Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Islip, Oxfordshire
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Islip. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
What we can’t see
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
Drone roof survey in Islip
We fly a sub-250g drone, and we are a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. We keep it in sight throughout, and well below the 120-metre height limit. 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. We are frequently asked to look into damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below and vegetation in valleys and gutters, on tall and steep roofs, fragile roofs and valleys and parapet gutters.
Somewhere as small as Islip, older roofs are often steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you can’t get from the ground. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first, and the journey is planned in advance. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Where
- Islip (OX5)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Drone roof surveys around Islip
Older buildings in west Oxfordshire frequently have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Many roofs like these can’t be judged properly from the pavement, and that’s where a view from above or a thermal image earns its place. 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.
Take an older house close to St Nicholas' Church: older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help. If you look after a building such as Dr South's Church of England Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Islip is about 5 miles north of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. Islip gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Islip is one of the places in Oxfordshire we cover.
Every address in OX5 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Local streets include High Street, King's Head Lane and Middle Way, all of which we cover. If you are just outside Islip, we cover Gosford (2 miles south-west), Hampton Poyle (2 miles north-west), Kidlington (2 miles west), Bletchingdon (3 miles north-west) and Weston-on-the-Green (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Oxford (5 miles south), Didcot (15 miles south), Bicester (6 miles north-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (10 miles south), Witney (11 miles west) and Thame (12 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Islip
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Red Lion Inn and Gosford Hill School, among other places. There is a railway station in Islip itself: Islip station. Other landmarks nearby include Churchill Hospital (4.1 miles south). The countryside around Islip includes Otmoor RSPB reserve and Headington Hill.
For landlords and managing agents
Landlords and agents in Islip book surveys as well as householders. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll take it from there. The survey itself takes about one to two hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Older rural homes like those around Islip can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Any flight restriction at the address is checked, with permission requested if required.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are looked at.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Booking a survey
To get a price for drone roof surveys in Islip, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
Common roof problems in Islip
The top of a stack is the most exposed part of many roofs. From the ground, you rarely see cracked flaunching or loose pots. Close-up drone photos show their condition.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Damage after a storm that cannot be seen from below
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
With Holywell Manor about 4.6 miles south, the area around Islip has a long history. Close-up aerial shots and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Before booking anyone
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
What else we do in Islip
Roof by roof
Valleys and parapet gutters
When a parapet outlet blocks, water can come inside. We check outlets and photograph any build-up.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber around 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. Photos show how the covering is wearing.
Islip: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Islip?
Yes. Islip is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
How do I find out if my home in Islip is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
Does the weather affect a drone survey?
Strong wind or heavy rain stops a flight. Whether we can fly depends on the conditions on the day. If it’s unsuitable, we’ll agree another date or inspect by other means.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, tell us as you book.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose.
Prices for drone roof surveys in Islip
We confirm the price for your roof before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- Roof area
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT.
What to tell us when you contact us
When you call or email, these details help:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Anything about access we should know
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Where the property is, with the postcode
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know the cost up front. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.