West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in West Ashling
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out drone roof surveys in West Ashling and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Flashings that have come away
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
What we look for on each type of roof
Ridges and hips
Ridges may be bedded in mortar or mechanically fixed. We record what we see of their condition.
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber around 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We record the signs of age we can see.
About our drone roof survey in West Ashling
Drone roof surveys are available in West Ashling and throughout London and the South East, where the airspace and the weather allow. Flights take place on weekdays and at weekends. Every address is checked for airspace restrictions first. The report includes the drone photos and our recommendations. To ask whether a drone survey suits your roof, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Common reasons to book are outlets choked with leaves and silt and coverings that have slipped high up on the roof, on flat roofs on upper floors, tall and steep roofs and chimney stacks.
Older buildings in small places like West Ashling may be 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.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Where
- West Ashling (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Can I check my roof myself?
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Nearby places to West Ashling
Also in West Ashling
Drones, thermal imaging and West Ashling roofs
West Ashling lies within about 4 miles of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. The weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead, as a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain. The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. In the open category, flights stay below 120 m (400 ft) and within sight.
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Mary, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement. Take a building like Funtington Primary School: big roofs are where photos from the air and thermal images show the most at once.
West Ashling is about 3 miles north-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. We visit West Ashling as part of our work across West Sussex. Our West Sussex coverage includes West Ashling and the places around it. There’s also a page for Portsmouth.
We cover every part of PO18 for drone roof surveys and the streets around it. We offer drone roof surveys to properties on Heather Close, Ashling Close and Portal Close and the roads around them. We also cover the places around West Ashling: East Ashling (1 mile east), Funtington (1 mile north-west), Broadbridge (1 mile south), Hambrook (1 mile west) and West Stoke (1 mile north-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (9 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles south-east), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (4 miles west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Local landmarks in West Ashling
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Horse And Groom Public House. The closest station to West Ashling is Bosham station, roughly 1.2 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Chichester Centre (3.6 miles east) and Chichester Castle (3.5 miles south-east). Open spaces near West Ashling include Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Stoke Down.
What we are asked to look at in West Ashling
Hidden gutters and valleys are easy to overlook. Debris collects where nobody looks, until water overflows inside. A drone shows them clearly from above.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
- Worn lead at chimneys and walls
- Ridge and hip pieces working loose
Historic houses like West Dean House, about 4.6 miles north-east, show how far back building around West Ashling goes. Older roofs nearby can be steep and hard to see from the ground, and a survey from above or with a thermal imager doesn’t touch the roof itself.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- What insurance they carry
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
For landlords and managing agents
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Tell us about it when booking and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed ahead of time. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
What we do, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and record our findings for the written report. It usually takes about one to two hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Older rural homes like those around West Ashling 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.
- Airspace restrictions are checked and permission sought where needed.
- Before take-off, the wind, the weather and the launch spot are checked.
- Close-up photos are taken of each slope, chimney, valley and gutter, with the drone always in view.
- We email the report with close-up photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
Getting a price
Prices start from £400, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or email us with the details.
Related advice
Tips that help
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Shut pets inside while we fly
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Give us the full address so we can check the airspace
- Allow time for permission if you are in a flight restriction zone
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the location and extent of every problem.
Keep the roof space ventilated. Condensation in the loft can damage timbers and insulation. Make sure insulation does not block the airflow.
West Ashling: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like West Ashling?
Yes, West Ashling is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Are there drone restrictions around West Ashling?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions. Strong wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. The report includes photographs of what we found.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you as you book.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, so it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging.