East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Filching, East Sussex
Drone roof surveys around Filching, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Lifted or split lead flashings
Drone roof surveys in Filching: local notes
Filching is within about 4 miles 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 can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour. Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
Anyone responsible for a site like Willingdon Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of Saint Peter 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. With Alfriston Clergy House about 2.9 miles west, the area around Filching has a long history. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey by drone or thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself.
Filching is about 3 miles north-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. We survey roofs in Filching and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Filching is one of the places in East Sussex we cover for drone roof surveys. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in BN26 is covered for drone roof surveys. If you are just outside Filching, we cover Wannock (1 mile north-east), Folkington (1 mile north-west), Lower Willingdon (1 mile east), Willingdon (1 mile east) and Polegate (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (3 miles south-east), Hastings (15 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (11 miles east), Seaford (5 miles west), Lewes (11 miles north-west) and Hailsham (4 miles north).
Local landmarks in Filching
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Eight Bells Inn and Willingdon Community School. Filching’s nearest station is Polegate station, roughly 1.5 miles north-east. Other landmarks nearby include Burlough Castle (2.5 miles west) and Eastbourne District General Hospital (2.3 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Combe Hill.
Drone roof survey in Filching: what you get
The weather decides whether a drone can fly. We don’t fly in strong wind or heavy rain, because control and safety come first. If the day turns out unsuitable, we will talk about another date or inspect what we can by other means. The forecast is checked ahead of the visit and again on the day. Calm, dry conditions give the sharpest close-up photos. Waiting for a better day is better than a rushed flight. Common reasons to book are vegetation in valleys and gutters and cracked mortar along the ridge, on valleys and parapet gutters, large and complex roofs and tall and steep roofs.
Villages like Filching often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Location
- Filching (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey normally takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Cottages and farmhouses around Filching often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Any flight restriction at the address is looked at, with permission requested if required.
- We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
- We fly the sub-250g drone close to the roof and photograph each area.
- The findings, photos and recommendations reach you by email.
Getting ready for the survey
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or email us. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
Nearby places to Filching
What else we do in Filching
FAQs for Filching
Are there drone restrictions around Filching?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Do you cover smaller places like Filching?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Do you look in the loft space?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £400, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before you book, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What happens after the survey?
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.
How fast do I get the report?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. All of them come by email.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take between one and two hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. The written report follows by email.
What we look for on each type of roof
Large commercial roofs
Large commercial roofs cover a lot of ground. The drone covers the roof area by area.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Leaks frequently start at outlets, edges and around plant. We photograph them closely.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Filching
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. We survey on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
- Book early if you’re near an airport
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the location and extent of every problem.
After a storm, check from the garden and the street. Pieces of slate or tile on the ground mean something has moved. A drone survey can show what has shifted.
Prices for drone roof surveys in Filching
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- The shape of the roof and its details
All our prices include VAT. Prices start from £400, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your roof before you book.
What to let us know when you contact us
We will normally ask about:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
To get a price for drone roof surveys in Filching, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
When you need someone else
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks