Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in St Lawrence, Isle of Wight
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in St Lawrence, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Ponding and splits on a high flat roof
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
Drone roof survey in St Lawrence
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. A drone inspection, where applicable, is also part of our Premium Survey, along with structural analysis, a same-day report and an in-person consultation. It also includes a follow-up after 12 months. If a drone won’t help on your roof, we’ll say so. You get a written report with the close-up photos from the flight. We survey large and complex roofs, tall and steep roofs and flat roofs on upper floors, and common reasons people get in touch are moss building up on slopes and in gutters and damage after a storm that can’t be seen from below.
In a small place like St Lawrence, 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. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- St Lawrence (PO38)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
A survey is a careful look at the roof, but it cannot do everything. Its limits include:
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
Tips that help
Getting the most from a drone roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Shut pets inside while we fly
- Tell next door if the drone will be near their property
- Make sure the loft can be reached
- Book early if you are near an airport
Premium also includes a 12-month follow-up. It helps you see how the roof has changed over the year, and whether work has done its job.
After a storm, check from the garden and the street. Debris in the garden is a sign to act on. A drone can show exactly what has moved.
Questions from St Lawrence
Does a conservation area affect roof work in St Lawrence?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Will you come out to St Lawrence?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Can you fly a drone near an airport?
Near airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, London City and Stansted, flight restriction zones apply. We check your address and ask for permission where it’s required. If we can’t fly, we use other safe vantage points.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How quickly is the report sent?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, let us know as you book.
How do I book a survey in St Lawrence?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and they go into the written report.
What a drone roof survey looks like in St Lawrence
St Lawrence is within about 1 mile of the coast, where wind off the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. A number of the island’s villages keep thatched roofs on older buildings, and the whole island is open to sea air and wind. Steep or complicated roofs are often hard to see from the ground, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Anyone responsible for a site like St Francis Catholic and Church of England Primary Academy will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around St Lawrence means lost rooms as well as repairs, so it is worth knowing the roof’s condition.
St Lawrence is about 4 miles south-west of Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight. Wherever you are in St Lawrence, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. St Lawrence is one of the towns and villages in the Isle of Wight where we work for drone roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Portsmouth page.
Surveys in PO38 are booked the same way as anywhere else. That includes homes and businesses on Twining Road, Whitwell Road and Woolverton Road. Other places close to St Lawrence include Steephill (1 mile east), Nettlecombe (1 mile north-west), Whitwell (1 mile north-west), Ventnor (1 mile east) and Bierley (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Newport (8 miles north), Ryde (10 miles north), Cowes (12 miles north), Sandown (6 miles north-east), Shanklin (4 miles north-east) and East Cowes (12 miles north). Harder-to-reach addresses take a little more planning, so tell us where you are when booking.
Landmarks near St Lawrence
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to St Catherine's School. The nearest railway station is Shanklin station, roughly 4.1 miles north-east. Other landmarks nearby include Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital for Children (4.1 miles north-east) and Longshoremans Museum (1.3 miles east). The countryside around St Lawrence includes Stenbury Down.
How it works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Rural addresses near St Lawrence can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First comes the address, plus a note of what worries you about the roof.
- We check the airspace and seek any permission needed.
- We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Keep pets in another room
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email when you are ready.
Related advice
Why get it checked now?
Close-up photos make conversations with roofers clearer. They show the location and extent of each defect. Older and listed buildings around St Lawrence may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
Our price is from £400, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
Why book with us
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Visits on any day of the week
- Package prices that include VAT
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
What else we do in St Lawrence
What we are asked to look at in St Lawrence
The top of a stack is the most exposed part of many roofs. Cracked flaunching, loose pots and eroded pointing are frequently invisible from below. Close-up drone photos show their condition.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
Historic houses such as Rylstone Manor, about 3.8 miles north-east, show how far back building around St Lawrence goes. Aerial photos and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
What to check before booking
- Their insurance cover
- Their report turnaround times
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Will the report include photos?
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys and parapet gutters
When a parapet outlet blocks, water can come inside. Outlets and any debris around them are photographed.
Chimney stacks
The top of a stack is normally out of view. A drone gets close to the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.