Portsmouth · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Fratton, Portsmouth
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Fratton, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney tops in poor condition
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Fratton
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. Every flight is planned around the roof, the site and the people nearby. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. We never fly where it is not safe. If you’re worried about ponding and splits on a high flat roof and loose ridge and hip tiles, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on valleys and parapet gutters, chimney stacks and fragile roofs alike.
In smaller places like Fratton, many homes are bungalows and houses with roofs you can partly see from ground level. The parts you cannot see, like rear slopes, valleys and chimney tops, are where a drone or thermal camera adds detail. The forecast decides the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Even so, a close-up image often shows wear on ridges and flashings that a view from the ground misses.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Place
- Fratton (PO1, PO4, PO3)
- Wider area
- Portsmouth
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Fratton
Not every roof can take a person’s weight. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and some sheet roofs are fragile. With a drone, the roof is photographed without anyone stepping on it.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
For hotels and guest houses around Fratton, a roof problem found early is far less disruptive than one found by a guest, so it is worth knowing the roof’s condition.
What to check before booking
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Whether you get a written report with photos
Other services in Fratton
Honest limits
It helps to know what a survey won’t do before you book:
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Drone roof surveys around Fratton
Fratton 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 cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour. A number of Hampshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
Take an older house close to St Mary's Church: older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help. Shop and office owners around The Bridge Shopping Centre may find that thermal images can show trapped moisture across a wide commercial roof.
Fratton is about 1 mile south-east of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. From houses to flats and shops in Fratton, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Our Portsmouth coverage includes Fratton.
We cover every part of the PO1, PO4 and PO3 postcode area for drone roof surveys. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on Renny Road, Clive Road and Union Road. Being close to the A288, Fratton is simple for us to get to. If you are just outside Fratton, we cover Kingston (1 mile north-east), Portsmouth (1 mile north-west), Landport (1 mile west), Baffins (1 mile north-east) and Copnor (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Wymering (3 miles north), Paulsgrove (3 miles north), Cosham (3 miles north), Drayton (3 miles north) and Farlington (4 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Fratton
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Portsmouth Academy, Alexandra Park and St Edmund's Catholic School and the streets around them. There is a railway station in Fratton itself: Fratton station. Nearby you’ll also find St Mary's Hospital (within half a mile east) and Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum (0.8 miles north-west). Not far away are Milton Locks and Portsdown Hill.
Prices for drone roof surveys in Fratton
We confirm the price for your survey before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- House, block, shop or office
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Getting in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
When you are ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Can I check my roof myself?
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
The survey, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes about 1–2 hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. For a survey in Fratton, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- You give us the address and tell us about the roof.
- Any flight restriction at the address is looked at, with permission requested if required.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are checked.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- The findings, photos and recommendations reach you by email.
Before we arrive
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Arrange a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Practical tips
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Allow for a change of day in poor weather
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Let us know what you want to see
You get an in-person consultation with the Premium Survey to go through what the drone showed. You can ask about anything that isn’t clear.
Every so frequently, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. The underside frequently shows problems before the outside does. Take photos of any changes.
Questions from Fratton
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Fratton?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Are there drone restrictions around Fratton?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
How long is the visit?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take an hour or two for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. The report is sent afterwards by email.
What if it rains on the day?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions are not right, we will talk to you about another date.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
What insurance do you have?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
What will the report tell me?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photos throughout. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too, so you know exactly what was covered.