Essex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Higham, Essex
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Higham. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
What this survey can’t tell you
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs on upper floors
About our drone roof survey in Higham
Every flight starts with an airspace check. Flight restriction zones around airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and London City need permission from the airport or air traffic control. Parts of central London have restricted areas too, where NATS permission is needed. If permission is not given, we inspect by other means and tell you. Prison sites also have drone restriction zones. If you’ve noticed tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack and ridge pieces that have lifted, we can find out what’s behind it, on flat roofs on upper floors, tall and steep roofs and chimney stacks alike.
Older buildings in small places like Higham may be listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photographs show what each point refers to, with the urgent items made clear.
- Place
- Higham (CO7)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we check:
- House, block, shop or office
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Which survey package you book
One thing that affects the price is the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Getting in touch
We will typically ask about:
- When you need the report by
- Anything about access we should know
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- The property’s address and postcode
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Checking the roof from the ground
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry.
Higham: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Higham?
Yes, Higham is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
How do I find out if my home in Higham is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. We check everything that can be seen safely: from ground level, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where applicable. The report says if anything couldn’t be seen.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys, across London and South East England.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first, so the weather decides. We will not fly in high wind or heavy rain. We will talk through the options if the day turns bad.
Is a drone roof survey a thermal survey?
Our drone survey is about close-up photos. Thermal imaging comes with the Premium Survey.
Towns and villages near Higham
Also in Higham
What we’re asked to look at in Higham
Many roofs are never seen properly from the ground. Rear slopes, valleys and the tops of chimneys are hidden. Problems in those places often go unseen until they leak.
People usually book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Standing water on a flat roof
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What insurance they carry
The survey, step by step
We don’t take risks to get a closer look. We inspect what can safely be seen, and anything we can’t see is noted in the report. The survey normally takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In a small place like Higham, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- We email a written report with the photographs and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Keep pets in another room
- Find any records of previous roof work
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
Drone roof surveys around Higham
Higham lies within about 5 miles of the sea, where wind off 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. We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
With Castle House about 2.6 miles south-east, the area around Higham has a long history. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey by drone or thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself. Take a building like Stratford St Mary Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Higham is about 7 miles north-east of Colchester, in Essex. We survey roofs in Higham and the rest of Essex. Higham is one of the places in Essex we cover for drone roof surveys. You can also see our page for Chelmsford.
Drone roof surveys in CO7 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Stratford St Mary (1 mile south-east), Thorington Street (1 mile west), Holton St Mary (2 miles north-east), Withermarsh Green (2 miles north-west) and Dedham (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Colchester (7 miles south-west), Clacton-on-Sea (15 miles south-east), Harwich (13 miles east), Camulodunum (8 miles south-west), Halstead (14 miles west) and Greenstead (6 miles south).
Local landmarks in Higham
We work in homes and buildings around The Swan Inn. Higham’s nearest station is Manningtree station, roughly 4.2 miles south-east. Nearby you’ll also find Severalls Hospital (5.2 miles south-west) and Little Wenham Castle (3.6 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Cattawade Marshes.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.