East Sussex · London and the South East
Plumpton Drone Roof Survey
Independent drone roof surveys in Plumpton. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
How a drone roof survey works in Plumpton
Every flight starts with an airspace check. Flight restriction zones around airports like Heathrow, Gatwick and London City need permission from the airport or air traffic control. Central London has restricted areas of its own, which need NATS permission. If permission isn’t given, we inspect by other means and tell you. Prison sites also have drone restriction zones. Common reasons to book are chimney tops in poor condition and lead work pulling away at abutments, across tall and steep roofs, large and complex roofs and valleys and parapet gutters.
Some older homes in villages like Plumpton are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Location
- Plumpton (BN7)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Plumpton: your questions answered
Is Plumpton within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Plumpton?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
How long will you be at the property?
Expect it to take between one and two hours on an ordinary house, and more on a big or complicated roof. You’ll then get the report by email, on the timescale of your package.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report, and it doesn’t include calculations. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How do I book a survey in Plumpton?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Where it’s relevant to the survey and there is safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain is typically fine; heavy rain and wind are different. Strong wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
How it works
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Around Plumpton, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start by making sure a drone flight makes sense for the roof.
- We agree a date, including weekends, subject to the weather.
- We fly over the roof, keeping the camera on the property we are surveying.
- We also look inside the roof space where it’s safe.
- The report sets out what we found, with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Find any records of previous roof work
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Book a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form when you are ready.
Related advice
Drones, thermal imaging and Plumpton roofs
Historic houses such as Anne of Cleves House, about 4 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Plumpton goes. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Steep or complicated roofs are often hard to see from ground level, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels: steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that’s where a view from above or with a thermal imager helps.
Plumpton is about 4 miles north-west of Lewes, in East Sussex. Plumpton is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Our East Sussex coverage includes Plumpton and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
We work across the BN7 postcode area for drone roof surveys. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on Plumpton Lane and Ditchling Road. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in East Chiltington (1 mile north-east), Streat (1 mile north-west), Chiltington (2 miles north-east), Plumpton Green (2 miles north) and Cooksbridge (2 miles east). Further out, we also cover Seaford (12 miles south-east), Lewes (4 miles south-east), Hailsham (14 miles east), Crowborough (14 miles north-east), Uckfield (8 miles north-east) and Newhaven (9 miles south-east).
Near you in Plumpton
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Half Moon Inn. The nearest railway station is Plumpton station, roughly 1.4 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Lewes Victoria Hospital (3.4 miles south-east) and Clayton Castle (3.7 miles west). Open spaces near Plumpton include Malling Down and Blackcap.
Checking the roof from the ground
It’s useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
More services for Plumpton
When you need someone else
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we’re surveying
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- How big the roof is
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Booking your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Tips that help
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Clear the loft hatch so we can check inside too
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Tell us about any leaks or concerns
- Be ready to move the date if the weather turns
Keep the photos with your property records. They give you something to compare against later.
After a storm, check from the garden and the street. Pieces of slate or tile on the ground mean something has moved. A drone survey can show what has shifted.
How the survey changes by roof type
Ridges and hips
Wind lifts loose ridge and hip tiles. Spotting them early stops them falling.
Large commercial roofs
Large commercial roofs cover a lot of ground. The drone covers the roof area by area, so nothing is skipped.