Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Lyford
We take a careful look at the roof at your property in Lyford, and put it all in a photo-illustrated written report.
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Damage after a storm that cannot be seen from below
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
Drone roof survey in Lyford: what you get
A drone shows the outside of a roof very well, but it cannot see under the coverings or into the loft. We check the loft from inside where it’s safe, since that is where leaks and condensation frequently show first. Inside and out together tell you far more. The report sets out what the drone showed and what we found inside. Where the loft can’t be reached safely, we note it. Typical surveys look at cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below and worn lead at chimneys and walls, across chimney stacks, tall and steep roofs and flat roofs on upper floors.
Some older homes in villages like Lyford are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it is a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof, before anyone decides what work it needs. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Where
- Lyford (OX12)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Flying and imaging in Lyford
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons.
Historic houses such as Longworth House, about 3.2 miles north, show how far back building around Lyford goes. For older roofs nearby, a look from above or with a thermal imager is a hands-off way to check condition.
Lyford is about 4 miles north of Wantage, in Oxfordshire. Lyford gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at everything that’s safely in view, photographs and a clear written report. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our Oxford page covers surveys nearby.
We work across OX12 for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Charney Bassett (1 mile west), West Hanney (1 mile south-east), Denchworth (2 miles south), Kingston Bagpuize (3 miles north) and Pusey (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Oxford (11 miles north-east), Didcot (8 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (7 miles east), Witney (10 miles north), Carterton (11 miles north-west) and Wantage (4 miles south).
Landmarks near Lyford
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Chequers pub and the streets around them. A little further out are Abingdon Community Hospital (6 miles east) and Hinton Waldrist Castle (3.1 miles north). Not far away are Hitchcopse Pit and Chain Hill.
Nearby places to Lyford
What else we do in Lyford
What happens if roof problems are left?
On a tall building, problems are often found only when water comes in. By then, timbers, ceilings and insulation may be wet. A drone survey finds them sooner. Older cottages and farmhouses around Lyford can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it’s left.
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.
Why us?
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Weekday and weekend surveys
Read how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
The survey, step by step
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take between one and two hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. Somewhere as small as Lyford, access is frequently the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- Before the flight, we check the conditions and the take-off spot.
- The drone captures close-up photos of the coverings, chimneys, valleys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Keep pets in another room
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Lyford questions
Is my home in Lyford listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you cover smaller places like Lyford?
Yes. Lyford is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
How long will you be at the property?
Expect it to take between one and two hours at a typical home; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. That includes checking the site and the weather before take-off.
How many surveys have you done?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Common roof problems in Lyford
Hidden gutters and valleys are easy to overlook. Leaves, silt and plant growth build up unseen, until it causes a leak inside. A drone shows them clearly from above.
Common reasons to book include:
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Damage after a storm that cannot be seen from below
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near Church of St Mary, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What happens after the report arrives
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Is VAT included in the price?
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents and landlords in Lyford book surveys as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photographs, useful for planning maintenance.
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 with less disruption.
What a drone roof survey doesn’t cover
A survey is a proper look at the roof, but it can’t do everything. The main limits are:
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we’re surveying
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Lyford
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. The main factors are:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- House, block, shop or office
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT.
What we need to know
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It helps to include:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- When you need the report by
- Anything about access we should know
We confirm the exact price before you book, so you know the cost up front. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.