West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Ford, West Sussex
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Ford. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
Drone roof survey in Ford
We fly a sub-250g drone, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. We keep it in sight throughout, and well below the 120-metre height limit. Each flight is planned with the site and its surroundings in mind. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. We never fly where it isn’t safe. If you’ve noticed tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack and flat roofs on upper floors that hold water, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Some older homes in villages like Ford are listed or in a conservation area. A look from the air or with a thermal camera does not touch the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Ford (BN18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we cannot see
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Allow time for permission if you’re in a flight restriction zone
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
Your report arrives by email, including the close-up photos taken by the drone. Findings are set out in plain English, with recommendations prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Look at the roof from the ground after strong winds. Debris in the garden is a sign to act on. A drone can show exactly what has moved.
Flying and imaging in Ford
Ford lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and wind near 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. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons.
The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Andrew are frequently 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 aerial photos and thermal images help. Ecclesden Manor, about 4.8 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Ford. Aerial photos and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Ford is about 2 miles north-west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Ford and the rest of West Sussex. Ford is one of the places in West Sussex where we work for drone roof surveys. You can also see our page for Brighton.
All of BN18 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We cover properties on Station Road, Ford Road and Rodney Crescent and the roads around them. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Tortington (1 mile north), Horsemere Green (1 mile south), Climping (1 mile south), Wick (1 mile east) and Lyminster (1 mile east). We also work in nearby towns such as Worthing (8 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles south-west), Chichester (9 miles west), Selsey (11 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles east) and Lancing (11 miles east).
Landmarks near Ford
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Arundel Arms Public House At Ford Station, among other places. There’s a railway station in Ford itself: Ford station. A little further out are Arundel and District Hospital (2.1 miles north) and Rustington Museum (3.5 miles east). Green spaces nearby include WWT Arundel.
Towns and villages near Ford
More services for Ford
How the survey works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Older rural homes like those around Ford can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are checked.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
Prices for drone roof surveys in Ford
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- House, block, shop or office
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, from £400 inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Booking your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- What made you get in touch
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- The address and postcode of the property
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Chimney tops are hard to see from the ground. A drone gets close to the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings, so cracks and gaps are clear.
Valleys and parapet gutters
Hidden gutters and valleys sit out of sight. From above, we can see the linings, the joints and any debris.
Signs you need a drone roof survey in Ford
Hidden gutters and valleys are easy to overlook. Debris collects where nobody looks, until it causes a leak inside. A drone shows them clearly from above.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
Anyone responsible for a site like The Littlehampton Academy will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
What to check before booking
- Are they insured for the work?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
Common questions in Ford
Is drone flying allowed in Ford?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ford?
We can’t 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.
Is Ford in your area?
Yes. We survey roofs in Ford and the rest of West Sussex. For a price, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. You will know the price for your survey before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. For a price, call 07833 053749 or email us.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain doesn’t typically stop a survey. Strong wind or a downpour can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.