Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Hothfield
Drone roof surveys around Hothfield, with a written report you can act on. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
Drone roof survey in Hothfield: what you get
Our drone weighs under 250g, 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 well below the 120-metre height limit. Each flight is planned with the site and its surroundings in mind. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. We never fly where it isn’t safe. We are often asked to look into damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below and cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below, on chimney stacks, flat roofs on upper floors and fragile roofs.
Villages like Hothfield often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Hothfield (TN26)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Checking the roof from the ground
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey.
What a drone roof survey looks like in Hothfield
Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Older coverings on steep or tall roofs are hard to judge from below, so close-up photos from the air and thermal images help.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like The Hayesbrook School, big roofs are where aerial photos and thermal images show the most at once. Historic houses such as Godinton House, about 1 mile south-east, show how far back building around Hothfield goes. A drone or thermal survey does not involve any work on the roof, which suits older buildings. The streets around a church such as Church of St Margaret are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Hothfield is about 3 miles north-west of Ashford, in Kent. We carry out drone roof surveys in Hothfield for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
Drone roof surveys in TN26 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need a drone roof survey at a property on The Street, Sackville Close and Beech Drive or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Other places close to Hothfield include Tutt Hill (1 mile north), Ram Lane (1 mile north), Potters Corner (1 mile east), Westwell Leacon (2 miles north) and Godinton (2 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Maidstone (14 miles north-west), Ashford (3 miles south-east), Canterbury (14 miles north-east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north), Faversham (10 miles north) and Hythe (13 miles south-east).
What’s near Hothfield
Hothfield’s nearest station is Charing station, roughly 2.9 miles north-west of the centre. A little further out are County Square (2.7 miles south-east) and William Harvey Hospital (4.6 miles south-east).
Honest limits
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
What happens if roof problems are left?
A drone record gives you a baseline. Next time, you can compare and see what has moved or worn. It is useful for planning maintenance over the years. Older cottages and farmhouses around Hothfield can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why us?
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Photos and a written report every time
- 20+ years’ experience
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or our case studies.
What happens on the day
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the roof space if there is safe access. All told, expect about one to two hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Cottages and farmhouses around Hothfield frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You give us the address and tell us about the roof.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- We fly the sub-250g drone close to the roof and photograph each area.
- The findings, photos and recommendations reach you by email.
Before the survey
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
How to book
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Nearby places to Hothfield
What else we do in Hothfield
Hothfield: your questions answered
Are there drone restrictions around Hothfield?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Strong wind or a downpour also stops a small drone flying.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hothfield?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Does someone need to be in?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. Access is agreed with you when you book.
How fast do I get the report?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. The report is emailed to you.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we do not carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
Are you insured?
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.
Prices for drone roof surveys in Hothfield
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How big the roof is
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
What to let us know when you contact us
You do not need to know any roofing terms. Just tell us:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Before and after the survey
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Be ready to move the date if the weather turns
- Let us know what you want to see
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
- Clear the loft hatch so we can check inside too
Keep the photos with your property records. They’re a useful baseline for future surveys, and they help if you sell.
Every so frequently, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. A drone sees the outside, but the loft shows leaks and condensation from below. Take photos of any changes.