Greater London · London and the South East
Southwark Drone Roof Survey
Drone roof surveys around Southwark, with a written report you can act on. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Flashings that have come away
Common questions in Southwark
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Southwark?
The answer turns on the exact location and the conditions on the day. Southwark is about 2 miles from the edge of the flight restriction zone around London Heliport in Battersea. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. The restricted area over the City of London, where drone flights need permission from NATS, is about 2 miles from Southwark. If a roof falls inside it, we apply for permission before flying, and the flight only goes ahead if it’s granted. Across London there are restriction zones around Heathrow, London City and London Heliport, plus restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Each address is checked against all of them before the drone goes up. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
How do I find out if my home in Southwark is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we’ll recommend one.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Are you insured?
We are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package.
Drone roof survey in Southwark
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we are a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. It stays within sight for the whole flight, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. Each flight is planned with the site and its surroundings in mind. Before every flight, we check the airspace and the weather. Safety comes first on every visit. We survey valleys and parapet gutters, large and complex roofs and chimney stacks, and people most frequently book us about ponding and splits on a high flat roof and storm damage on steep or tall roofs.
In London’s terraces and conversions, roofs are packed close together, so privacy and neighbours matter as much as the view. We take care to focus on the roof we have been asked to look at. Tell us about the building and access when booking. The extra view helps most on steep slopes, tall stacks and rear additions.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for instance when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Where
- Southwark (SE1, SE11)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the roof space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit normally takes between one and two hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Surveys in Southwark can be booked for any day of the week. London parking is frequently by permit or pay-and-display, so it’s useful to know what’s near you, and to clear a path to the loft hatch. A back bedroom window can be the best vantage point for a rear addition, so we may ask to use one.
- You give us the address so we can check the airspace.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- Your report arrives by email, with close-up photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Booking a survey
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know where you stand. Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Tips from our surveys
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Let us know what you want to see
- Allow time for permission if you’re in a flight restriction zone
- Shut pets inside while we fly
We email the report to you, including the close-up photos taken by the drone. Each finding is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
Every so often, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. A drone sees the outside, but the loft shows leaks and condensation from below. Photograph anything new.
Prices for drone roof surveys in Southwark
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Roof area
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and a few details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- The property’s address and postcode
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Do you need a drone roof survey in Southwark?
Strong winds can lift slates, tiles and ridge pieces. Damage on a high or steep roof is hard to judge from the garden. A drone shows what has slipped, lifted or gone.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
For a London address like Southwark, it helps to know about controlled parking before the day.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- What exactly goes into their report
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- When you will get the report
Surveys for landlords and agents in Southwark
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Also near Southwark
Other services in Southwark
How the survey changes by roof type
Large commercial roofs
Fragile roof sheets and roof lights can be dangerous to walk on. A drone keeps everyone off them.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Steep slopes are hard to inspect safely on foot. A drone photographs them closely from a safe position.
Flying and imaging in Southwark
The restricted area over the City of London, where drone flights need permission from NATS, is about 2 miles from Southwark. If a roof falls inside it, we apply for permission before flying, and the flight only goes ahead if it is granted. The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
If you look after a building such as Charles Dickens Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. If you run a business near Gabriel's Wharf, big, flat commercial roofs are where photos from the air and thermal images help most.
Southwark is about 0 miles north-west of London, in Greater London. Southwark is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages.
Drone roof surveys in SE1 and SE11 are booked the same way as anywhere else. You will find streets such as Borough Square, Trinity Church Square and Merrick Square. Southwark sits on or near the A300 and B240, so getting to you is simple. We also cover the places around Southwark: Tower Hill (1 mile north-east), City of London (1 mile north), Aldgate (1 mile north-east), Bishopsgate (1 mile north-east) and Barbican Estate (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include City of Westminster (3 miles west), Kensington (5 miles west), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hampstead (5 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west) and Brompton (3 miles west).
Near you in Southwark
In Southwark, that means homes and buildings near London School of Musical Theatre, Little Dorrit's Playground and St Mary-at-Hill. Nearby too are Ark Globe Academy (within half a mile south-east), The BFI Reuben Library (0.9 miles north-west) and The Gladstone Arms (less than half a mile north-east). Southwark’s nearest station is Elephant & Castle station, roughly 0.5 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Gabriel's Wharf (0.7 miles north-west) and Baynard's Castle (0.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Ludgate Hill and Bellenden Road Nature Garden.