Essex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in High Garrett, Essex
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for High Garrett, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
About our drone roof survey in High Garrett
Tall, steep, large or fragile roofs can’t always be inspected up close. A drone takes close-up photographs of those roofs from the air. 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. Where a flight isn’t possible, we explain why. Common reasons to book are outlets choked with leaves and silt and ridge and hip pieces working loose, across valleys and parapet gutters, chimney stacks and flat roofs on upper floors.
In a small place like High Garrett, open ground can mean strong wind. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- High Garrett (CM7)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we can’t see
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
When to book a survey in High Garrett
Steep and tall roofs are hard to inspect safely. Tall townhouses, blocks of flats and offices are typical. A drone gets close-up views from a safe position on the ground.
Look out for signs like these:
- Damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Bocking Church Street Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- What the survey will not cover
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Airspace, weather and High Garrett roofs
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. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
In and around High Garrett, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
High Garrett is about 2 miles north of Braintree, in Essex. We carry out drone roof surveys in High Garrett for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. High Garrett is one of the towns and villages in Essex we cover for drone roof surveys. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
We cover every part of the CM7 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Whether your property is on High Garrett, Grove Field and Sunnyfields Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Bocking Churchstreet (1 mile south-west), Gosfield (2 miles north), Beazley End (2 miles north-west), Church End (3 miles west) and Shalford (4 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Colchester (14 miles east), Chelmsford (13 miles south), Maldon (13 miles south), Witham (8 miles south), Camulodunum (13 miles east) and Halstead (3 miles north-east).
What’s near High Garrett
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Tabor Academy and Bocking Blackwater, among other places. The closest station to High Garrett is Braintree station, roughly 2.6 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Tudor House Museum (Braintree) (1.7 miles south-west) and Braintree Community Hospital (2.6 miles south-west). Open spaces near High Garrett include Belcher's and Broadfield Woods.
How it works
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It usually takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Somewhere as small as High Garrett, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are looked at.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Related advice
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.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
Landlords, agents and block managers in High Garrett
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Bigger roofs take more time.
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.
Leave it or get it looked at?
From ground level, you are guessing about most of a tall roof. Close-up photos show what’s really there. It is far easier to plan work when you can see the problem. Matching old materials, like handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That is one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Our price is from £400, including VAT.
Why us?
- A photo-illustrated written report
- An independent view of the roof
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
Read our cost guide and our case studies.
Common questions in High Garrett
Is High Garrett within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in High Garrett?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
When does the report arrive?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, tell us when you book.
Are there drone restrictions in central London?
Some areas need permission from NATS before any flight. Where we can’t fly, we use other safe vantage points and explain what we could see.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes, every report has them. Pictures sit next to the findings they show.