West Sussex · London and the South East
Drone Roof Survey in West Dean
Drone roof surveys in West Dean and the rest of West Sussex. Surveys run on any day of the week.
- Flat roofs on upper floors that hold water
- Moss building up on slopes and in gutters
- Cracked slates and tiles out of sight from below
FAQs for West Dean
Can you fly a drone over a roof in West Dean?
Typically it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in West Dean?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only where it is safe to do so. We check everything that can safely be seen: from the ground, from windows, from inside the loft space, from the roof where it is safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we cannot see is noted in the report.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £400, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, including VAT.
About our drone roof survey in West Dean
From the air, the outer surfaces are clear, but it can’t see under the coverings or into the loft. Where there’s safe access, we look in the roof space too, because the underside tells its own story. Inside and out together tell you far more. The report sets out what the drone showed and what we found inside. Where the loft can’t be reached safely, we note it. We survey large and complex roofs, tall and steep roofs and flat roofs on upper floors, and the problems we are asked to look at most are moss and weeds taking hold up top and eroded pointing on a chimney stack.
Somewhere as small as West Dean, older roofs are frequently steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what can’t be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at ahead of the visit. Older roofs with steep slopes and tall chimneys are where the extra view helps most.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- West Dean (PO18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
Prices start from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included, and we’ll tell you which fits.
What we need to know
When you call or email, these details help:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Drone roof surveys around West Dean
The drone we use is under 250g, flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID. Flights in the open category stay under 120 m (400 ft), with the drone kept in sight. West Dean House, about 0.1 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around West Dean. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If you look after a building such as West Dean CofE Primary School, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Andrew, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help.
West Dean is about 4 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Surveys in West Dean work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. We also survey roofs in Portsmouth.
Every address in PO18 is covered for drone roof surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Singleton (1 mile east), Charlton (2 miles east), East Dean (3 miles east), Cocking (3 miles north) and Bepton (4 miles north). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (9 miles south-east), Chichester (4 miles south), Selsey (12 miles south), Littlehampton (13 miles south-east), Emsworth (8 miles south-west) and Rustington (13 miles south-east).
Near you in West Dean
The closest station to West Dean is Fishbourne station, roughly 4.8 miles south of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Chichester Castle (4.5 miles south) and Museum of Gardening (less than half a mile north-east). Green spaces nearby include Levin Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
How it works
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, with the pre-flight checks included, and longer for big commercial roofs. Cottages and farmhouses around West Dean often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- First, we check the address for flight restrictions.
- We arrange any permission that’s needed before we fly.
- On the day, we check the weather and the site before flying.
- The drone captures close-up photos of the coverings, chimneys, valleys and gutters.
- We email a written report with the photos and our recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Let us know about parking near the property
Getting a price
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
More services for West Dean
What this survey cannot tell you
A survey is a careful look at the roof, but it can’t do everything. The main limits are:
- Roofs and gardens beyond the one we are surveying
- Photos in conditions too poor to fly
- Flights in a restricted zone without permission
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Fragile roofs
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Large and complex roofs
Why act early in West Dean
Leaving a high roof unchecked means relying on what you can see from below. Close-up photos show what’s really there. Seeing the problem makes it easier to decide what to do. In a small place like West Dean, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you need to know.
Why book us in West Dean
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Package prices that include VAT
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- A photo-illustrated written report
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs on tall buildings
Flat roofs on tall buildings are frequently seen by nobody. From above, standing water, splits and tired upstands are clear.
Chimney stacks
The drone shows the outside of the stack, and it is not a flue or gas safety check. If the flue needs a specialist, we’ll tell you.