Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Kidlington Drone Roof Survey
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for Kidlington, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Flashings that have come away
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
What we look for on each type of roof
Large commercial roofs
Cement sheet roofs on buildings from before 2000 may contain asbestos. We flag it in the report and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor.
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.
About our drone roof survey in Kidlington
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 within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. 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 ridge pieces that have lifted and wind damage high on the roof, across chimney stacks, flat roofs on upper floors and fragile roofs.
Around Kidlington, plenty 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. Both depend on the weather on the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Even so, a close-up image often shows wear on ridges and flashings that a view from ground level misses.
You receive the findings by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Place
- Kidlington (OX5)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Photographing a roof from the air does not touch it. Fragile slates and tiles stay as they are, so the survey does not create new problems. On a bungalow or cottage around Kidlington, the roof sits close to the rooms below, so a small leak can mark a ceiling within a few storms. Finding the cause first saves a second job inside.
Prices start from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, including VAT, and we’ll tell you which fits.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Kidlington
- An independent look at the roof
- PI and public liability insurance
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Package prices that include VAT
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
Drones, thermal imaging and Kidlington roofs
Kidlington is about 2 miles from Oxford Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Open category rules keep flights below 120 m (400 ft) and the drone within sight at all times.
Anyone responsible for a site like St Thomas More Catholic Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. With Blenheim Palace about 3.5 miles north-west, the area around Kidlington has a long history. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey from the air or with a thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself.
Kidlington is about 5 miles north-west of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. Kidlington gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. Across Oxfordshire, we cover Kidlington and the places around it.
Postcode districts we cover here for drone roof surveys: OX5. Whether your property is on High Street, Sterling Road and Exeter Road or anywhere close by, we can help. With the A4260 close by, Kidlington is simple for us to get to. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Gosford (1 mile south-east), Hampton Poyle (1 mile north-east), Islip (2 miles east), Bletchingdon (2 miles north) and Enslow (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Oxford (5 miles south-east), Didcot (15 miles south), Bicester (8 miles north-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (10 miles south), Witney (9 miles west) and Carterton (14 miles west).
Near you in Kidlington
Typical jobs here are in homes near Gosford Hill School and Red Lion pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Oxford Parkway station, about 1.3 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Oxford Castle (4.9 miles south) and Acland Hospital (4.3 miles south). Open spaces near Kidlington include Hook Meadow and The Trap Grounds.
Common roof problems in Kidlington
Not every roof can take a person’s weight. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and some sheet roofs are fragile. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
Look out for signs like these:
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Questions to ask before booking
- Their insurance cover
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their track record with similar roofs
The survey, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Some parts of a survey depend on the weather, so a visit to Kidlington is booked with the forecast in mind: drone flights and thermal imaging need the right conditions, while a look from ground level and the loft can go ahead in most weather.
- We confirm whether a drone suits your roof.
- A date is fixed, with a fallback in case the weather turns.
- Aerial photos are taken of your roof only, not the neighbours’.
- If the loft can be reached safely, it’s checked too.
- You get photos, findings and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Tell us about parking before the day
Arrange a survey
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email to find out.
Advice
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
What we can’t see
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we’re surveying
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Chimney stacks
Nearby places to Kidlington
More services for Kidlington
Questions from Kidlington
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Kidlington?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Oxford Airport is about 2 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
How do I find out if my home in Kidlington is listed?
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.
How fast do 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. Mention any deadline as you book.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. The written report follows by email.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
How many surveys have you done?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We note visible signs like sagging or deflection, but we do not carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.