Kent · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Ulcombe, Kent
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out drone roof surveys in Ulcombe and across Kent.
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Wind damage high on the roof
How a drone roof survey works in Ulcombe
Tall, steep, large or fragile roofs can’t always be inspected up close. Our drone roof survey gets a camera close to them without anyone climbing. 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’s also a good option where walking on the roof could break slates or tiles. If we can’t fly, we tell you why. We survey chimney stacks, large and complex roofs and tall and steep roofs, and people most frequently book us about flashings that have come away and cracked flaunching or loose chimney pots.
Some older homes in villages like Ulcombe are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it is a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof, before anyone decides what work it needs. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photos show what each point refers to.
- Place
- Ulcombe (ME17)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Leave it or get it looked at?
Planning roof work without seeing the roof is a gamble. You get photos of every part we can see. That helps you put the work in order. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Ulcombe
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Visits on any day of the week
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
Before and after the survey
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Share the postcode so we can check for restrictions
- Keep pets indoors during the flight
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Let us know what you want to see
You get an in-person consultation with the Premium Survey to go through what the drone showed. You can ask about anything that isn’t clear.
Plan a drone survey every few years for tall or large roofs. Comparing surveys shows what is wearing, and early repairs keep water out.
Checking the roof from ground level
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
What a drone roof survey doesn’t cover
It’s useful to know what a survey will not do before you book:
- Flights in high wind or heavy rain
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we’re surveying
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney stacks
- Fragile roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Tall and steep roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
How we price drone roof surveys
To price your survey, we look at:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The roof’s overall size
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
Prices start from £150, inc. VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both including VAT. We confirm the exact price before you book.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
More services for Ulcombe
Flying and imaging in Ulcombe
Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. We fly a sub-250g drone and are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
Take a building like Ulcombe Church of England Primary School: a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit. Leeds Castle, about 2.5 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Ulcombe. For older roofs nearby, a look from above or with a thermal imager is a hands-off way to check condition. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near All Saints Church, thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Ulcombe is about 6 miles south-east of Maidstone, in Kent. Anywhere in Ulcombe, we can carry out drone roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
We survey roofs across the ME17 postcode area for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on The Street and Chapmans Place and the roads around them. Nearby, we also carry out drone roof surveys in Fairbourne Heath (1 mile north-east), Eastwood (1 mile south-east), Kingswood (1 mile north-west), Chartway Street (1 mile north-west) and Broadstone (1 mile south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Maidstone (6 miles north-west), Ashford (11 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (10 miles north-east), Faversham (13 miles north-east), Kings Hill (11 miles west) and Davington (13 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Ulcombe
Around Ulcombe, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Harrow Public House and the streets around them. Ulcombe’s nearest station is Harrietsham station, about 2.5 miles north-east. A little further out are Sutton Valence Castle (2 miles west) and The Dog Collar Museum (2.3 miles north).
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there’s safe access. In total, it takes between one and two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Older roofs in small places like Ulcombe can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it’s safe.
- We start with the address and what you’d like checked.
- Any flight restriction at the address is checked, with permission requested if required.
- We assess the conditions and the take-off spot first.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- You receive a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Getting a price
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
Common questions in Ulcombe
How do I find out if my home in Ulcombe is listed?
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.
Is drone flying allowed in Ulcombe?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
How long will you be at the property?
It typically takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. The report follows by email.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing are not part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, finishing with recommendations. The most urgent items are made clear.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and they go into the written report.
How much is a survey?
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, including VAT.