Essex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Great Bardfield, Essex
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out drone roof surveys in Great Bardfield.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
How it works
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from the ground, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. The survey typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Older roofs in small places like Great Bardfield can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- We email a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
How to book
If you are buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Related advice
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Great Bardfield
Some roofs are hard or unsafe to reach. Our drone roof survey gets a camera close to them without anyone climbing. You see slates, ridges, chimneys, valleys and gutters in detail. The photos go into a written report. It also suits roofs that would be damaged by someone walking on them. If we can’t fly, we tell you why. Typical surveys look at vegetation in valleys and gutters and blocked valleys and parapet gutters, across large and complex roofs, chimney stacks and valleys and parapet gutters.
In a small place like Great Bardfield, open ground can mean strong wind. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Location
- Great Bardfield (CM7)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Great Bardfield: your questions answered
Is drone flying allowed in Great Bardfield?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
How do I find out if my home in Great Bardfield is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
How long will you be at the property?
Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. The report follows by email.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
Are you insured?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and details are available on request.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys, across London and South East England.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
What a drone roof survey looks like in Great Bardfield
We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Open category rules keep flights below 120 m (400 ft) and the drone within sight at all times. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Great Bardfield is about 7 miles north-west of Braintree, in Essex. We survey roofs in Great Bardfield and the rest of Essex. Great Bardfield is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work. You can also see our page for Chelmsford.
Drone roof surveys in CM7 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include High Street, The Corniche and Vine Street. Close by, we survey roofs in Little Bardfield (1 mile west), Finchingfield (1 mile north-east), Bardfield Saling (2 miles south-east), Wethersfield (2 miles east) and Crow's Green (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Chelmsford (15 miles south), Braintree (7 miles south-east), Witham (13 miles south-east), Saffron Walden (10 miles north-west), Halstead (9 miles east) and Great Dunmow (6 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Great Bardfield
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Vine pub, among other places. The countryside around Great Bardfield includes West Wood.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when booking.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.
When to book a survey in Great Bardfield
Large roofs take a long time to see on foot. A drone can photograph a large roof methodically. That gives a clearer picture of the roof as a whole.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Ponding and splits on a high flat roof
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Great Bardfield Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Their track record with similar roofs
How we price drone roof surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- The size of the roof
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you need to know.
Booking your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Anything about access we should know
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know the cost up front. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Tips from our surveys
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Let us know the exact address when you book
- Book early if you are near an airport
The Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation to talk through the photographs and findings. You can ask about anything that isn’t clear.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, particularly in autumn. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet.
Also near Great Bardfield
More services for Great Bardfield
Surveys for landlords and agents in Great Bardfield
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.