West Sussex · London and the South East
Elmer Drone Roof Survey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach across Elmer, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Damage after a storm that cannot be seen from below
How a drone roof survey works in Elmer
Drones need reasonable weather. We don’t fly in strong wind or a downpour, because control and safety come first. If the day turns out unsuitable, we’ll talk about another date. The forecast is checked ahead of the visit and again on the day. Calm, dry conditions give the sharpest close-up photos. A short delay is better than a rushed flight. We survey valleys and parapet gutters, large and complex roofs and tall and steep roofs, and the problems we are asked to look at most are debris building up in hidden gutters and moss and weeds taking hold up top.
Even in a smaller place like Elmer, there may be airfields or restrictions nearby, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Exposed sites can be windy, and a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind, while thermal imaging also works best with little wind. Neighbours’ privacy is part of planning each flight, along with the airspace and the weather.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, each with a short note and a photograph. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Place
- Elmer (PO22)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Flat roof coverings wear out at different rates. Photos show how the covering is wearing.
Large commercial roofs
Big roofs on offices, warehouses and units take time to inspect. A drone photographs the whole surface methodically, so nothing is skipped.
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Elmer
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
Drones, thermal imaging and Elmer roofs
Elmer is within about 1 mile of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. A drone or thermal camera adds most on the steep, tall and hidden parts of roofs like these.
If you look after a building like Bishop Tufnell CofE Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. If you live in an older home near St Nicholas Church, 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.
Elmer is about 3 miles east of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. We carry out drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Elmer and nearby. Elmer is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover for drone roof surveys. There is also a page for Portsmouth.
Every address in PO22 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a drone roof survey at a property on Elmer Road, Ancton Lane and East Avenue or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Middleton-on-Sea (1 mile west), Bilsham (1 mile north), Atherington (1 mile north-east), Flansham (2 miles north-west) and Horsemere Green (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Worthing (9 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles west), Chichester (8 miles north-west), Selsey (9 miles south-west), Littlehampton (4 miles east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles east).
Near you in Elmer
Typical jobs here are in homes near Felpham Community College. The nearest railway station is Ford station, about 2.9 miles north-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Bognor Regis Museum (3.1 miles west) and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital (2.9 miles west).
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. Homes in smaller places like Elmer can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Wind gets under it and lifts more.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with VAT included. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both inc. VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before you book.
Why book us in Elmer
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- Every finding written up with photos
- Packages from £150, including VAT
- PI and public liability insurance
See what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Nearby places to Elmer
Also in Elmer
Common questions in Elmer
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Elmer?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you cover smaller places like Elmer?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We point out what can be seen, like sagging or deflection, but we do not carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
Are you registered with the CAA?
Yes, we are. The CAA has issued us a Flyer ID and an Operator ID, and we fly a drone that weighs under 250g.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, including VAT.
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
- Allow time for permission if you’re in a flight restriction zone
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
With the Premium Survey, the report arrives the same day. It includes the drone photos where a flight was possible, alongside the other checks in the package.
Plan a drone survey every few years for tall or large roofs. Comparing surveys shows what is wearing, and early repairs keep water out.
What happens on the day
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from each safe vantage point, take photos as we go and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. Being in a smaller place like Elmer doesn’t change how the visit works: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- The sub-250g drone takes close-up photos of the roof, kept in sight throughout.
- We email a written report with the photographs and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Getting a price
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
DIY checks: what’s safe
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.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.