Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Fordwich
Independent drone roof surveys in Fordwich. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
Drone roof survey in Fordwich
A drone can see more than your roof, so we take care. We keep the camera on the roof we are surveying, not on gardens or windows next door. If your roof is joined to a neighbour’s, it is worth letting them know about the visit. We survey the roof you’ve asked us to look at. Flights are kept as short as the job allows and focused on the roof in question. Common reasons to book are wind damage high on the roof and tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack, across fragile roofs, flat roofs on upper floors and valleys and parapet gutters.
Somewhere as small as Fordwich, older roofs are frequently steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what can’t be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at before the visit, and the journey is planned beforehand. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- Fordwich (CT2)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What a drone roof survey looks like in Fordwich
Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight.
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary the Virgin: tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement. Anyone responsible for a site like Sturry Church of England Primary School will know that big roofs are where close-up aerial shots and thermal images show the most at once.
Fordwich is about 2 miles north-east of Canterbury, in Kent. Fordwich is one of many places we visit across Kent, for homes and businesses alike. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages.
All of CT2 is covered for drone roof surveys. Streets in the area include Brooklands Close, Water Meadows and King Street, all of which we cover. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Littlebourne (2 miles south-east), Bekesbourne Hill (2 miles south), Wickhambreaux (3 miles east), Ickham (3 miles south-east) and Patrixbourne (3 miles south). Further out, we also cover Margate (13 miles north-east), Dover (13 miles south-east), Folkestone (15 miles south), Ramsgate (13 miles east), Broadstairs (14 miles east) and Whitstable (6 miles north-west).
Landmarks near Fordwich
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Frank Montgomery School, Chequer's Wood and Old Park and Fordwich Arms and the streets around them. Fordwich has its own railway station: Sturry station. Well-known places in the area include Whitefriars Shopping Centre (2.4 miles south-west) and St Martins Hospital (1.5 miles south-west). For a walk, there is West Blean and Thornden Woods.
Nearby places to Fordwich
Also in Fordwich
When to book a survey in Fordwich
After storms, owners want to know what has moved. It is hard to tell from below what has shifted. A drone shows what has slipped, lifted or gone.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Flashings that have come away
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Damage after a storm that cannot be seen from below
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for instance near Whitefriars Shopping Centre, a commercial roof can be photographed from above without anyone walking on it.
Before booking anyone
- Will the report include photos?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
What we do, step by step
We do not take risks to get a closer look. We inspect what can be seen safely, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. The survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Somewhere as small as Fordwich, access is frequently the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
How to book
To get a price for drone roof surveys in Fordwich, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
Related advice
When you need someone else
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Fordwich
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
What happens if roof problems are left?
Leaving a high roof unchecked means relying on what you can see from below. A drone replaces that guesswork with clear photos. It’s far easier to plan work when you can see the problem. Older cottages and farmhouses around Fordwich can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
What you get with us
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
See our cost guide and two real surveys.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Our drone check of a chimney is visual, and it isn’t a flue or gas safety check. We will say if a specialist is needed.
Valleys and parapet gutters
When a parapet outlet blocks, water can come inside. We check outlets and photograph any build-up.
Common questions in Fordwich
Will you come out to Fordwich?
Yes, Fordwich is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Is drone flying allowed in Fordwich?
Normally it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and 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 it a structural engineer’s report?
No. Our survey is not a structural engineer’s report. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we’ll recommend one.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Where it’s relevant to the survey and there’s safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft cannot be reached safely, the report says so.
How long will you be at the property?
It normally takes about one to two hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. You will then get the report by email.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.