East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Newhaven, East Sussex
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. Drone roof surveys in Newhaven.
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as householders. A written report with photographs gives you a clear record of the roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Drone roof survey in Newhaven: what you get
A drone can see more than your roof, so we take care. We keep the camera on the roof we’re surveying, not on gardens or windows next door. If your roof is joined to a neighbour’s, it is worth letting them know about the visit. We survey the roof you’ve asked us to look at. Flights are kept as short as the job allows and focused on the roof in question. We survey large and complex roofs, flat roofs on upper floors and fragile roofs, and people most frequently book us about moss and weeds taking hold up top and outlets choked with leaves and silt.
Around a town like Newhaven, steep roofs, tall gables and rear slopes are often hidden from the ground. Close-up drone photos and thermal images show what binoculars from the pavement can’t. Both depend on the weather on the day, so the date is set with the forecast in mind. A typical example is the rear slope over a back addition, which cannot be seen from the street.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Location
- Newhaven (BN9)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Steep slate and tile slopes
Walking on fragile coverings can break them. The drone sees them without touching them.
Ridges and hips
Loose ridge pieces can be lifted in a storm. Finding them early keeps them from coming down.
Checking the roof from ground level
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That’s where a survey comes in.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Honest limits
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
Also near Newhaven
More services for Newhaven
How the survey works
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings as a written report with photos, sent to you by email. On timing, most surveys take between one and two hours for most houses, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Most visits in a town like Newhaven start at the front of the house and work round to the back. Rear gardens and side paths frequently give the best view of extensions and back slopes. The loft comes next, where there is safe access.
- We start by making sure a drone flight makes sense for the roof.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday, weather permitting.
- Aerial photos are taken of your roof only, not the neighbours’.
- We also look inside the roof space where it is safe.
- You get photos, findings and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Read more
Practical tips
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Shut pets inside while we fly
- Check the loft can be reached
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the location and extent of every problem, so their quotes cover the same ground.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. The underside frequently shows problems before the outside does. Take photos of any changes.
Flying and imaging in Newhaven
Newhaven lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons.
Take a building like UTC@Harbourside: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of St Michael and All Angels, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image. Monk's House, about 3.4 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Newhaven. For older roofs nearby, a look from above or with a thermal imager is a hands-off way to check condition.
Newhaven is about 8 miles east of Brighton, in East Sussex. Roofs in Newhaven get the same thorough look as anywhere else in East Sussex. Newhaven is one of the towns and villages in East Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Brighton.
We work across the BN9 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Local streets include High Street, Station Road and Dacre Road, all of which we cover. Main roads around Newhaven include the A26 and A259. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Denton (1 mile north-east), South Heighton (1 mile north), Piddinghoe (1 mile north-west), Tide Mills (1 mile south-east) and Norton (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (10 miles east), Seaford (3 miles south-east), Lewes (6 miles north), Hailsham (10 miles north-east), Uckfield (12 miles north) and Telscombe (3 miles west). Newhaven is one of the larger places we cover in East Sussex.
Local landmarks in Newhaven
Typical jobs here are in homes near Harbour Primary and Nursery School, The Ship Hotel and Castle Hill. Newhaven has its own railway station: Newhaven Town station. Well-known places in the area include Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (1.2 miles south-east) and Newhaven Museum (0.5 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Itford Hill.
Common questions in Newhaven
Is drone flying allowed in Newhaven?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Newhaven?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What do I do with the report?
The report arrives by email, with photos and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
How soon will I get the report?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know as you book.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. In strong wind or a downpour, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, so we’d move the date with you.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.