Medway · London and the South East
Chatham Drone Roof Survey
Wondering about the roof at a property in Chatham? We carry out drone roof surveys in Chatham and across Medway.
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
Drone roof survey in Chatham: what you get
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. We keep it in sight throughout, and well below the 120-metre height limit. Every flight is planned around the roof, the site and the people nearby. Airspace and weather are checked before every flight. Safety comes first on every visit. If you are worried about lead work pulling away at abutments and wind damage high on the roof, we can find out what’s behind it, on large and complex roofs, chimney stacks and flat roofs on upper floors alike.
Conditions on the day matter: a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal images are clearest after a sunny day, on a dry roof, with little wind. In Chatham, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part in when the visit happens, and it can move if conditions change. Some parts of a visit, such as a look in the loft, don’t depend on the weather.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- Chatham (ME5, ME4, ME7, ME1)
- Wider area
- Medway
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- Flights in strong wind or a downpour
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
How it works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. Most surveys take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Visits in a place the size of Chatham range from flats and family homes to offices and blocks. Each building type brings its own access questions, from shared stairwells to locked plant rooms. Surveys can be booked for any day of the week.
- We confirm whether a drone suits your roof.
- We agree a date, including weekends, subject to the weather.
- The roof is photographed from the air, with the camera kept on your property.
- If the loft can be reached safely, it is checked too.
- The report sets out what we found, with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Find any records of previous roof work
How to book
When you’re ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Read more
How the survey changes by roof type
Ridges and hips
Ridges and hips are the most exposed parts of a pitched roof. From above, we can see loose ridges and missing mortar.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Old slates and clay tiles can crack underfoot. A drone avoids that, so the survey does not add damage.
More services for Chatham
Tips that help
Getting the most from a drone roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Let us know what you want to see
- Allow for a change of day in poor weather
- Let us know the exact address when you book
There’s a follow-up after 12 months with the Premium Survey. It shows whether anything has moved or worn since the first visit.
Plan a drone survey every few years for tall or large roofs. Comparing surveys shows what is wearing, and early repairs keep water out.
When to book a survey in Chatham
Not every roof can take a person’s weight. Older slates and tiles break easily, and some sheet roofs are fragile. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
Common reasons to book include:
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
Shop and office owners around Pentagon Shopping Centre may find that a commercial roof can be photographed from above without anyone walking on it.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What insurance they carry
- How soon the report will arrive
- Is VAT included in the price?
Flying and imaging in Chatham
Chatham is within about 4 miles of the coast, 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 a downpour. Rochester Airport is about 2 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight.
Restoration House lies about 2.4 miles north-west, so building around Chatham goes back a long way. A drone or thermal survey doesn’t involve any work on the roof, which suits older buildings. If you live in an older home near Christ the King, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof frequently shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Chatham is about 29 miles east of London, in Medway. If you’re in Chatham, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Chatham is one of the places in Medway we cover. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
All of ME5, ME4, ME7 and ME1 is within our area for drone roof surveys. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on Luton High Street, Market Place and High Street and the roads around them. Main roads around Chatham include the A2 and A229. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Luton (1 mile north), Hale (1 mile north-east), Darland (1 mile east), Capstone (1 mile east) and Walderslade (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Rochester (3 miles north-west), Rainham (3 miles east), Strood (3 miles north-west), Park Wood (3 miles east), Twydall (3 miles north-east) and Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north). As one of the bigger places in Medway, Chatham has homes, rented property and businesses of every kind.
Local landmarks in Chatham
We work in homes and buildings around The Huntsman pub, Walderslade Girls' School and Darland Banks and the streets around them. The closest station to Chatham is Chatham station, roughly 1.7 miles north. A little further out are Six Poor Travellers House (2.5 miles north-west) and Rochester Castle (2.6 miles north-west). The countryside around Chatham includes Blue Bell Hill and Burham Down.
Questions from Chatham
Is drone flying allowed in Chatham?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Chatham is about 2 miles from Rochester Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Chatham?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
What do I do with the report?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can normally go ahead in light rain. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions are not right we will arrange another day with you.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. Where a material might contain it, like old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We’re roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it doesn’t include calculations. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How much is a survey?
Prices start from £400, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package, confirmed before anything is booked.
What you can safely check yourself
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.