chailey include North Chailey (1 mile north), South Street (1 mile south-west), Newick (1 mile north-east), Founthill (1 mile east) and South Chailey (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Seaford (14 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (10 miles north-east), Uckfield (5 miles east) and Newhaven (12 miles south).
What’s near Chailey
Typical jobs here are in homes near Chailey School, The Five Bells Inn and Chailey Heritage School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Plumpton station, about 3.1 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are Princess Royal Hospital (4.1 miles north-west). Not far away are Blackcap and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we check:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The size of the roof
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Before you get in touch, it helps to have:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The property’s address and postcode
- What kind of property and roof it is
We confirm the price for your roof before you book, so you know where you stand. Prices start from £400, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
DIY checks: what’s safe
You can learn a lot from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking and it will help the survey.
Tips that help
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Expect us to rearrange if it’s too windy or wet
- Make sure there’s room outside for the drone to take off
- Allow time for permission if you’re in a flight restriction zone
- Tell us about any leaks or concerns
Keep the photos with your property records. They give you something to compare against later, and they help if you sell.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. The underside frequently shows problems before the outside does. Take photos of any changes.
Places near Chailey
Also in Chailey
What we’re asked to look at in Chailey
Large roofs take a long time to see on foot. A drone can photograph a large roof methodically, showing patterns of wear that are hard to spot up close. That gives a clearer picture of the roof as a whole.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Peter: older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What happens after the report arrives
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- What experience they bring
- Is VAT included in the price?
How the survey works
We’ll ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. Older roofs in small places like Chailey can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- 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
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and give us some details about the property and we will recommend the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Different roofs, different checks
Large commercial roofs
Big roofs on offices, warehouses and units take time to inspect. A drone photographs the whole surface methodically.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
The flat roof on top of a block is rarely looked at. A drone shows ponding, splits, blisters and worn upstands.