Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Swerford, Oxfordshire
Close-up drone photographs of roofs that are hard to reach in Swerford, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Get in touch for a price.
- Cracked flaunching or loose chimney pots
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Flashings that have come away
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in Swerford
Tall, steep, large or fragile roofs cannot always be inspected up close. A drone takes close-up photographs of those roofs from the air. It shows coverings, ridges, chimneys, valleys and gutters clearly, including slopes that cannot be seen from the street. The photos go into a written report. It also suits roofs that would be damaged by someone walking on them. Where a flight isn’t possible, we explain why. Typical surveys look at plant growth and moss on the roof and tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack, on fragile roofs, flat roofs on upper floors and large and complex roofs.
Older buildings in small places like Swerford may be listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
The report doesn’t just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Place
- Swerford (OX7)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Somewhere as small as Swerford, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- We arrange any permission that is needed before we fly.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- The sub-250g drone takes close-up photographs of the roof, kept in sight throughout.
- Your report arrives by email, with close-up photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
Arrange a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Advice
Common questions in Swerford
Is my home in Swerford listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Is drone flying allowed in Swerford?
Normally it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose, and it’s agreed before booking.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it’s safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where it applies let us see the rest.
How long will you be at the property?
Expect it to take roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. You will then get the report by email, on the timescale of your package.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime. Just say which days work for you.
More services for Swerford
What happens if roof problems are left?
Close-up photos make conversations with roofers clearer. They show the location and extent of each defect, which helps when you ask for quotes. In a place like Swerford, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. It’s worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Prices start from £150, inc. VAT, for a Basic Survey. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. You’ll know the price for your survey before booking.
Why book with us
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Honest limits
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Flying in a flight restriction zone without the airport’s permission
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
What a drone roof survey looks like in Swerford
We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Older coverings on steep or tall roofs are hard to judge from below, so close-up close-up aerial shots and thermal images help.
The streets around a church like Church of St Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that’s where a view by drone or thermal camera helps.
Swerford is about 7 miles south-west of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. We survey roofs in Swerford and the rest of Oxfordshire, as part of our work across London and South East England. Our Oxfordshire coverage includes Swerford. Our Oxford page covers surveys nearby.
All of OX7 is covered for drone roof surveys. Local streets include Chapel Hill and St Mary's Lane, all of which we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Wigginton (1 mile north-east), Little Tew (2 miles south), Great Tew (2 miles south-east), Hook Norton (2 miles north-west) and South Newington (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Banbury (7 miles north-east), Bicester (14 miles south-east), Witney (13 miles south), Kidlington (13 miles south-east), Bure Park (13 miles east) and Chipping Norton (5 miles south-west).
Around Swerford
Around Swerford, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Boxing Hare pub and the streets around them. Other landmarks nearby include Old Forge Museum (Great Tew) (1.6 miles south-east). Not far away are Woodford Bottom and Lamb's Pool.
What we look for on each type of roof
Steep slate and tile slopes
Steep roofs are risky to walk on. A drone photographs them closely from a safe position.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Leaks frequently start at outlets, edges and around plant. We photograph them closely.
Tips that help
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Let neighbours know about the flight if your roof is shared
- Check the loft can be reached
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Shut pets inside while we fly
File the report and photos with your home documents. They give you something to compare against later, and they help if you sell.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Condensation in the loft can damage timbers and insulation, and it is something only an inside check will show. Make sure insulation does not block the airflow.
What we’re asked to look at in Swerford
The top of a stack is the most exposed part of many roofs. From ground level, you rarely see cracked flaunching or loose pots. Close-up drone photos show their condition.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
Whatever the street in Swerford, a roof costs least to look after when faults are caught early.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What experience they bring
- Is VAT included in the price?