Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Ratley Drone Roof Survey
A careful look at the roof at your property in Ratley, and put it all in a photo-illustrated written report.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Ratley
Tall, steep, large or fragile roofs can’t always be inspected up close. A drone takes close-up photos of those roofs from the air. It shows coverings, ridges, chimneys, valleys and gutters clearly, including slopes that can’t be seen from the street. Everything we find goes into a written report with photos. It is also a good option where walking on the roof could break slates or tiles. If we cannot fly, we tell you why. We survey flat roofs on upper floors, valleys and parapet gutters and fragile roofs, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are moss building up on slopes and in gutters and worn lead at chimneys and walls.
In a village or hamlet like Ratley, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you cannot get from the ground. Weather and airspace are checked ahead of the visit, and the journey is planned ahead of time. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
It isn’t only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Location
- Ratley (OX15)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Check there’s room outside for the drone to take off
- Tell next door if the drone will be near their property
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
File the report and photos with your home documents. 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.
What we can’t see
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- Flights in strong wind or heavy rain
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Ratley
- Fragile roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
What happens on the day
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. In a hamlet or village like Ratley, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- We arrange any permission that is needed before we fly.
- Before the flight, we check the conditions and the take-off spot.
- The drone captures close-up photos of the coverings, chimneys, valleys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
How to book
We survey roofs on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Read more
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Leaks frequently start at outlets, edges and around plant. We photograph them closely.
Large commercial roofs
Many commercial roofs have fragile sheets or roof lights. A drone keeps everyone off them.
Towns and villages near Ratley
Also in Ratley
Why act early in Ratley
Small defects on a high roof grow with each storm. Finding them now means less to put right. Around Ratley, older homes frequently have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why book us in Ratley
- Prices that include VAT
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Weekday and weekend surveys
What you can safely check yourself
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Airspace, weather and Ratley roofs
With Upton House about 1.3 miles south-west, Ratley sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs. Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Ratley is about 6 miles north-west of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. We carry out drone roof surveys in Ratley for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Our Oxfordshire coverage includes Ratley. Oxford is in our area too.
Here we cover the OX15 postcode area for drone roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on High Street, Townhill and Chapel Lane. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Edgehill (1 mile west), Sun Rising (2 miles south-west) and Hornton (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Banbury (6 miles south-east), Chipping Norton (13 miles south), Neithrop (6 miles south-east), Grimsbury (7 miles south-east), Ruscote (6 miles south-east) and Bloxham (8 miles south).
What’s near Ratley
In Ratley, that means homes and buildings near The Rose And Crown Public House and the streets around them. Other landmarks nearby include W. O. Bentley Memorial Foundation (3.3 miles south-east) and King John's Castle (3.9 miles north-west). For a walk, there’s Edge Hill.
FAQs for Ratley
Do you cover smaller places like Ratley?
Yes. Ratley is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ratley?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is your drone operator registered?
Yes. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. We fly a sub-250g drone and keep it in sight at all times.
How experienced are you?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access; we’ll agree the details when you book.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £400, including VAT. You will know the exact price before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.