Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

Kent · London and the South East

Drone roof survey in Leigh, Kent

An experienced roof surveyor for drone roof surveys in Leigh. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.

  • Standing water on a flat roof
  • Ridge pieces that have lifted
  • Eroded pointing on a chimney stack

Drone roof surveys for Leigh homes and businesses

Drone roof survey in Leigh: what you get

Our drone weighs under 250g, and we’re 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. Every flight is planned around the roof, the site and the people nearby. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. Safety comes first on every visit. We are often asked to look into wind damage high on the roof and gaps where slates or tiles have gone, on chimney stacks, tall and steep roofs and fragile roofs.

Some older homes in villages like Leigh are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care, before anyone decides what work it needs. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.

The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.

Illustration of a written roof report with a magnifying glass and a ticked clipboard
Place
Leigh (TN11)
Wider area
Kent
Price
From £400 inc. VAT
Your report
A written report with photos, by email
When we survey
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Insurance
Professional indemnity and public liability
Telephone
07833 053749
Updated
27 October 2026

DIY checks: what’s safe

The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.

During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.

How the survey works

When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from the ground, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where applicable. Most surveys take about 1–2 hours for most houses, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Older roofs in small places like Leigh can have low, tight loft spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.

  1. First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
  2. We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
  3. We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
  4. Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
  5. We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.

How to prepare

  • For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
  • Leave side gates unlocked
  • Keep pets in another room

Booking a survey

Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.

Book your survey

Related advice

How the survey changes by roof type

Ridges and hips

Wind lifts loose ridge and hip tiles. Spotting them early stops them falling.

Flat roofs on tall buildings

Leaks often start at outlets, edges and around plant. We photograph them closely, as far as the flight allows.

Your questions about drone roof surveys in Leigh

Does a conservation area affect roof work in Leigh?

We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.

Will you come out to Leigh?

Yes, Leigh is covered. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.

What if it’s windy or raining on the day?

Strong wind or heavy rain stops a flight. Whether we can fly depends on the conditions on the day. If it is unsuitable, we’ll agree another date or inspect by other means.

What does the report include?

It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photos throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.

Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?

Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the survey around it.

Do I have to be there for the survey?

Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.

How experienced are you?

We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys.

What a drone roof survey doesn’t cover

This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:

  • A structural engineer’s report
  • Flights in strong wind or a downpour
  • Flights in a restricted zone without permission

If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.

What this survey covers

  • Large and complex roofs
  • Valleys and parapet gutters
  • Flat roofs on upper floors
  • Fragile roofs
  • Tall and steep roofs
  • Chimney stacks

What affects the cost of drone roof surveys

To price your survey, we look at:

  • The use of thermal imaging or a drone
  • The roof’s overall size
  • The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
  • Basic, Standard or Premium

Prices start from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included.

What to let us know when you contact us

Before you get in touch, it helps to have:

  • Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
  • Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
  • The kind of building and roof involved
  • Any deadline, like an exchange date

Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from the ground or a window, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To get started, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.

Drones, thermal imaging and Leigh roofs

Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. You will also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail. Historic houses like Penshurst Place, about 2 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Leigh goes. If yours is one of the older homes, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.

If you live in an older home near St Mary's Church, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that’s where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps. Anyone responsible for a site like Leigh Primary School will know that thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.

Leigh is about 3 miles west of Tonbridge, in Kent. From houses to flats and shops in Leigh, we can survey the roof. Across Kent, we cover Leigh. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.

We work across the TN11 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Whether your property is on High Street, Green View Avenue and The Green or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Lower Haysden (1 mile east), Printstile (2 miles south), Bidborough (2 miles south-east), Tonbridge (3 miles east) and Stockland Green (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (14 miles east), Sevenoaks (6 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (5 miles south-east), Swanley (14 miles north), Kings Hill (10 miles north-east) and Foley Park (15 miles north-east).

What’s near Leigh

We work in homes and buildings around Haysden Country Park, Fleur De Lis Cottages Fleur De Lis Public House and The Judd School. There is a railway station in Leigh itself: Leigh (Kent) station. Nearby you will also find Tonbridge Cottage Hospital (2.7 miles south-east) and The Milne Museum (2.4 miles east). Open spaces near Leigh include Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve and Barden Lake.

Map of Leigh © OpenStreetMap contributors

Useful tips for Leigh property owners

Small things make a difference. Our tips:

  • Shut pets inside while we fly
  • Tell us about any leaks or concerns
  • Expect a little longer if permission is needed
  • Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions

Your report arrives by email, including the close-up photos taken by the drone. Findings are set out in plain English, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.

Every so often, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. The underside frequently shows problems before the outside does. Photograph anything new.

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT