Kent · London and the South East
Hillborough Drone Roof Survey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Hillborough. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
How a drone roof survey works in Hillborough
Drone surveys suit tall houses, blocks of flats, steep roofs and large commercial roofs. They also suit fragile roofs that nobody should walk on, such as old slate, clay tiles or cement sheets. You get close-up views without anyone setting foot on the roof. Ahead of the visit, we check the address for any airspace restrictions that apply. If a drone is not the right tool, we will say so. Common reasons to book are lead work pulling away at abutments and chimney tops in poor condition, on valleys and parapet gutters, chimney stacks and tall and steep roofs.
Around Hillborough, lots of roofs are low enough to see partly from the garden or the street. Chimney tops, valleys and rear slopes are where close-up or thermal images help most. The forecast decides the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Close-up images frequently show wear on ridges, verges and flashings that cannot be judged properly from the ground.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Where
- Hillborough (CT6)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Valleys and parapet gutters
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a valley in the middle. It is almost impossible to see from ground level, but it’s plain to see from the air.
Large commercial roofs
Big roofs on offices, warehouses and units take time to inspect. A drone photographs the whole surface methodically.
Do you need a drone roof survey in Hillborough?
Chimney tops take the worst of the weather. Cracked flaunching, loose pots and eroded pointing are often invisible from below. A drone gets close enough to see them in detail.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Damage after a storm that cannot be seen from below
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary the Virgin: steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that is where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
Hillborough: your questions answered
Is my home in Hillborough listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Hillborough within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, like cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
What happens after the survey?
You will receive the report by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
How do I arrange a drone roof survey in Hillborough?
The quickest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Let us know the address and a little about the roof, and we will take it from there. We survey on any day of the week.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
Leave it or get it looked at?
A drone survey disturbs nothing on the roof. Nothing is cracked or dislodged by footsteps, so you see the roof exactly as it is. Around Hillborough, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls, especially where trees overhang. It is easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Our price is from £400, including VAT.
What you get with us
- An independent view of the roof
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
The survey, step by step
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take an hour or two for a house, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Being in a smaller place like Hillborough doesn’t change how the visit works: we look from ground level, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it is safe. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- We arrange any permission that is needed before we fly.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- The drone captures close-up photos of the coverings, chimneys, valleys and gutters.
- Your report arrives by email, with close-up photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Book a survey
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or email us, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Read more
Landlords, agents and block managers in Hillborough
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Places near Hillborough
Other services in Hillborough
Drone roof surveys around Hillborough
Hillborough lies within about 1 mile of the sea, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it is listed or in a conservation area. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
If you look after a building such as Reculver Church of England Primary School, big roofs are where close-up aerial shots and thermal images show the most at once.
Hillborough is about 2 miles east of Herne Bay, in Kent. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Hillborough can all book drone roof surveys. Our area takes in places right across Kent. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
Surveys in CT6 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You’ll find streets like Manor Road, Puffin Road and Neville Road, and we cover them all. Hillborough sits on or near the A299, which makes travel easy. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Hawthorn (1 mile south-east), Bishopstone (1 mile north), Beltinge (1 mile north-west), Broomfield (1 mile south-west) and Highstead (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (7 miles south-west), Margate (9 miles east), Ramsgate (11 miles east), Broadstairs (11 miles east), Whitstable (6 miles west) and Deal (14 miles south-east).
What’s near Hillborough
Typical jobs here are in homes near Bishopstone Cliffs and The Huntsman And Horn Public House, among other places. The closest station to Hillborough is Herne Bay station, roughly 2.2 miles west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.2 miles west). Open spaces near Hillborough include West Blean and Thornden Woods.