Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Patcham, Brighton and Hove
Drone roof surveys in Patcham from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
Questions from Patcham
Do you cover smaller places like Patcham?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Are there drone restrictions around Patcham?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
Do you look in the loft space?
Where it is relevant to the survey and there is safe access, yes. Please clear anything stored under the hatch.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. Access is agreed with you when you book.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report, so you can see each point for yourself.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
What will the report tell me?
A written report with photos, covering the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Patcham
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. A drone inspection, where applicable, is also part of our Premium Survey, along with structural analysis, a same-day report and an in-person consultation. It also includes a follow-up after 12 months. If a drone won’t help on your roof, we will say so. Every drone survey comes with a written report and close-up photographs. We survey chimney stacks, tall and steep roofs and valleys and parapet gutters, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are standing water on a flat roof and moss and weeds taking hold up top.
Places like Patcham can be near small airfields or other airspace restrictions, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Open ground can mean stronger wind, which also affects whether a small drone can fly. Neighbours’ privacy is part of planning each flight, along with the airspace and the weather.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- Patcham (BN1)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to Patcham
Other services in Patcham
What we do, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect everything that’s safely in view, and anything we can’t see is noted in the report. Most visits take an hour or two for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Parking around Patcham is typically easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside.
- We confirm whether a drone suits your roof.
- We agree a date, including weekends, subject to the weather.
- The roof is photographed from the air, with the camera kept on your property.
- If the loft can be reached safely, it is checked too.
- The report sets out what we found, with photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
Book a survey
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or email us, tell us about the property and we’ll suggest the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Landlord and commercial surveys in Patcham
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
Airspace, weather and Patcham roofs
Patcham lies within about 3 miles of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour. 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.
Preston Manor & Gardens, about 1.5 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Patcham. For older roofs nearby, a look from the air or with a thermal camera is a hands-off way to check condition. If you run a business near Churchill Square, thermal images can show trapped moisture across a wide commercial roof.
Patcham is about 2 miles north of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. Wherever you are in Patcham, we can come and survey your property. Our area takes in places right across Brighton and Hove, from the larger towns to small villages.
All of BN1 is covered for drone roof surveys. Whether your property is on London Road, Vale Avenue and Eldred Avenue or anywhere close by, we can help. We also cover Waterhall (1 mile north-west), Westdene (1 mile south-west), Hollingbury (1 mile east), Withdean (1 mile south) and Preston (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Carlton Hill (3 miles south), Hanover (3 miles south), Brunswick (3 miles south), Kemptown (4 miles south-east), Whitehawk (3 miles south-east) and Aldrington (3 miles south-west).
What’s near Patcham
In Patcham, that means homes and buildings near Withdean Park, Patcham High School and The Dharma Primary School. Patcham’s nearest station is Preston Park station, about 1.3 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Clayton Castle (3.1 miles north) and Brighton Transport Museum (1.8 miles south). Not far away are Ditchling Beacon and Ladies Mile.
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs on tall buildings
The flat roof on top of a block is rarely looked at. A drone shows ponding, splits, blisters and worn upstands.
Valleys and parapet gutters
A butterfly roof drains to a central valley gutter. It is almost impossible to see from the ground, but it’s plain to see from the air.
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. The main factors are:
- House, block, shop or office
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Helping us price your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- What’s prompted the survey
- The address and postcode of the property
- Anything about access we should know
For a price for drone roof surveys in Patcham, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us give you an accurate price.
Practical tips
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Expect us to rearrange if it is too windy or wet
- Make sure there is room outside for the drone to take off
- Let us know about any leaks or concerns
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the location and extent of every problem.
Every so often, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. The underside often shows problems before the outside does. Take photos of any changes.
Common roof problems in Patcham
Not every roof can take a person’s weight. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and some sheet roofs are fragile. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
Take a building like Patcham Infant School: big roofs are where aerial photos and thermal images show the most at once.
Before you book anyone
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Is VAT included in the price?
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?