Essex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in High Ongar
Drone roof surveys across High Ongar, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
When to book a survey in High Ongar
Walking on some roofs does more harm than good. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and some sheet roofs are fragile. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
The streets around a church like Church of St Mary the Virgin are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Before booking anyone
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- How long the report takes to arrive
About our drone roof survey in High Ongar
A drone shows the outside of a roof very well, but it can’t see under the coverings or into the loft. We check the loft from inside where it’s safe, since that’s where leaks and condensation often show first. Inside and out together tell you far more. Your report shows the drone photos alongside what we saw in the loft. Where the loft can’t be reached safely, we note it. We survey flat roofs on upper floors, tall and steep roofs and chimney stacks, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are plant growth and moss on the roof and tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack.
Somewhere as small as High Ongar, older roofs are often steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you can’t get from ground level. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first, and the journey is planned in advance. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- High Ongar (CM5)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Drone roof surveys in High Ongar: local notes
Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
Take a building like High Ongar Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
High Ongar is about 6 miles north of Brentwood, in Essex. From houses to flats and shops in High Ongar, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. High Ongar is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work for drone roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
Every address in CM5 is covered for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. You will find streets like The Street, Mill Lane and Millfield. Close by, we survey roofs in Chipping Ongar (1 mile west), Shelley (1 mile north-west), Norton Mandeville (1 mile north-east), King Street (1 mile east) and Greensted (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Chelmsford (10 miles east), Basildon (12 miles south-east), Harlow (8 miles north-west), Brentwood (6 miles south), Billericay (9 miles south-east) and Loughton (9 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in High Ongar
Typical jobs here are in homes near Red Lion Public House and The Ongar Academy. Other landmarks nearby include Willingale Doe (3.7 miles north-east).
Places near High Ongar
Other services in High Ongar
Why get it checked now?
Close-up photos make conversations with roofers clearer. You can show exactly where the problem is, which helps when you ask for quotes. For an older or listed building in a place like High Ongar, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
What you get with us
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Prices that include VAT
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- 98% customer satisfaction
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £400, including VAT. You will know the exact price before you book.
Booking your survey
When you call or email, these details help:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photos included.
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.
Tips from our surveys
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Let us know what you want to see
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
You get an in-person consultation with the Premium Survey to talk through the photos and findings. It’s a chance to ask about anything in the report.
Look at the roof from ground level after strong winds. Debris in the garden is a sign to act on. A drone survey can show what has shifted.
How it works
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Older roofs in small places like High Ongar can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- 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
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
How to book
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
FAQs for High Ongar
Is drone flying allowed in High Ongar?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Will you come out to High Ongar?
Yes, High Ongar is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
What happens after the survey?
You’ll get the report by email, with photos and clear recommendations. With Standard there’s a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. We’ll talk about access as you book.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.