Portsmouth · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Southsea, Portsmouth
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Southsea. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Flashings that have come away
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
Landlord and commercial surveys in Southsea
Landlords and letting agents in Southsea book surveys as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the roof.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
Drone roof survey in Southsea
Drone surveys suit tall houses, blocks of flats, steep roofs and large commercial roofs. They’re useful where walking on the roof could damage it or isn’t safe, such as old slate, clay tiles or cement sheets. The roof is photographed without being disturbed. We check the airspace for your address before the visit. If a drone is not the right tool, we’ll say so. We survey fragile roofs, tall and steep roofs and large and complex roofs, and the problems we are asked to look at most are ponding and splits on a high flat roof and moss and weeds taking hold up top.
Before any drone flight in a town like Southsea, the airspace is checked on the Drone Safety Map, which shows restriction zones around airports and prisons. Our drone weighs under 250g, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Neighbours’ privacy is part of planning every flight. In the open category, flights stay under 120 m (400 ft) with the drone in sight.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Place
- Southsea (PO5, PO4, PO1)
- Region
- Portsmouth
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes about one to two hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. In Southsea, many roofs join a neighbour’s, so shared parts are looked at as far as they can be seen from your property. It helps to know about previous repairs, leaks or recent work.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- If permission is needed, we ask for it ahead of the visit.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- The drone captures close-up photos of the coverings, chimneys, valleys and gutters.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
Booking a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
Do you need a drone roof survey in Southsea?
From the pavement, most of a tall roof is out of sight. Rear slopes, valleys and the tops of chimneys are hidden. Problems in those places often go unseen until they leak, which is why owners turn to a drone.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
The streets around a church such as St Margaret of Scotland 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 frequently shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Before booking anyone
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Their insurance cover
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- How long the report takes to arrive
Southsea questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Southsea?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is drone flying allowed in Southsea?
Typically it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We note visible signs like sagging or deflection, but we don’t carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
Is Southsea in your area?
Yes, we do. Southsea is part of the area we cover, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. The written report follows by email.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Safety comes first, and fragile or steep roofs can’t always be walked on. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where it applies, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
DIY checks: what’s safe
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking and it will help the survey.
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Flat roofs on tall buildings are often seen by nobody. A drone shows ponding, splits, blisters and worn upstands.
Large commercial roofs
Fragile roof sheets and roof lights can be dangerous to walk on. A drone keeps everyone off them.
Drone roof surveys in Southsea: local notes
Southsea is within about 1 mile of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. If your home is older, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area.
A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around Southsea means lost rooms as well as repairs, so it is worth knowing the roof’s condition. If you run a business near The Bridge Shopping Centre, thermal images can show trapped moisture across a wide commercial roof.
Southsea is about 2 miles south of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. We provide drone roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Southsea. Our area takes in places right across Portsmouth.
Here we cover the PO5, PO4 and PO1 postcode area for drone roof surveys. You’ll find streets like Bath Road, Liss Road and Beach Road, all of which we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Milton (1 mile north-east), Fratton (1 mile north), Kingston (1 mile north), Landport (1 mile north-west) and Baffins (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Hilsea (3 miles north), Wymering (4 miles north), Paulsgrove (5 miles north), Cosham (4 miles north), Drayton (4 miles north) and Farlington (5 miles north).
What’s near Southsea
Around Southsea, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Festing pub, St Edmund's Catholic School and Mayville High School. The nearest railway station is Fratton station, roughly 0.8 miles north. A little further out are St. Mary's Hospital (1 mile north) and Southsea Castle (1 mile south-west). Not far away are Milton Locks.
What affects the price in Southsea
Not every roof costs the same to survey, and it comes down to:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Basic, Standard or Premium
Price depends partly on the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
What we need to know
When you call or email, these details help:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What kind of property and roof it is
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.