West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in River, West Sussex
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in River. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Ponding and splits on a high flat roof
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
DIY checks: what’s safe
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we look at the roof.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Drone roof survey in River: what you get
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. It stays within sight for the whole flight, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. Each flight is planned with the site and its surroundings in mind. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. Safety comes first on every visit. We survey tall and steep roofs, chimney stacks and valleys and parapet gutters, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are flashings that have come away and slipped or missing slates on a high roof.
Villages like River often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. It’s useful right away, and a good reference for later, like when you want to compare after future work.
- Where
- River (GU28)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in River
Walking on some roofs does more harm than good. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and some sheet roofs are fragile. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Vegetation in valleys and gutters
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
Petworth House, about 2.4 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around River. A drone or thermal survey doesn’t involve any work on the roof, which suits older buildings.
Questions to ask before you book
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What insurance they carry
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Drones, thermal imaging and River roofs
We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Peter: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Anywhere in River, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. There’s also a page for Guildford.
We survey roofs across the GU28 postcode area for drone roof surveys. If you’re just outside River, we cover Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
Local landmarks in River
We work in homes and buildings around The Hollist Arms Public House, among other places. Nearby you’ll also find Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Graffham Common and Blackdown.
Landlords, agents and block managers in River
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in River. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Landlords and letting agents in River book surveys as well as homeowners. A report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof.
How it works
The visit typically starts outside and finishes in the loft: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. In total, it takes about one to two hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a hamlet or village like River, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You give us the address and tell us about the roof.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are looked at.
- We fly the sub-250g drone close to the roof and photograph each area.
- The findings, photos and recommendations reach you by email.
Before we arrive
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or email us, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
When you need someone else
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Tall and steep roofs
Questions from River
Is my home in River listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Is River within the area you cover?
Yes, River is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Does your drone take thermal images?
The drone survey is a photographic inspection. Thermal imaging is a separate check, and it’s part of the Premium Survey.
How long does the visit take?
Allow roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. We’ll give you an idea of timing when booking.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that in advance, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years, and 98% of clients are satisfied.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll explain what’s needed.
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys and parapet gutters
A butterfly roof drains to a central valley gutter. You cannot see it from the street at all, but it’s plain to see from the air.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Outlets, edges and roof plant are common problem areas. We photograph them closely.