East Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Rodmell, East Sussex
Drone roof surveys in Rodmell from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes between one and two hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Rodmell often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets in another room
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Booking a survey
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email, let us know about the property and we will point you to the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
About our drone roof survey in Rodmell
Drones need reasonable weather. High wind or heavy rain rules out a flight, because control and safety come first. If the day turns out unsuitable, we’ll talk about another date. The forecast is checked ahead of the visit and again on the day. Calm, dry conditions give the sharpest close-up photos. Waiting for a better day is better than a rushed flight. Common reasons to book are flashings that have come away and gaps where slates or tiles have gone, across chimney stacks, flat roofs on upper floors and large and complex roofs.
In a village or hamlet like Rodmell, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what cannot be reached safely. Weather and airspace are checked before the visit, and the journey is planned ahead of time. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Where
- Rodmell (BN7)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Photographing a roof from the air doesn’t touch it. Nothing is cracked or dislodged by footsteps, so the survey does not create new problems. For older village homes like those around Rodmell, the right replacement materials aren’t always easy to find quickly. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
What you get with us
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Packages from £150, including VAT
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Plain-English reports with photos
Roof by roof
Valleys and parapet gutters
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a valley in the middle. It is almost impossible to see from ground level, but it is plain to see from the air.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Leaks frequently start at outlets, edges and around plant. We photograph them closely, as far as the flight allows.
Common roof problems in Rodmell
Chimney tops take the worst of the weather. Cracked flaunching, loose pots and eroded pointing are frequently invisible from below. A drone gets close enough to see them in detail.
Most people get in touch after spotting one of these:
- Wind damage high on the roof
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
Monk's House, about 0.4 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Rodmell. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey from the air or with a thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- When you’ll get the report
Also near Rodmell
What else we do in Rodmell
Practical tips
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Clear the loft hatch so we can check inside too
If you need work done, roofers can work from the photos. They’ll see exactly where each defect is.
After a storm, check from the garden and the street. Debris in the garden is a sign to act on. A drone can show exactly what has moved.
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photographs.
Questions from Rodmell
Is drone flying allowed in Rodmell?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
How do I find out if my home in Rodmell is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s 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.
What do I do with the report?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
Do you cover Rodmell for drone roof surveys?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and that includes Rodmell.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only if it is safe. We check everything that can safely be seen: from the ground, from windows, from inside the roof space, from the roof where it’s safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we can’t see is noted in the report.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, tell us when you book.
Drone roof surveys in Rodmell: local notes
Rodmell lies within about 4 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 cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. A drone or thermal camera adds most on the steep, tall and hidden parts of roofs like these.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Priory School, a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit. If you live in an older home near St Peter's Church, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Rodmell is about 3 miles south of Lewes, in East Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Rodmell, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Our area takes in places right across East Sussex, large and small. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
We cover every part of BN7 for drone roof surveys. Whether your property is on Mill Lane, Badgers Dene and The Paddocks or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Rodmell include Northease (1 mile north-west), Iford (1 mile north-west), Piddinghoe (2 miles south-east), Kingston near Lewes (2 miles north-west) and Telscombe (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (12 miles east), Seaford (6 miles south-east), Lewes (3 miles north), Hailsham (11 miles east), Uckfield (10 miles north-east) and Newhaven (3 miles south-east).
Around Rodmell
In Rodmell, that means homes and buildings near Lewes and Laughton Levels. The closest station to Rodmell is Southease station, roughly 0.9 miles east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Planet Earth Museum (2.8 miles south-east) and Lewes Castle (2.7 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Southerham Farm and Itford Hill.