Hampshire · London and the South East
Viables Drone Roof Survey
Need a drone roof survey in Viables? We can help, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Tired mortar and pots at the top of a stack
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Coverings that have slipped high up on the roof
Drone roof survey in Viables
Drone surveys suit tall houses, blocks of flats, steep roofs and large commercial roofs. They also suit fragile roofs that nobody should walk on, such as old slate, clay tiles or cement sheets. The roof is photographed without being disturbed. We check the airspace for your address ahead of the visit. If a drone isn’t the right tool, we’ll say so. If you’ve noticed cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below and ridge and hip pieces working loose, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Around Viables, older homes can have thin loft insulation and later additions with roofs of their own. Thermal patterns and close-up photos together give a fuller picture of the roof. Anything that looks like moisture is checked with a meter. Calm, dry weather suits both methods, so the date is set with the forecast in mind.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Viables (RG21, RG22, RG25)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Leaks often start at outlets, edges and around plant. They’re all captured in close-up, as far as the flight allows.
Chimney stacks
The top of a stack is typically out of view. Close-up photos show the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
Drones, thermal imaging and Viables roofs
Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. Our drone weighs under 250g, and we hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID. Open category rules keep flights below 120 m (400 ft) and the drone within sight at all times.
The Vyne lies about 3.9 miles north, so building around Viables goes back a long way. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from ground level, and a survey by drone or thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof itself. Anyone responsible for a site like St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Viables is about 1 mile south-east of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. Viables gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a close look at what can be seen safely, photos and a clear written report. Viables is one of the towns and villages in Hampshire we cover for drone roof surveys. Our Reading page covers surveys nearby.
All of RG21, RG22 and RG25 is within our area for drone roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Whether your property is on Grove Road, Porter Road and Morley Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover the places around Viables: Cliddesden (1 mile south), Eastrop (1 mile north), Oakridge (1 mile north), Lychpit (2 miles north-east) and Old Basing (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Farnborough (14 miles east), Fleet (11 miles east), Aldershot (14 miles east), Alton (8 miles south-east), Yateley (13 miles north-east) and Tadley (8 miles north).
Landmarks near Viables
In Viables, that means homes and buildings near The Costello School, Queen Mary's College and Hackwood Park. The nearest railway station is Basingstoke station, roughly 1.3 miles north. Other landmarks nearby include Willis Museum (0.9 miles north) and Festival Place (1.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include The Mill Field and Farleigh Hill.
Common roof problems in Viables
After storms, owners want to know what has moved. It is hard to tell from below what has shifted. Close-up photos make it clear what has been disturbed.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Slipped or missing slates on a high roof
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
- Ridge pieces that have lifted
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for instance near Festival Place, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see from the air or with a thermal camera.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Their report turnaround times
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
What we do, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. A visit to Viables is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed in advance. Weekday and weekend visits are both possible. Tell us about any garages, outbuildings or extensions you want included.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- If permission is needed, we ask for it ahead of the visit.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- The sub-250g drone takes close-up photos of the roof, kept in sight throughout.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Check we can get to the back of the property
How to book
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us, let us know about the property and we’ll recommend the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Advice
FAQs for Viables
Is my home in Viables listed or in a conservation area?
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.
Are there drone restrictions around Viables?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Strong wind or a downpour also stops a small drone flying.
How long does the survey take?
Expect it to take about one to two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. You’ll then get the report by email, on the timescale of your package.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We’re roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it doesn’t include calculations. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we’ll recommend one.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Towns and villages near Viables
Also in Viables
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
How we price drone roof surveys
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- The size of the roof
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Tips that help
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Allow for a change of day in poor weather
- Shut pets inside while we fly
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- A word with neighbours beforehand helps
File the report and photos with your home documents. They give you something to compare against later, and they help if you sell.
Look at the roof from the ground after strong winds. Debris in the garden is a sign to act on. A drone survey can show what has shifted.