West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Compton, West Sussex
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach across Compton, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
What this survey can’t tell you
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Compton
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Large and complex roofs
How a drone roof survey works in Compton
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. It stays within sight for the whole flight, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. 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. Typical surveys look at damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below and vegetation in valleys and gutters, across large and complex roofs, valleys and parapet gutters and tall and steep roofs.
Some older homes in villages like Compton are listed or in a conservation area. A look by drone or thermal camera does not touch the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof, before anyone decides what work it needs. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Place
- Compton (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What you can safely check yourself
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. Don’t go up yourself.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes about one to two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Older rural homes like those around Compton can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- If permission is needed, we ask for it ahead of the visit.
- 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.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Book a survey
For a price for drone roof surveys in Compton, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.
Advice
Drone roof surveys around Compton
We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight. In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Many roofs like these can’t be judged properly from the pavement, and that is where a view from above or a thermal image earns its place.
Uppark lies about 1.8 miles north, so building around Compton 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. If your house is among the older ones in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help. If you look after a building such as Compton and Up Marden CofE Primary School, a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Compton is about 5 miles east of Horndean, in West Sussex. Whether the building in Compton is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof. Compton is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Surveys in PO18 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on Church Lane and School Lane. We also cover the places around Compton: East Marden (2 miles east), South Harting (3 miles north), East Harting (3 miles north-east), Chilgrove (4 miles east) and Elsted (4 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (13 miles south-east), Chichester (8 miles south-east), Selsey (14 miles south), Emsworth (6 miles south), Portfield (9 miles south-east) and Yapton (15 miles south-east).
What’s near Compton
In Compton, that means homes and buildings near The Coach And Horses Public House. The nearest railway station is Rowlands Castle station, roughly 3.6 miles south-west. Well-known places in the area include Petersfield Community Hospital (5.7 miles north) and Clanfield Earthwork (4 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Compton Down.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Compton. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Flat roofs on tall buildings are often seen by nobody. From above, standing water, splits and tired upstands are clear.
Ridges and hips
The ridge takes wind from both sides. A drone shows cracked mortar and loose ridge tiles.
FAQs for Compton
Do you cover smaller places like Compton?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Compton is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Does the weather affect a drone survey?
The flight waits for better weather. Wind and heavy rain are the two things that ground a small drone, so a new date is agreed with you, or look from other safe viewpoints if you’d rather.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it is safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where it applies let us see the rest.
How long does the visit take?
Expect it to take about 1–2 hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. That includes checking the site and the weather before take-off.
How we price drone roof surveys
To price your survey, we look at:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Roof area
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
Every price we give includes VAT. Prices start from £400, including VAT. You will know the price for your roof before you book.
Getting in touch
These details help when you get in touch:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- The kind of building and roof involved
- The property’s address and postcode
If you are buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.