West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Climping, West Sussex
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out drone roof surveys in Climping and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
What we do, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from each safe vantage point, take photographs as we go and make notes for the report. Most visits take about one to two hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Somewhere like Climping needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- 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.
- Before the flight, we check the conditions and the take-off spot.
- 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
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Getting a price
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Read more
How a drone roof survey works in Climping
Neighbours’ privacy matters on every flight. We keep the camera on the roof we are surveying, not on gardens or windows next door. If your roof is shared, a word with next door beforehand helps. We inspect only what the owner has asked us to. Each flight is kept short and stays focused on the roof we’re there to survey. Typical surveys look at flat roofs on upper floors that hold water and tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack, across flat roofs on upper floors, valleys and parapet gutters and fragile roofs.
Some older homes in villages like Climping are listed or in a conservation area. A look from above or with a thermal imager does not touch the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Place
- Climping (BN17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Climping
Is drone flying allowed in Climping?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain.
How do I find out if my home in Climping is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but we don’t provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Will you check the loft?
Where it’s relevant to the survey and there’s safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
What if it rains on the day?
It can, depending on the survey. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather is not right.
How much does a drone roof survey cost in Climping?
Prices start from £400, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, including VAT.
Roof by roof
Ridges and hips
Wind lifts loose ridge and hip tiles. Finding them early keeps them from coming down.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Flat roof coverings wear out at different rates. Photos show how the covering is wearing.
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Drones, thermal imaging and Climping roofs
Climping lies within about 1 mile of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Open category rules keep flights below 120 m (400 ft) and the drone within sight at all times.
Ecclesden Manor lies about 4.7 miles east, so building around Climping goes back a long way. For older roofs nearby, a look from above or with a thermal imager is a hands-off way to check condition. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as St Mary's CofE Primary School, a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that is where a view by drone or thermal camera helps.
Climping is about 2 miles west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We carry out drone roof surveys in Climping for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Postcode districts we cover here for drone roof surveys: BN17. Whether your property is on Church Lane, Horsemere Green Lane and Crookthorn Lane or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Climping include Horsemere Green (1 mile west), Atherington (1 mile south), Ford (1 mile north), Wick (1 mile north-east) and Tortington (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Worthing (8 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles west), Chichester (9 miles west), Selsey (11 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (13 miles east) and Lancing (11 miles east).
Around Climping
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Littlehampton Academy and The Black Horse Public House and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Littlehampton station, about 1.2 miles east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Arundel and District Hospital (3 miles north) and Rustington Museum (3 miles east). Not far away are WWT Arundel.
Practical tips
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
- Move stored items away from the hatch
There’s a follow-up after 12 months with the Premium Survey. It helps you see how the roof has changed over the year.
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.
Places near Climping
Also in Climping
Surveys for landlords and agents in Climping
We survey roofs for landlords and letting agents as well as householders. A report with photographs gives you a clear record of the roof.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Why get it checked now?
Planning roof work without seeing the roof is a gamble. Our report shows the condition of each area. That helps you put the work in order. For an older or listed building in a place like Climping, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book us in Climping
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- A written report with photos
- An independent view of the roof
- 20+ years’ experience
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.