Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Highsted
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach across Highsted, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
Drone roof survey in Highsted: what you get
We fly a sub-250g drone, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. It stays within sight for the whole flight, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. Every flight is planned around the roof, the site and the people nearby. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. We never fly where it isn’t safe. Common reasons to book are worn lead at chimneys and walls and tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack, across fragile roofs, valleys and parapet gutters and flat roofs on upper floors.
Somewhere as small as Highsted, older roofs are often steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you cannot get from the ground. Weather and airspace are checked ahead of the visit, and the journey is planned in advance. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
Where we can’t see part of the roof, the report says so. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Highsted (ME9)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
When you need someone else
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
Towns and villages near Highsted
What else we do in Highsted
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Photographing a roof from the air does not touch it. Fragile slates and tiles stay as they are, so you see the roof exactly as it is. In a small place like Highsted, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT.
Why us?
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Photos and a written report every time
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
Landlords, agents and block managers in Highsted
Landlords and agents in Highsted book surveys as well as homeowners. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof, useful for planning maintenance.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Let us know about it when booking and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
How the survey works
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. In total, it takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. In a small place like Highsted, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start with the address and what you’d like checked.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- The findings, photos and recommendations reach you by email.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
Tips from our surveys
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Be ready to move the date if the weather turns
- Check the loft can be reached
- Keep a clear space in the garden or drive for take-off
- Tell us the exact address as you book
The Premium Survey report comes the same day. It includes the drone photos where a flight was possible.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Poor airflow lets condensation build up. Check insulation doesn’t block the airflow.
Questions from Highsted
Are there drone restrictions around Highsted?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain.
Will you come out to Highsted?
Yes, Highsted is covered. Our area covers London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Let us know your preferred days when booking.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not normally stop a survey. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Not unless it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where it applies, a drone, and anything out of sight is recorded in the report.
How long does the survey take?
Expect it to take about 1–2 hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. The written report follows by email.
Flying and imaging in Highsted
Highsted is within about 4 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. You will also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Steep or complicated roofs are frequently hard to see from ground level, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Nicholas, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that is where a view from above or with a thermal imager helps. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Rodmersham School, a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Highsted is about 2 miles south of Sittingbourne, in Kent. Highsted is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Maidstone is in our area too.
Here we cover the ME9 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Local streets include Stockers Hill and Highsted Road, all of which we cover. We also cover the places around Highsted: Rodmersham Green (1 mile east), Rodmersham (1 mile east), Tunstall (1 mile west), Bapchild (1 mile east) and Dungate (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (10 miles west), Ashford (13 miles south-east), Canterbury (15 miles east), Whitstable (13 miles east), Faversham (6 miles east) and Minster (7 miles north).
What’s near Highsted
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Fulston Manor School and Cromers Wood and the streets around them. The closest station to Highsted is Sittingbourne station, about 1.6 miles north of the centre. Nearby you will also find Sittingbourne Heritage Museum (1.4 miles north) and Bayford Court (1.7 miles north).