West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Shermanbury
An experienced roof surveyor for drone roof surveys in Shermanbury. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and South East England.
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Chimney tops in poor condition
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Shermanbury
From the air, the outer surfaces are clear, but it can’t see under the coverings or into the loft. We check the loft from inside where it’s safe, since that’s where leaks and condensation often show first. Inside and out together tell you far more. Your report shows the drone photos alongside what we saw in the loft. Where the loft cannot be reached safely, we note it. We survey tall and steep roofs, fragile roofs and large and complex roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are coverings that have slipped high up on the roof and worn lead at chimneys and walls.
Villages like Shermanbury frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Place
- Shermanbury (RH13)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Drones, thermal imaging and Shermanbury roofs
Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Steep or complicated roofs are frequently hard to see from ground level, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Giles are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Shermanbury is about 7 miles west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Shermanbury, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Shermanbury is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover for drone roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Here we cover the RH13 postcode area for drone roof surveys. You’ll find streets like Knapp Drive, Brighton Road and Partridge Green Road, all of which we cover. We also cover Kent Street (2 miles north-east), Cowfold (2 miles north), Wineham (2 miles east), Henfield (2 miles south) and Blackstone (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (11 miles north), Horsham (7 miles north), Worthing (11 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (9 miles east), Burgess Hill (7 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).
Near you in Shermanbury
In Shermanbury, that means homes and buildings near The Bull Inn, among other places. A little further out are The Dene Hospital (5.2 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Knepp Wildland.
Checking the roof from the ground
A lot can be seen from the ground. 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.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Tips from our surveys
Getting the most from a drone roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
- Make sure the loft can be reached
- Keep dogs indoors during the visit
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. They’ll see exactly where each defect is, so their quotes cover the same ground.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have fallen. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Blocked hidden gutters cause many leaks.
How it works
A survey visit follows a simple order: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In a hamlet or village like Shermanbury, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- We arrange any permission that is 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.
- We email a written report with the photographs and our recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Booking a survey
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Advice
Questions from Shermanbury
Are there drone restrictions around Shermanbury?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first, including zones around airports and prisons. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Shermanbury?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
What if it rains on the day?
A survey can normally go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it is safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest.
How much does a drone roof survey cost in Shermanbury?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
Places near Shermanbury
What else we do in Shermanbury
For landlords and managing agents
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the addresses.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer.
Roof by roof
Valleys and parapet gutters
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a valley in the middle. You can’t see it from the street at all, but a drone shows it clearly.
Ridges and hips
Ridges may be bedded in mortar or mechanically fixed. We record what we see of their condition.
When to book a survey in Shermanbury
Height and steep pitches make close inspection risky. 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.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Jolesfield CofE Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
What to check before booking
- What follow-up you get after the report
- What insurance they carry
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?