Kent · London and the South East
Dargate Drone Roof Survey
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. Drone roof surveys in Dargate.
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Dargate
They suit tall buildings, steep or large roofs and roofs that are hard to see from the ground. They’re useful where walking on the roof could damage it or is not safe. You get close-up views without anyone setting foot on the roof. Ahead of the visit, we check the address for any airspace restrictions that apply. We’ll tell you if another approach would work better. We survey tall and steep roofs, chimney stacks and valleys and parapet gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are cracked flaunching or loose chimney pots and hidden gutters full of leaves.
In a village or hamlet like Dargate, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what can’t be reached safely. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
Where we can’t see part of the roof, the report says so. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Dargate (ME13)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Somewhere like Dargate needs a little journey planning: let us know about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are checked.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Book a survey
For a price for drone roof surveys in Dargate, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
Before and after the survey
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Allow time for permission if you are in a flight restriction zone
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
There is a follow-up after 12 months with the Premium Survey. It shows whether anything has moved or worn since the first visit, and whether work has done its job.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Poor airflow lets condensation build up. Make sure insulation doesn’t block the airflow.
Airspace, weather and Dargate roofs
Dargate is within about 3 miles of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Listing and conservation areas can both shape what roof work is allowed on an older home. The council is the place to check, along with Historic England’s list, before anyone quotes for re-roofing.
The streets around a church like Church of St Michael are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help.
Dargate is about 4 miles south-west of Whitstable, in Kent. Roofs in Dargate get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Kent. Our Kent coverage includes Dargate.
All of ME13 is covered for drone roof surveys. You’ll find streets such as Butler's Hill and Plumpudding Lane. Other places close to Dargate include Hernhill (1 mile south-west), Waterham (1 mile north), Highstreet (1 mile north-east), Slutshole (1 mile south-west) and Staplestreet (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (13 miles south), Canterbury (5 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (11 miles west), Whitstable (4 miles north-east), Faversham (4 miles west) and Herne Bay (8 miles north-east).
Around Dargate
Typical jobs here are in homes near Red Lion pub and Mount Ephraim Gardens and the streets around them. Dargate’s nearest station is Selling station, roughly 3 miles south-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (4.5 miles north-east) and Tankerton Castle (4.2 miles north-east). The countryside around Dargate includes Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
Also near Dargate
What else we do in Dargate
Surveys for landlords and agents in Dargate
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
FAQs for Dargate
Are there drone restrictions around Dargate?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
How do I find out if my home in Dargate is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it doesn’t include calculations. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in; we’ll agree the details as you book.
What if it rains on the day?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In strong wind or heavy rain, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you when you book.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
When to book a survey in Dargate
From the pavement, most of a tall roof is out of sight. You cannot see the back slope, the valleys or the chimney tops. Faults there can go unnoticed for years.
Common reasons to book include:
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
Take a building like Hernhill Church of England Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Is VAT included in the price?
What we can’t see
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
What happens if roof problems are left?
Faults on high roofs tend to be found late. By then, timbers, ceilings and insulation may be wet. A drone survey finds them sooner. Older and listed buildings around Dargate may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
Why book with us
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Photos and a written report every time