East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Forest Row
Drone roof surveys across Forest Row, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photographs.
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
Drone roof survey in Forest Row
They suit tall buildings, steep or large roofs and roofs that are hard to see from the ground. They’re useful where walking on the roof could damage it or is not safe, like old slate, clay tiles or cement sheets. The roof is photographed without being disturbed. Before the visit, we check the address for any airspace restrictions that apply. If a drone is not the right tool, we’ll say so. Common reasons to book are flat roofs on upper floors that hold water and moss and weeds taking hold up top, across tall and steep roofs, flat roofs on upper floors and valleys and parapet gutters.
Even in a smaller place like Forest Row, there may be airfields or restrictions nearby, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Open ground can mean stronger wind, which also affects whether a small drone can fly, while thermal imaging also works best with little wind. Each flight is planned with neighbours’ privacy in mind, as well as the airspace and the wind.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Place
- Forest Row (RH18)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Forest Row
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Checking the roof from ground level
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Airspace, weather and Forest Row roofs
The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. With Standen about 2.3 miles west, Forest Row sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Anyone responsible for a site like Forest Row Church of England Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Forest Row is about 3 miles south-east of East Grinstead, in East Sussex. If you’re in Forest Row, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Crawley.
Here we cover the RH18 postcode area for drone roof surveys. We cover properties on Evelyn Clark Square, Station Road and London Road and the roads around them. If you’re just outside Forest Row, we cover Coleman's Hatch (1 mile east), Wych Cross (2 miles south), Upper Hartfield (2 miles east), Chelwood Gate (3 miles south) and Birchgrove (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Lewes (15 miles south), Crowborough (6 miles south-east), Uckfield (9 miles south), South Malling (15 miles south), Heathfield (13 miles south-east) and Southover (15 miles south).
What’s near Forest Row
Typical jobs here are in homes near Foresters Arms and Greenfields School and the streets around them. The closest station to Forest Row is East Grinstead station, about 3.2 miles north-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include East Grinstead Museum (2.8 miles north-west) and Bolebroke Castle (3.6 miles north-east).
How the survey works
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit usually takes between one and two hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Parking around Forest Row is usually easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where it applies.
- We start with the address and what you’d like checked.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Let us know about parking near the property
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Arrange a survey
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Do you need a drone roof survey in Forest Row?
Height and steep pitches make close inspection risky. Three-storey houses, blocks of flats and tall commercial buildings are common examples. A drone gets close-up views from a safe position on the ground.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof frequently shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Before you book anyone
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Their insurance cover
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
FAQs for Forest Row
Will you come out to Forest Row?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Is my home in Forest Row listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Time for the pre-flight checks is included.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that in advance, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
What happens after the survey?
We email you the written report with photographs and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys on any day of the week. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Tips from our surveys
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
The Premium Survey report comes the same day. It includes the drone photos where a flight was possible.
Plan a drone survey every few years for tall or large roofs. Regular photos make changes easy to spot, and early repairs keep water out.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.