West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in Washington, West Sussex
Drone roof surveys in Washington and the rest of West Sussex. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Lead work pulling away at abutments
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Cracked flaunching or loose chimney pots
Honest limits
No survey can tell you everything, and it is better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- Neighbouring roofs the owner hasn’t asked us to survey
- The underside of the roof (that needs an inside check)
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Fragile roofs
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Chimney stacks
Drone roof survey in Washington: what you get
Tall, steep, large or fragile roofs cannot 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 can’t be seen from the street. The photos go into a written report. It is also a good option where walking on the roof could break slates or tiles. If we cannot fly, we tell you why. We’re often asked to look into moss building up on slopes and in gutters and wind damage high on the roof, across large and complex roofs, valleys and parapet gutters and flat roofs on upper floors.
Older buildings in small places like Washington may be listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Washington (RH20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Drones, thermal imaging and Washington roofs
Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. The wider area around Washington has a long history of building, with Parham House about 3.9 miles west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you look after a building like St Mary's CofE Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Washington is about 6 miles north of Worthing, in West Sussex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Washington can all book drone roof surveys. Across West Sussex, we cover Washington. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the RH20 postcode area for drone roof surveys. You will find streets such as London Road, The Street and Chanctonbury Close, and we cover them all. Close by, we survey roofs in Rock (1 mile north), Sullington (1 mile west), Heath Common (2 miles north-west), Storrington (2 miles north-west) and Warminghurst (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Horsham (12 miles north), Worthing (6 miles south), Bognor Regis (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (15 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (13 miles east) and Littlehampton (8 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Washington
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Rydon Community College, Windlesham House School and The Frankland Arms Public House, among other places. A little further out are The Storrington And District Museum (2 miles north-west). For a walk, there is Chanctonbury Hill.
Nearby places to Washington
Also in Washington
Landlords, agents and block managers in Washington
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Washington questions
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Washington?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
Is Washington within the area you cover?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
How long is the visit?
Expect it to take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, or half a day or so for a commercial building. You will then get the report by email, on the timescale of your package.
What happens after the survey?
You will get the report by email, with photos and clear recommendations. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
How do I book a survey in Washington?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
What affects the price in Washington
Prices always include VAT. What changes the price is:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Building height and the viewpoints available
All our prices include VAT. Our price is from £400, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
What we need to know
We will usually ask about:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form to find out.
When to book a survey in Washington
Big commercial and industrial roofs cover a lot of ground. The drone covers the surface area by area, showing patterns of wear that are hard to spot up close. That gives a clearer picture of the roof as a whole.
Problems we come across often include:
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Blocked valleys and parapet gutters
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
- Standing water on a flat roof
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Mary: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
How it works
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take an hour or two on an ordinary house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Older rural homes like those around Washington can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- 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.
- The drone photographs the roof closely, kept in sight throughout.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Tell us about parking before the day
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
How to book
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Read more
DIY checks: what’s safe
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.
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.