West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in Small Dole
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach for Small Dole and the rest of West Sussex. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Wind damage high on the roof
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
Drone roof survey in Small Dole: what you get
The weather decides whether a drone can fly. We don’t fly in high wind or heavy rain, because the drone has to stay safely under control. If the weather turns, we’ll agree another day or inspect what we can by other means. We check the forecast ahead of the visit and again on site. Light wind and dry weather give the clearest close-up photos. Waiting for a better day is better than a rushed flight. Common reasons to book are damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below and chimney tops in poor condition, on valleys and parapet gutters, tall and steep roofs and flat roofs on upper floors.
In a small place like Small Dole, open ground can mean strong wind. Strong wind or heavy rain 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. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Small Dole (BN5)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026

For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work with less disruption.
Drone roof surveys in Small Dole: local notes
Small Dole is within about 5 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 can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions.
In and around Small Dole, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early. With Portslade Manor about 4.8 miles south-east, the area around Small Dole has a long history. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey by drone or thermal camera does not touch the roof itself.
Small Dole is about 5 miles north of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Small Dole can all book drone roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Across West Sussex, we cover Small Dole. Brighton is in our area too.
We survey roofs across the BN5 postcode area for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. Local streets include Downsview, Tottington Drive and Orchard Close. Other places close to Small Dole include Woodmancote (2 miles north-east), Henfield (2 miles north), Blackstone (2 miles north-east), Albourne (3 miles north-east) and High Cross (3 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Crawley (15 miles north), Horsham (11 miles north), Worthing (8 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (10 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (7 miles north-east) and Littlehampton (13 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Small Dole
In Small Dole, that means homes and buildings near Tottington Wood. The closest station to Small Dole is Shoreham-By-Sea station, roughly 4.8 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Southlands Hospital (4.4 miles south) and Steyning Museum (2.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Woods Mill and Truleigh Hill.
What a survey costs
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Roof area
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
To find out what your survey will cost, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Booking your survey
A few details help us recommend the right survey and price. When you contact us, let us know:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- When you need the report by
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Small Dole
Are there drone restrictions around Small Dole?
Usually 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, including zones around airports and prisons. Strong wind or a downpour also stops a small drone flying.
Is Small Dole within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report, so you can see each point for yourself.
What happens after the survey?
The report comes by email, and you decide the next step: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
How fast do I get the report?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
How much is a survey?
Prices start from £400, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Why get it checked now?
A drone record gives you a baseline. Comparing them with later photos shows what has changed. It is useful for planning maintenance over the years. In a small place like Small Dole, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Price depends partly on the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why book us in Small Dole
- PI and public liability insurance
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Every finding written up with photos
Read what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Nearby places to Small Dole
Other services in Small Dole
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, from ground level, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. The survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a hamlet or village like Small Dole, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start by making sure a drone flight makes sense for the roof.
- A date is fixed, with a fallback in case the weather turns.
- We fly over the roof, keeping the camera on the property we are surveying.
- If the loft can be reached safely, it’s checked too.
- Everything is written up, with the aerial photos and our advice.
Getting ready for the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Find any records of previous roof work
How to book
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from the ground or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Advice
What this survey cannot tell you
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors