Kent · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in West Cross
Wondering about the roof at a property in West Cross? You can book a drone roof survey in West Cross and across Kent, with plain-English findings.
- Moss and weeds taking hold up top
- Ponding and splits on a high flat roof
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
Drone roof survey in West Cross
Our drone weighs under 250g, and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator, with a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. We keep it in sight throughout, and within the 120-metre limit that applies to all drones in the open category. 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. Common reasons to book are vegetation in valleys and gutters and loose ridge and hip tiles, on valleys and parapet gutters, flat roofs on upper floors and tall and steep roofs.
Somewhere as small as West Cross, older roofs are frequently steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what cannot be reached safely. Weather and airspace are checked ahead of the visit, and the journey is planned beforehand. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, with a note and a photo for each point. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Place
- West Cross (TN17)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips that help
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. A few suggestions:
- Check there’s room outside for the drone to take off
- Tell us about any leaks or concerns
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
- Make sure the loft can be reached
We email the report to you, including the close-up photos taken by the drone. Each finding is explained in plain words, and recommendations are ranked by urgency where that helps.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly in autumn. On tall buildings, use a professional with the right access equipment. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet.
How the survey works
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: 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. The visit usually takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around West Cross frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- First, we check whether a drone is the right tool.
- A date is fixed, with a fallback in case the weather turns.
- The roof is photographed from the air, with the camera kept on your property.
- If the loft can be reached safely, it is checked too.
- The report sets out what we found, with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Arrange a survey
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Advice
Airspace, weather and West Cross roofs
Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Smallhythe Place, about 3.7 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around West Cross. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
Take an older house close to Parish Church of St Mary: older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
West Cross is about 12 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Bookings from West Cross are handled just like any other: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
Every address in TN17 is covered for drone roof surveys. We also cover Rolvenden (1 mile east), Rolvenden Layne (1 mile south-east), Strood (1 mile east), East End (2 miles north) and Parkgate (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (15 miles north), Ashford (12 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (13 miles north-west), Tenterden (3 miles east), Bearsted (15 miles north) and Park Wood (13 miles north).
Near you in West Cross
We work in homes and buildings around Bull Hotel and the streets around them. Well-known places in the area include Benenden Hospital (2.2 miles north) and Sissinghurst Castle (4.5 miles north).
Other services in West Cross
What this survey can’t tell you
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- A structural engineer’s report
- A flight on a day when the weather is not safe
- Close-up photos of next door’s property
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in West Cross
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Tall and steep roofs
- Large and complex roofs
What we are asked to look at in West Cross
Walking on some roofs does more harm than good. Old slates and clay tiles crack underfoot, and fragile sheet roofs are dangerous to walk on. A drone lets us see them closely without touching them.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Storm damage on steep or tall roofs
- Blistered or cracked flat roof coverings
- Eroded pointing on a chimney stack
- Loose ridge and hip tiles
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Rolvenden Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
What to check before booking
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Will the report include photos?
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Are they insured for the work?
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Felt often 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.
Steep slate and tile slopes
Walking on fragile coverings can break them. A drone avoids that.
FAQs for West Cross
Is drone flying allowed in West Cross?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain.
Is West Cross within the area you cover?
Yes. West Cross is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. Strong wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
How many surveys have you done?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
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.
Does the report include photos?
Yes, plenty. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, which makes the report easy to follow.
How quickly is the report sent?
Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. Mention any deadline when you book.
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The size of the roof
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
What to let us know when you get in touch
These details help when you get in touch:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- What made you get in touch
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- The type of building and roof, like pitched or flat
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.