East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Cross in Hand, East Sussex
An experienced roof surveyor for drone roof surveys in Cross in Hand. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
Drone roof survey in Cross in Hand: what you get
We carry out drone roof surveys in Cross in Hand and across London and South East England, subject to airspace checks and the weather. Flights take place on weekdays and at weekends. Every address is checked for airspace restrictions first. You get a written report with close-up photos and recommendations. To check whether your roof suits a drone survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. We survey large and complex roofs, chimney stacks and flat roofs on upper floors, and the problems we are asked to look at most are flat roofs on upper floors that hold water and lifted or split lead flashings.
In a small place like Cross in Hand, open ground can mean strong wind. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Place
- Cross in Hand (TN21)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Drones, thermal imaging and Cross in Hand roofs
The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Steep or complicated roofs are often hard to see from ground level, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Anyone responsible for a site like Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School will know that thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Cross in Hand is about 5 miles east of Uckfield, in East Sussex. We carry out drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Cross in Hand. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex. Brighton is in our area too.
Every address in TN21 is covered for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Fir Grove Road, Windmill Place and Dads Hill. We also cover the places around Cross in Hand: Roser's Cross (1 mile south-west), Waldron (1 mile south-west), Heathfield (2 miles east), Sandy Cross (2 miles south-east) and Lions Green (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (13 miles south), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles south-east), Seaford (14 miles south), Lewes (11 miles south-west), Hailsham (8 miles south) and Crowborough (6 miles north).
Near you in Cross in Hand
In Cross in Hand, that means homes and buildings near Passingworth Park. The nearest railway station is Buxted station, roughly 3.9 miles west. Well-known places in the area include Sussex Farm Museum (2.8 miles south) and Tickerage Castle (2.9 miles west). For a walk, there’s Selwyns Wood.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Our drone check of a chimney is visual, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. We will say if a specialist is needed.
Ridges and hips
The ridge takes wind from both sides. From above, we can see loose ridges and missing mortar.
What we are asked to look at in Cross in Hand
Strong winds can lift slates, tiles and ridge pieces. Damage on a high or steep roof is hard to judge from the garden. A drone shows what has slipped, lifted or gone.
Most people get in touch after spotting one of these:
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near St Bartholomew, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that’s where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Their insurance cover
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Nearby places to Cross in Hand
What else we do in Cross in Hand
Prices for drone roof surveys in Cross in Hand
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The shape of the roof and its details
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Which survey package you book
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
Booking your survey
You do not need to know any roofing terms. Just let us know:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- The property’s address and postcode
- What’s prompted the survey
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
FAQs for Cross in Hand
How do I find out if my home in Cross in Hand is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you cover smaller places like Cross in Hand?
Yes, Cross in Hand is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
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’s disturbed.
How do I book a survey in Cross in Hand?
It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or email us. Give us the address and a few details about the roof. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
Can you fly a drone near an airport?
Sometimes, with permission. Confirmed flight restriction zones include Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stansted, Luton and Southampton, among others, and a flight inside one needs the airport’s or air traffic control’s say-so. If permission is not given, the roof is inspected from other safe viewpoints.
What do I do with the report?
You’ll get the report by email. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
How the survey works
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes about one to two hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Rural addresses near Cross in Hand can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- If permission is needed, we ask for it ahead of the visit.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- The drone captures close-up photos of the coverings, chimneys, valleys and gutters.
- Your report arrives by email, with close-up photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Getting a price
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Read more
What we can’t see
It’s a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Tall and steep roofs
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs on upper floors
Before and after the survey
Getting the most from a drone roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Allow time for permission if you are in a flight restriction zone
- Be ready to move the date if the weather turns
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
The Premium Survey report comes the same day. It includes the drone photos where a flight was possible.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have fallen. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Blocked hidden gutters cause many leaks.