Southampton · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Shirley, Southampton
Independent drone roof surveys in Shirley. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Flashings that have come away
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
When you need someone else
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- A flight on a day when the weather is not safe
- A structural engineer’s report
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Drone roof survey in Shirley
A drone can see more than your roof, so we take care. The camera stays on your roof, not on gardens or windows next door. If your roof is joined to a neighbour’s, it is worth letting them know about the visit. We inspect only what the owner has asked us to. Flights are kept as short as the job allows and focused on the roof in question. If you’ve noticed moss and weeds taking hold up top and lifted or split lead flashings, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Places like Shirley can be near small airfields or other airspace restrictions, so every drone flight starts with a check of the Drone Safety Map. Open ground can mean stronger wind, which also affects whether a small drone can fly. Neighbours’ privacy is part of planning each flight, along with the airspace and the weather.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Location
- Shirley (SO15, SO16, SO17)
- Region
- Southampton
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near Shirley
What else we do in Shirley
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: 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.
Shirley: your questions answered
Is drone flying allowed in Shirley?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Shirley is about 1 mile from the edge of the flight restriction zone around Southampton Airport. The exact boundary is checked for each address before any flight, and a roof inside it needs permission before we fly. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
How do I find out if my home in Shirley 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. 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.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
How long does the survey take?
It usually takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. The report follows by email.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In strong wind or heavy rain, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we will recommend one.
Do you look in the roof space?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging.
For landlords and managing agents
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time.
What we look for on each type of roof
Valleys and parapet gutters
When a parapet outlet blocks, water can come inside. We check outlets and photograph any build-up.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Flat roofs on tall buildings are frequently seen by nobody. A drone shows ponding, splits, blisters and worn upstands.
What happens on the day
The visit has one job: to see as much of the roof as can safely be seen and record it clearly. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit usually takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Parking around Shirley is typically easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- We start with the address and what you’d like checked.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- On the day, we check the wind, weather and site before flying.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Getting a price
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
Airspace, weather and Shirley roofs
Shirley is within about 1 mile of the coast, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Shirley is about 1 mile from the edge of the flight restriction zone around Southampton Airport. The exact boundary is checked for each address before any flight, and a roof inside it needs permission before we fly.
A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around Shirley means lost rooms as well as repairs, so it is worth knowing the roof’s condition. If you look after a building such as Wordsworth Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. For businesses in and around places such as Marlands Shopping Centre, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see from above or with a thermal imager.
Shirley is about 2 miles west of Southampton, in Southampton. In Shirley, as across Southampton, every roof gets the same careful survey. Across Southampton, we cover Shirley and the places around it.
We survey roofs across SO15, SO16 and SO17 for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. Whether your property is on May Road, Dyer Road and York Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Main roads around Shirley include the A3057, so getting to you is simple. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Regents Park (1 mile west), Freemantle (1 mile south), Millbrook (1 mile south-west), Coxford (1 mile north-west) and Maybush (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Townhill Park (3 miles east), Midanbury (3 miles east), Thornhill (4 miles east), Chartwell Green (4 miles east), Harefield (4 miles east) and Itchen (3 miles south-east). Shirley is one of the larger places we cover in Southampton.
Local landmarks in Shirley
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Crown Public House, St James' Park and Regents Park Community College. The closest station to Shirley is Millbrook (Hants) station, roughly 0.7 miles south. A little further out are Netley Castle (4.4 miles south-east) and Foresters Museum & Archive (1 mile south-east). For a walk, there’s Testwood Lakes.
Why get it checked now?
Close-up photos make conversations with roofers clearer. You can show exactly where the problem is. Around Shirley, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls. It’s easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why us?
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- 5,000+ surveys completed
Read how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.