Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Mackney
We carry out drone roof surveys in Mackney and the rest of Oxfordshire. Surveys run seven days a week.
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
Signs you need a drone roof survey in Mackney
Many roofs are never seen properly from the ground. Rear slopes, valleys and the tops of chimneys are hidden. Problems in those places often go unseen until they leak, which is why owners turn to a drone.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Flashings that have come away
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
If you live in an older home near Church of St Agatha, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Drone roof survey in Mackney: what you get
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. It stays within sight for the whole flight, and well below the 120-metre height limit. 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. If you’re worried about chimney tops in poor condition and slates or tiles shifted by high winds, we can find out what’s behind it, on valleys and parapet gutters, flat roofs on upper floors and large and complex roofs alike.
Somewhere as small as Mackney, older roofs are frequently steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what can’t be reached safely. 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.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Mackney (OX10)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Leave it or get it looked at?
Photos from a drone survey show how the roof looks today. Comparing them with later photos shows what has changed. It is useful for planning maintenance over the years. Outbuildings and barns around Mackney are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you’d like to know.
What you get with us
- Photos and a written report every time
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
Surveys for landlords and agents in Mackney
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Can I check my roof myself?
You can learn a lot from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Don’t go up yourself.
Places near Mackney
What else we do in Mackney
What we look for on each type of roof
Large commercial roofs
Cement sheet roofs on buildings from before 2000 may contain asbestos. We don’t test for it, but we flag it and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor.
Chimney stacks
Leaning stacks and loose pots are easier to judge from above. Each defect is photographed for the report.
The survey, step by step
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. We then inspect everything that can be seen safely. Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Rural addresses near Mackney can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- The sub-250g drone takes close-up photographs of the roof, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
Book a survey
For a price for drone roof surveys in Mackney, phone 07833 053749 or email us. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Read more
Flying and imaging in Mackney
Mackney is about 3 miles from RAF Benson, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. Brightwell Manor, about 0.5 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Mackney. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Anyone responsible for a site like Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell Church of England Primary School will know that thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Mackney is about 4 miles east of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. In Mackney, as across Oxfordshire, every roof gets the same careful survey. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire. For surveys nearby, see our Oxford page.
Postcode districts we cover here for drone roof surveys: OX10. Other places close to Mackney include Brightwell-cum-Sotwell (1 mile north), North Moreton (1 mile west), Wallingford (1 mile east), Shillingford (2 miles north-east) and Little Wittenham (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Oxford (10 miles north), Didcot (4 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (7 miles north-west), Thame (13 miles north-east), Wantage (11 miles west) and Henley-on-Thames (12 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Mackney
Around Mackney, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Wallingford School and Kinecroft, among other places. The nearest railway station is Cholsey station, about 2.4 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Pendon Museum (3.3 miles north-west) and Brightwell Castle (0.5 miles north). Not far away are Wittenham Clumps and Cholsey Marsh.
Mackney questions
Are there drone restrictions around Mackney?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Mackney is about 3 miles from RAF Benson, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. Strong wind or a downpour also stops a small drone flying.
Is my home in Mackney listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. Where a material might contain it, like old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
How much does a drone roof survey cost in Mackney?
Prices start from £400, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking. To get a price, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, tell us when booking.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there’s safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.