West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Elsted Marsh, West Sussex
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Elsted Marsh, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Flashings that have come away
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
Drone roof survey in Elsted Marsh: what you get
The weather decides whether a drone can fly. High wind or heavy rain rules out a flight, 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. Light wind and dry weather give the clearest close-up photos. Waiting for a better day is better than a rushed flight. If you are worried about standing water on a flat roof and lifted or split lead flashings, we can find out what’s behind it, on valleys and parapet gutters, flat roofs on upper floors and large and complex roofs alike.
Older buildings in small places like Elsted Marsh may be listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care, 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.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Elsted Marsh (GU29)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. The survey typically 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 Elsted Marsh can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You give us the address and let us know about the roof.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Book a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Related advice
When to book a survey in Elsted Marsh
Steep and tall roofs are hard to inspect safely. Tall townhouses, blocks of flats and offices are typical. We fly from the ground and bring the camera close to the roof.
People normally book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
The streets around a church such as St George's Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among 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.
Questions to ask before you book
- Their insurance cover
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- When you’ll get the report
DIY checks: what’s safe
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Practical tips
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Book early if you are near an airport
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Tell us about any leaks or concerns
You get an in-person consultation with the Premium Survey to talk through the photographs and findings. It is a chance to ask about anything in the report.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. A drone sees the outside, but the loft shows leaks and condensation from below. Photograph anything new.
Elsted Marsh questions
Is drone flying allowed in Elsted Marsh?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Is my home in Elsted Marsh listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Tell us which days suit you when you book.
How experienced are you?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it doesn’t include calculations. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we will recommend one.
What’s in the survey report?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photographs throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.
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.
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys and parapet gutters
Valleys and parapet gutters are hidden from the street. A drone shows linings, joints and build-ups of debris.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Widespread slipping on slate normally means nail fatigue. Close-up photos show how widespread it is.
Towns and villages near Elsted Marsh
Also in Elsted Marsh
Airspace, weather and Elsted Marsh roofs
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. The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
With Cowdray House about 3.5 miles east, the area around Elsted Marsh has a long history. Photos from the air and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Elsted Marsh is about 6 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Roofs in Elsted Marsh get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Elsted Marsh is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Postcode districts we cover here for drone roof surveys: GU29. Close by, we survey roofs in Ingrams Green (1 mile east), Dumpford (1 mile north), Trotton (1 mile north), Elsted (1 mile south-west) and Didling (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (14 miles south-east), Chichester (10 miles south), Emsworth (10 miles south-west), Portfield (10 miles south), Yapton (14 miles south-east) and East Wittering (15 miles south).
Near you in Elsted Marsh
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Keeper's Arms Public House and the streets around them. Well-known places in the area include Midhurst Museum (3.2 miles east) and Midhurst Community Hospital (3.5 miles east). The countryside around Elsted Marsh includes Iping and Stedham Commons.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Elsted Marsh. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.