Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Hove
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach across Hove, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
Drones, thermal imaging and Hove roofs
Hove is within about 1 mile of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons.
If you run a business near Churchill Square, thermal images can show trapped moisture across a wide commercial roof. Take a building like St Andrew's CofE (Aided) Primary School: a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit. Preston Manor & Gardens, about 1.3 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Hove. Close-up aerial shots and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Hove is about 2 miles west of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. Anywhere in Hove, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Hove is one of the towns and villages in Brighton and Hove where we work for drone roof surveys.
Surveys in BN3, BN1 and BN52 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Streets in the area include Farm Road, York Road and Aymer Road. Being close to the A270 and A2023, Hove is simple for us to get to. Close by, we survey roofs in Brighton and Hove (1 mile north-west), Brunswick (1 mile south-east), Aldrington (1 mile west), Prestonville (1 mile north-east) and West Blatchington (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Kemptown (3 miles east), Whitehawk (3 miles east), Moulsecoomb (3 miles east), Hollingbury (3 miles north-east), Bevendean (3 miles east) and Saltdean (6 miles east). Being one of Brighton and Hove’s larger places, Hove has homes, rented property and businesses of every kind.
What’s near Hove
In Hove, that means homes and buildings near The Drive Prep School, St. Ann's Well Gardens and The Urchin pub, among other places. There is a railway station in Hove itself: Hove station. Well-known places in the area include British Engineerium (0.9 miles north) and Montefiore Hospital (0.7 miles east). For a walk, there’s Whitehawk Hill and Thundersbarrow Hill.
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Hove
Drones need reasonable weather. High wind or heavy rain rules out a flight, because the drone has to stay safely under control. If the day turns out unsuitable, we will talk about another date. The forecast is checked ahead of the visit and again on the day. Light wind and dry weather give the clearest close-up photos. A short delay is better than a rushed flight. We survey valleys and parapet gutters, large and complex roofs and flat roofs on upper floors, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are wind damage high on the roof and ridge and hip pieces working loose.
In a town like Hove, the roofs that are hardest to see are frequently on taller buildings, steep slopes or the backs of terraces. Close-up drone photos and thermal images show what binoculars from the pavement can’t. Each needs the right weather. A typical example is the rear slope over a back addition, which can’t be seen from the street.
It isn’t only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Location
- Hove (BN3, BN1, BN52)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
Our drone check of a chimney is visual, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If the flue needs a specialist, we will tell you.
Ridges and hips
Ridges may be bedded in mortar or mechanically fixed. Their condition is noted in the report.
Checking the roof from the ground
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
Tips that help
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Expect us to rearrange if it’s too windy or wet
- Tell us the exact address when booking
- Move stored items away from the hatch
With the Premium Survey, the report arrives the same day. Drone photographs are included where we could fly, alongside the other checks in the package.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly in autumn. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Blocked hidden gutters cause many leaks.
Why act early in Hove
Close-up photos make conversations with roofers clearer. They show the location and extent of each defect. A defect spotted early can be planned and budgeted for, whereas a leak tends to force the timing on you, in Hove as anywhere.
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
What you get with us
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Surveys seven days a week
Read what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Hove questions
Do you cover Hove?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and Hove is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Hove is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Are there drone restrictions in central London?
In some places, only with permission. Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs have restricted areas that need NATS permission. We check each address first, and fall back on other viewpoints if we cannot fly.
How much is a survey?
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose, confirmed before anything is booked.
Can you fly a drone near an airport?
That depends on where the roof is. Inside a flight restriction zone, we need permission first. Book early if you think you may be affected.
Does your drone take thermal images?
The drone gives you detailed photos of the outside of the roof. Thermal imaging comes with the Premium Survey, as a separate check.
The survey, step by step
We check the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. A typical visit in Hove begins with the street side of the roof and then moves round the building. Rear gardens and side paths frequently give the best view of extensions and back slopes. The loft comes next, where there’s safe access.
- We start by making sure a drone flight makes sense for the roof.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday, weather permitting.
- Aerial photos are taken of your roof only, not the neighbours’.
- We also look inside the roof space where it’s safe.
- Everything is written up, with the aerial photos and our advice.
Before the survey
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
Towns and villages near Hove
What else we do in Hove
Honest limits
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Flights in high wind or heavy rain
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Hove
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs