Essex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Takeley, Essex
Drone roof surveys in Takeley, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photos.
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
Drone roof survey in Takeley
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. It stays within sight for the whole flight, and well below the 120-metre height limit. 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’re often asked to look into flashings that have come away and vegetation in valleys and gutters, across valleys and parapet gutters, flat roofs on upper floors and large and complex roofs.
In a village or hamlet like Takeley, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what can’t be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at before the visit. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Takeley (CM22)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What a drone roof survey does not cover
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Flights in high wind or heavy rain
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
What we check
- Large and complex roofs
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
Drones, thermal imaging and Takeley roofs
Takeley is inside, or right on the edge of, the flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport. We ask the airport for permission before flying there, and only fly if it is given. About 2.4 miles south lies Barrington Hall, a reminder of how long the area around Takeley has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of the Holy Trinity, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image. Anyone responsible for a site like Roseacres Primary School will know that thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Takeley is about 5 miles east of Bishop's Stortford, in Essex. Bookings from Takeley are handled just like any other: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our Essex coverage includes Takeley. You can also see our page for Chelmsford.
We survey roofs across the CM22 postcode area for drone roof surveys. We cover properties on Station Road, Dunmow Road and The Pastures. Neighbouring places we cover for drone roof surveys include Takeley Street (1 mile west), Smith's Green (1 mile east), Hope End Green (1 mile south-east), Little Canfield (1 mile east) and Puttock's End (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Chelmsford (13 miles south-east), Braintree (13 miles east), Harlow (9 miles south-west), Saffron Walden (11 miles north), Great Dunmow (4 miles east) and Epping (13 miles south-west).
Near you in Takeley
In Takeley, that means homes and buildings near The Four Ashes pub and the streets around them. Takeley’s nearest station is Stansted Airport station, roughly 1.4 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Little Easton Moat (3.2 miles north-east) and Herts and Essex Hospital (3.8 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Portingbury Hills and Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve.
How the survey changes by roof type
Steep slate and tile slopes
Old slates and clay tiles can crack underfoot. The drone sees them without touching them, so the survey doesn’t add damage.
Chimney stacks
The top of a stack is typically out of view. Close-up photos show the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings, so cracks and gaps are clear.
DIY checks: what’s safe
A lot can be seen from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Your questions about drone roof surveys in Takeley
Is drone flying allowed in Takeley?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Takeley is inside, or right on the edge of, the flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport. Before any flight there, we ask the airport for permission, and the flight only goes ahead if it is given. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Takeley?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
What will the report tell me?
Written findings with photographs, covering the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
How do I book a survey in Takeley?
To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is frequently shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
How soon will I get the report?
It depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. The report is emailed to you.
The survey, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and more on a big or complicated roof. For a village or hamlet like Takeley, the journey is planned in advance: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- We email a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Book a survey
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Advice
Also near Takeley
Also in Takeley
Prices for drone roof surveys in Takeley
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- Height and safe access
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The size of the roof
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
For a price for your roof in Takeley, call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Booking your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- What made you get in touch
- The property’s address and postcode
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
Our price is from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Takeley
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.