West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Southwick, West Sussex
Need a drone roof survey in Southwick? We can help, with a written report you can act on. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
How a drone roof survey works in Southwick
Prices start from £400, including VAT. The Premium Survey includes a drone inspection where applicable, with a same-day report, structural analysis and an in-person consultation. It also includes a follow-up after 12 months. We’ll tell you if a drone isn’t the right tool for your roof. You get a written report with the close-up photos from the flight. Common reasons to book are lead work pulling away at abutments and flat roofs on upper floors that hold water, across chimney stacks, tall and steep roofs and fragile roofs.
Older cottages and houses around Southwick may have little insulation, and some have extensions with their own roofs. A thermal image can show where heat is escaping or where moisture may be trapped, and drone photos show the roof surfaces themselves. Findings are checked with moisture readings where needed. Calm, dry weather suits both methods, so the date is set with the forecast in mind.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Southwick (BN42, BN41, BN43)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Steep slate and tile slopes
Steep slopes are hard to inspect safely on foot. From the air, every course of slates or tiles can be seen, showing slipped, cracked and missing pieces.
Large commercial roofs
Large commercial roofs cover a lot of ground. The drone covers the roof area by area, so nothing is skipped.
Towns and villages near Southwick
Other services in Southwick
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Roof area
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both including VAT. You’ll know the price for your roof before booking.
What to tell us when you get in touch
You do not need to know any roofing terms. Just let us know:
- Anything about access we should know
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- The property’s address and postcode
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Questions from Southwick
Is my home in Southwick listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Are there drone restrictions around Southwick?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Southwick is about 3 miles from Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport, so the Drone Safety Map is checked for restrictions around it before we fly. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do I need to be at home?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that in advance, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
What’s the best way to book?
Simply phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain does not usually stop a survey. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions are not right we will arrange another day with you.
What’s in the survey report?
Written findings with photos, 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.
How it works
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe vantage point, take photographs as we go and record our findings for the written report. It typically takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Southwick, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- The sub-250g drone takes close-up photos of the roof, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
Related advice
Airspace, weather and Southwick roofs
Southwick lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport is about 3 miles away, so we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before any flight.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Eastbrook Primary Academy, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. Portslade Manor lies about 0.8 miles north-east, so building around Southwick goes back a long way. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey by drone or thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself. If you run a business near Churchill Square, a commercial roof can be photographed from above without anyone walking on it.
Southwick is about 2 miles east of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Southwick and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Southwick is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for drone roof surveys.
Drone roof surveys in BN42, BN41 and BN43 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need a drone roof survey at a property on Station Road, Roman Crescent and Southwick Street or anywhere close by, we can help. You’ll find Southwick on the A259 and A270, so it is easy for us to get to. Close by, we survey roofs in Kingston by Sea (1 mile north-west), Portslade (1 mile north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (2 miles west), Hangleton (2 miles north-east) and Old Shoreham (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Worthing (7 miles west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (13 miles west), Lancing (4 miles west) and Rustington (12 miles west).
What’s near Southwick
Typical jobs here are in homes near Shoreham Academy, Benfield Hill and The Ship Inn. Southwick has its own railway station: Southwick station. Nearby you’ll also find Southlands Hospital (1 mile west) and Churchill Square (4 miles east). Not far away are Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.
Useful tips for Southwick property owners
Getting the most from a drone roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Mention anything you’ve noticed on the roof
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
- Check there is room outside for the drone to take off
- Shut pets inside while we fly
There is a follow-up after 12 months with the Premium Survey. It shows whether anything has moved or worn since the first visit, and whether work has done its job.
Have high or hard-to-reach roofs surveyed every few years. Comparing surveys shows what is wearing, so small faults are dealt with early.
What we can’t see
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
- A flight on a day when the weather is not safe
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
DIY checks: what’s safe
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.