Kent · London and the South East
Hicks Forstal Drone Roof Survey
We carry out drone roof surveys in Hicks Forstal and the rest of Kent. Surveys run on any day of the week.
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Wind damage high on the roof
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
Drone roof surveys in Hicks Forstal: local notes
Hicks Forstal is within about 3 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons.
Anyone responsible for a site like Spires Academy will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Hicks Forstal is about 2 miles south of Herne Bay, in Kent. Anywhere in Hicks Forstal, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property. Our area takes in places right across Kent.
Here we cover the CT3 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Calcott (1 mile south-west), Herne Common (1 mile north), Knave's Ash (1 mile east), Herne (1 mile north) and Bullockstone (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (4 miles south-west), Margate (12 miles east), Dover (15 miles south-east), Ramsgate (12 miles east), Broadstairs (13 miles east) and Whitstable (4 miles west).
Around Hicks Forstal
Around Hicks Forstal, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Curtis Wood and the streets around them. The closest station to Hicks Forstal is Sturry station, about 2.2 miles south of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find St Martins Hospital (3.9 miles south) and Canterbury Castle (4.6 miles south-west). Not far away are West Blean and Thornden Woods.
How a drone roof survey works in Hicks Forstal
Prices start from £400, including VAT. The Premium Survey includes a drone inspection where applicable, along with structural analysis, a same-day report and an in-person consultation. There’s a 12-month follow-up as well. We’ll tell you if a drone is not the right tool for your roof. You get a written report with the close-up photos from the flight. If you’ve noticed vegetation in valleys and gutters and blistered or cracked flat roof coverings, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on fragile roofs, valleys and parapet gutters and large and complex roofs alike.
Some older homes in villages like Hicks Forstal 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, before anyone decides what work it needs. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
If any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Location
- Hicks Forstal (CT3)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Hicks Forstal: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Hicks Forstal is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Are there drone restrictions around Hicks Forstal?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
How long does the survey take?
Expect it to take between one and two hours on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. The written report follows by email.
Do I need to be at home?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access; we will agree the details when you book.
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.
Do you look in the roof space?
If the survey needs it and the roof space can be reached safely, yes. Please clear anything stored under the hatch, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
When to book a survey in Hicks Forstal
Large roofs take a long time to see on foot. A drone can photograph a large roof methodically, showing patterns of wear that are hard to spot up close. That gives a clearer picture of the roof as a whole.
People typically book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Wind damage high on the roof
- Flashings that have come away
Around Hicks Forstal, as everywhere, small roof faults are simplest to sort before they let water in.
What to check before booking
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What the survey will not cover
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
How the survey changes by roof type
Steep slate and tile slopes
On slate roofs, slipped slates often point to corroded nails. We can see the extent of it from above.
Large commercial roofs
Older cement sheet roofs may contain asbestos. We don’t test for it, but we flag it so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check.
What affects the price in Hicks Forstal
Not every roof costs the same to survey, and it comes down to:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The property’s address and postcode
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or use the contact form whenever suits you.
Tips from our surveys
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
- Keep a clear space in the garden or drive for take-off
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
File the report and photos with your home documents. They give you something to compare against later.
Have high or hard-to-reach roofs surveyed every few years. Comparing surveys shows what is wearing, and early repairs keep water out.
Towns and villages near Hicks Forstal
More services for Hicks Forstal
Why act early in Hicks Forstal
Faults on high roofs tend to be found late. By then, timbers, ceilings and insulation may be wet. Looking from above picks up the early signs. Outbuildings and barns around Hicks Forstal are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It’s worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, including VAT. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why us?
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Visits on any day of the week
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes between one and two hours for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. In a hamlet or village like Hicks Forstal, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We confirm whether a drone suits your roof.
- We agree a date, including weekends, subject to the weather.
- The roof is photographed from the air, with the camera kept on your property.
- Where there is safe access, we check the loft as well.
- You get photos, findings and clear recommendations.
Before the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Keep pets in another room
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Arrange a survey
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.