West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Oving, West Sussex
We take a careful look at the roof at your property in Oving, with photographs and a written report.
- Ponding and splits on a high flat roof
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Chimney tops in poor condition
How a drone roof survey works in Oving
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 is 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. If there is no safe loft access, the report says so. Typical surveys look at loose ridge and hip tiles and wind damage high on the roof, on tall and steep roofs, large and complex roofs and fragile roofs.
In a small place like Oving, open ground can mean strong wind. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Oving (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Drones, thermal imaging and Oving roofs
Oving is within about 5 miles of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour. Oving is about 3 miles from Goodwood Aerodrome, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly.
If you look after a building such as Westbourne House School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. Goodwood House lies about 2.4 miles north, so building around Oving goes back a long way. For older roofs nearby, a look from the air or with a thermal camera is a hands-off way to check condition.
Oving is about 3 miles east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Roofs in Oving get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Our West Sussex coverage includes Oving and the places around it. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
Drone roof surveys in PO20 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you need a drone roof survey at a property on Church Lane, Sampsons Drive and Highfield Lane or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Other places close to Oving include Shopwyke (1 mile west), Tangmere (1 mile north), Maudlin (1 mile north-west), Merston (1 mile south) and Boxgrove (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Worthing (14 miles east), Bognor Regis (4 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles west), Selsey (8 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Local landmarks in Oving
Typical jobs here are in homes near Tangmere Primary Academy and Chichester High School For Girls and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Chichester station, about 2.7 miles west. A little further out are St Richard's Hospital (2.1 miles west) and Tote Copse Castle (1.4 miles east).
What happens on the day
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Cottages and farmhouses around Oving often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Check we can get to the back of the property
Arrange a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
What we’re asked to look at in Oving
The top of a stack is the most exposed part of many roofs. Cracked flaunching, loose pots and eroded pointing are often invisible from below. A drone gets close enough to see them in detail.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Andrew: steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that is where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What insurance they carry
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
Roof by roof
Steep slate and tile slopes
On slate roofs, slipped slates frequently point to corroded nails. Close-up photos show how widespread it is.
Valleys and parapet gutters
Hidden gutters and valleys sit out of sight. A drone shows linings, joints and build-ups of debris.
Also near Oving
More services for Oving
Honest limits
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we’re surveying
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- A structural engineer’s report
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. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Oving
- Large and complex roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Tall and steep roofs
- Fragile roofs
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Oving
Is drone flying allowed in Oving?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Oving is about 3 miles from Goodwood Aerodrome, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
How do I find out if my home in Oving is listed?
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.
What happens after the survey?
You will get the report by email. With Standard there’s a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
It depends on what we need to see. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in, while outside access can be discussed as you book.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only if it is safe. We check everything that can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows, from inside the loft space, from the roof where it is safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we can’t see is noted in the report.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- How big the roof is
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
What we need to know
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Oving
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.