Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Ripple
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for Ripple and the rest of Kent. We survey on any day of the week.
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
How a drone roof survey works in Ripple
Prices start from £400, including VAT. A drone inspection, where it applies, is also part of our Premium Survey, along with structural analysis, a same-day report and an in-person consultation. There’s a 12-month follow-up as well. If a drone will not help on your roof, we’ll say so. You get a written report with the close-up photos from the flight. If you’re worried about chimney tops in poor condition and damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Some older homes in villages like Ripple are listed or in a conservation area. A look by drone or thermal camera does not touch 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.
Where we cannot see part of the roof, the report says so. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Ripple (CT14)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Ripple
Steep and tall roofs are hard to inspect safely. Three-storey houses, blocks of flats and tall commercial buildings are common examples. A drone gets close-up views from a safe position on the ground.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Standing water on a flat roof
If you look after a building such as St Mary's Catholic Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
What to check before booking
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- What the survey won’t cover
Drones, thermal imaging and Ripple roofs
Ripple is within about 3 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. With Walmer Castle about 1.9 miles east, Ripple sits in an area with a long building history. On older houses around here, roofs frequently 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.
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary the Virgin: tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Ripple is about 2 miles south-west of Deal, in Kent. Ripple is one of many places we visit across Kent. Ripple is one of the places in Kent where we work. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
Every address in CT14 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on Mongeham Road, Sunnyside Close and Sutton Lane. Other places close to Ripple include Great Mongeham (1 mile north), Mill Hill (1 mile north-east), Northbourne (2 miles north-west), Sholden Meadows (2 miles north) and Sholden (2 miles north-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Canterbury (13 miles north-west), Margate (12 miles north), Dover (5 miles south-west), Folkestone (12 miles south-west), Ramsgate (10 miles north) and Broadstairs (12 miles north).
Around Ripple
In Ripple, that means homes and buildings near Goodwin Academy and the streets around them. Ripple’s nearest station is Walmer station, roughly 1.1 miles east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (5.5 miles south-west) and Kent Museum of the Moving Image (2.4 miles north-east).
FAQs for Ripple
Are there drone restrictions around Ripple?
Typically it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ripple?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Will you check the loft?
Typically, if there’s one and it can be reached safely. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
Do I need to be at home?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Places near Ripple
Also in Ripple
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ripple
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters, which helps with budgets and planning.
Landlords and letting agents in Ripple book surveys as well as homeowners. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the roof.
When you need someone else
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
What affects the price in Ripple
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. The main factors are:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Height and safe access
- House, block, shop or office
- The shape of the roof and its details
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can safely be seen and which survey you book.
Getting in touch
A few details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, it is useful to mention:
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The kind of building and roof involved
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
When you’re ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Different roofs, different checks
Steep slate and tile slopes
Walking on fragile coverings can break them. The drone sees them without touching them.
Ridges and hips
Wind lifts loose ridge and hip tiles. Spotting them early stops them falling.
What happens on the day
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take an hour or two for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Around Ripple, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- We confirm whether a drone suits your roof.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday, weather permitting.
- 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.
- You get photos, findings and clear recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Check pets are kept safely away
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Book a survey
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.