Hertfordshire · London and the South East
St Ibbs Drone Roof Survey
An experienced roof surveyor for drone roof surveys in St Ibbs. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
About our drone roof survey in St Ibbs
The weather decides whether a drone can fly. We do not fly in high wind or heavy rain, because control and safety come first. If the weather turns, we will agree another day. We check the forecast before the visit and again on site. Calm, dry conditions give the sharpest close-up photos. A short delay is better than a rushed flight. Typical surveys look at flashings that have come away and plant growth and moss on the roof, across valleys and parapet gutters, tall and steep roofs and large and complex roofs.
In a small place like St Ibbs, open ground can mean strong wind. High 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. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Location
- St Ibbs (SG4)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price drone roof surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- The roof’s overall size
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
Prices start from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
Helping us price your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- Anything about access we should know
- The address and postcode of the property
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
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, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
What we look for on each type of roof
Large commercial roofs
Fragile roof sheets and roof lights can be dangerous to walk on. With a drone, nobody has to go near them.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Outlets, edges and roof plant are common problem areas. We photograph them closely.
What we’re asked to look at in St Ibbs
Chimney tops take the worst of the weather. Cracked flaunching, loose pots and eroded pointing are often invisible from below. Close-up drone photos show their condition.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Chimney tops in poor condition
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
Take an older house close to Church of St Ippolyts (church of England): tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Before booking anyone
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Their insurance cover
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
Nearby places to St Ibbs
What else we do in St Ibbs
FAQs for St Ibbs
Does a conservation area affect roof work in St Ibbs?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Is St Ibbs within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
How soon will I get the report?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. All of them come by email.
Will you photograph next door’s garden?
No, the camera is kept on your roof. Neighbouring homes and gardens aren’t the subject. A quick word with the neighbours is a good idea.
Will the drone show what’s under the tiles?
No. The drone sees the roof from outside only. The roof space is checked separately, where there is safe access.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you when booking.
What if it’s windy or raining on the day?
The conditions on the day decide whether a flight goes ahead. We will not fly in strong wind or heavy rain. We’ll talk through the options if the day turns bad.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Faults on high roofs tend to be found late. By that stage the damage has spread inside. A drone survey finds them sooner. For an older or listed building in a place like St Ibbs, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why us?
- An independent view of the roof
- Every finding written up with photos
- Prices that include VAT
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
What a drone roof survey looks like in St Ibbs
In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Steep or complicated roofs are frequently hard to see from ground level, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Knebworth House, about 4.1 miles south-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around St Ibbs. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey from above or with a thermal imager doesn’t touch the roof itself. Take a building like St Ippolyts Church of England Aided Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
St Ibbs is about 2 miles south of Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. Wherever you are in St Ibbs, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. St Ibbs is one of the towns and villages in Hertfordshire where we work. Milton Keynes is in our area too.
All of SG4 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover the places around St Ibbs: Sperberry Hill (1 mile north-east), Little Almshoe (1 mile south), St Ippolyts (1 mile north-east), Gosmore (1 mile north-west) and Titmore Green (1 mile east). We also work in nearby towns such as Hemel Hempstead (15 miles south-west), Stevenage (4 miles east), St Albans (12 miles south), Welwyn Garden City (9 miles south), Harpenden (8 miles south-west) and Hatfield (11 miles south).
Around St Ibbs
Typical jobs here are in homes near Hitchin Girls' School, The Bull Public House and Kingshott School, among other places. St Ibbs’s nearest station is Hitchin station, about 1.9 miles north. Other landmarks nearby include Lister Hospital (2.1 miles east) and North Hertfordshire Museum (1.8 miles north). For a walk, there is Purwell Ninesprings and Markham's Hill.
The survey, step by step
We do not take risks to get a closer look. We inspect what can be seen safely, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The survey typically takes between one and two hours at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. In a small place like St Ibbs, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We confirm whether a drone suits your 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.
- The report sets out what we found, with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Booking a survey
For a price for drone roof surveys in St Ibbs, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.