West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Crawley Down, West Sussex
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for Crawley Down, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
About our drone roof survey in Crawley Down
Before any flight, we check the airspace. Flight restriction zones around airports like Heathrow, Gatwick and London City need permission from the airport or air traffic control. Parts of central London have restricted areas too, where NATS permission is needed. If we can’t fly, we use other safe vantage points instead and tell you. Prison sites also have drone restriction zones. Common reasons to book are lifted or split lead flashings and hidden gutters full of leaves, across flat roofs on upper floors, valleys and parapet gutters and fragile roofs.
In smaller places like Crawley Down, many homes are bungalows and houses with roofs you can partly see from the ground. The parts you cannot see, such as rear slopes, valleys and chimney tops, are where a drone or thermal camera adds detail. Both depend on the weather on the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Close-up images frequently show wear on ridges, verges and flashings that can’t be judged properly from ground level.
It isn’t only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Location
- Crawley Down (RH10)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Leaks often start at outlets, edges and around plant. We photograph them closely.
Chimney stacks
The drone shows the outside of the stack, and it is not a flue or gas safety check. We’ll say if a specialist is needed.
What we’re asked to look at in Crawley Down
Parapet gutters, box gutters and central valleys sit out of sight. Leaves, silt and plant growth build up unseen, until it causes a leak inside. A drone shows them clearly from above.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Wind damage high on the roof
Saint Hill Manor, about 2.4 miles south-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Crawley Down. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey from above or with a thermal imager doesn’t touch the roof itself.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Will the report include photos?
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether VAT is added on top
Airspace, weather and Crawley Down roofs
Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
Take an older house close to All Saints Parish Church: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof frequently shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Crawley Down is about 3 miles west of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. In Crawley Down, as across West Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Our West Sussex coverage includes Crawley Down.
All of RH10 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. You will find streets such as Station Road, Forest Close and Burleigh Way, all of which we cover. If you are just outside Crawley Down, we cover Furnace Wood (1 mile north), Snow Hill (1 mile north), Turners Hill (1 mile south), Domewood (1 mile north) and Felbridge (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (5 miles west), Horsham (11 miles west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south), Burgess Hill (12 miles south), East Grinstead (3 miles east) and Broadfield (6 miles west).
Landmarks near Crawley Down
In Crawley Down, that means homes and buildings near Imberhorne School, among other places. For rail, the closest station is East Grinstead station, roughly 2.5 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Queen Victoria Hospital (3.5 miles east) and Effingham Park Motor Museum (1.4 miles north-west). The countryside around Crawley Down includes Hedgecourt Lake.
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Roof area
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or email us to find out.
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Crawley Down
Will you come out to Crawley Down?
Yes, Crawley Down is covered. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Are there drone restrictions around Crawley Down?
It depends on the exact address and the weather 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 high wind or heavy rain.
How much does a drone roof survey cost in Crawley Down?
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package, confirmed before anything is booked.
How do I book a survey in Crawley Down?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we’ll take it from there. We survey on any day of the week.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
What if it rains on the day?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions are not right, we will talk to you about another date.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, if the building owner or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Nearby places to Crawley Down
What else we do in Crawley Down
The survey, step by step
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. All told, expect about 1–2 hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Being in a smaller place like Crawley Down does not change how the visit works: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- We arrange any permission that is needed before we fly.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- We email a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Let us know where we can park nearby
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Photographing a roof from the air does not touch it. Fragile slates and tiles stay as they are, so you see the roof exactly as it is. Homes in smaller places like Crawley Down can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Each storm lifts it a little further, and water follows.
One thing that affects the price is the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why book us in Crawley Down
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Weekday and weekend surveys
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or two real surveys.
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
Keep the photos with your property records. They give you something to compare against later, and they help if you sell.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly in autumn. On tall buildings, use a professional with the right access equipment. Blocked hidden gutters cause many leaks.