Essex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Smith's Green, Essex
A careful look at the roof at your property in Smith's Green, with photographs and a written report.
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Debris building up in hidden gutters
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Smith's Green
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. We keep it in sight throughout, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. Every flight is planned around the roof, the site and the people nearby. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. We never fly where it isn’t safe. If you’re worried about blocked valleys and parapet gutters and cracked mortar along the ridge, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on valleys and parapet gutters, large and complex roofs and flat roofs on upper floors alike.
In a village or hamlet like Smith's Green, 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 ahead of the visit, and the journey is planned in advance. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Where
- Smith's Green (CM6, CM22)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Why act early in Smith's Green
Photographing a roof from the air does not touch it. Fragile slates and tiles stay as they are, so you see the roof exactly as it is. For an older or listed building in a place like Smith's Green, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
For a price for your roof in Smith's Green, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Why book with us
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Tips from our surveys
Getting the most from a drone roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Book early if you’re near an airport
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Tell us the exact address when you book
Premium also includes a 12-month follow-up. It shows whether anything has moved or worn since the first visit.
Have high or hard-to-reach roofs surveyed every few years. Regular photos make changes easy to spot, so small faults are dealt with early.
What a drone roof survey does not cover
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Tall and steep roofs
Drone roof surveys around Smith's Green
The flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport covers Smith's Green, or comes right up to its edge. Before any flight there, we ask the airport for permission, and the flight only goes ahead if it’s given. 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.
Barrington Hall lies about 2.6 miles south-west, so building around Smith's Green goes back a long way. Close-up aerial shots and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it. If you look after a building such as Takeley Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Church of the Holy Trinity, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that’s where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Smith's Green is about 5 miles east of Bishop's Stortford, in Essex. Whether the building in Smith's Green is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Our area takes in places right across Essex, large and small. Chelmsford is in our area too.
Drone roof surveys in CM6 and CM22 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Streets in the area include Broadfield Road, The Oaks and Fleming Road, and we cover them all. If you’re just outside Smith's Green, we cover Little Canfield (1 mile east), Hope End Green (1 mile south), Takeley (1 mile west), Puttock's End (1 mile south) and Takeley Street (1 mile west). Further out, we also cover Chelmsford (13 miles south-east), Braintree (12 miles east), Harlow (10 miles south-west), Saffron Walden (11 miles north), Great Dunmow (3 miles east) and Epping (14 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Smith's Green
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Lion And Lamb Public House. The closest station to Smith's Green is Stansted Airport station, roughly 1.6 miles north-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Little Easton Moat (2.6 miles north-east) and Herts and Essex Hospital (4.4 miles west). Not far away are Portingbury Hills and Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve.
Roof by roof
Steep slate and tile slopes
Old slates and clay tiles can crack underfoot. The drone sees them without touching them, so the survey does not add damage.
Ridges and hips
Some ridges are fixed with mortar, others with dry-fix systems. Their condition is noted in the report.
Towns and villages near Smith's Green
Other services in Smith's Green
What a survey costs
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- How big the roof is
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
Every price we give includes VAT. Prices start from £400, including VAT. You’ll know the exact price before booking.
Getting in touch
There’s no need for technical words. It is enough to tell us:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- When you need the report by
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
What happens on the day
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit normally takes an hour or two at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. For a village or hamlet like Smith's Green, the journey is planned beforehand: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- First, we check whether a drone is the right tool.
- A date is fixed, with a fallback in case the weather turns.
- The roof is photographed from the air, with the camera kept on your property.
- We also look inside the roof space where it’s safe.
- Everything is written up, with the aerial photos and our advice.
Preparing for the visit
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Let us know about parking near the property
Book a survey
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £400, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Smith's Green
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Smith's Green?
Typically it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. The flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport covers Smith's Green, or comes right up to its edge. Before any flight there, we ask the airport for permission, and the flight only goes ahead if it’s given. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
Is my home in Smith's Green listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
How long will you be at the property?
It typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. The written report follows by email, on the timescale of your package.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we are looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you when booking.
How do I book a survey in Smith's Green?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what you want to find out. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
What will the report tell me?
Written findings with photographs, explaining the condition of the roof, any defects and our recommendations, with the most urgent first where relevant. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.