Kent · London and the South East
Drone roof survey in West Malling, Kent
Drone roof surveys around West Malling, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Hidden gutters full of leaves
- Plant growth and moss on the roof
- Slates or tiles shifted by high winds
Checking the roof from the ground
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Don’t go up yourself.
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Drone roof surveys for homes and businesses in West Malling
Every flight starts with an airspace check. Near protected airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, flight restriction zones mean permission is needed first. Central London has restricted areas of its own, which need NATS permission. If we can’t fly, we use other safe vantage points instead and explain why. Prison sites also have drone restriction zones. If you’re worried about loose ridge and hip tiles and storm damage on steep or tall roofs, we can find out what’s behind it, on chimney stacks, tall and steep roofs and large and complex roofs alike.
Older cottages and houses around West Malling may have little insulation, and some have extensions with their own roofs. 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.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Place
- West Malling (ME19)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near West Malling
Also in West Malling
Landlord and commercial surveys in West Malling
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the roof, with photos.
Airspace, weather and West Malling roofs
Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Within a mile and a half or so of West Malling there are several hotels. For hotels and other commercial buildings, large roofs are where photos from the air and thermal images show the most at once.
A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around West Malling means lost rooms as well as repairs. Take a building like More Park Catholic Primary School: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. For an older house near a landmark such as Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
West Malling is about 6 miles west of Maidstone, in Kent. We survey roofs in West Malling and the rest of Kent. Our area takes in places right across Kent. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the ME19 postcode area for drone roof surveys. Whether your property is on High Street, Police Station Road and London Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Main roads around West Malling include the A20, so getting to you is simple. Close by, we survey roofs in Well Street (1 mile south-east), East Malling (1 mile east), Kings Hill (2 miles south), Ditton (2 miles east) and Red Hill (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Maidstone (6 miles east), Sittingbourne (15 miles east), Dartford (13 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (9 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (12 miles south-west) and Gravesend (9 miles north).
Local landmarks in West Malling
In West Malling, that means homes and buildings near Manor Park Country Park, The Malling School and The Malling School. West Malling’s nearest station is West Malling station, about 0.7 miles east. A little further out are Coldrum Long Barrow (2.3 miles north-west) and Leybourne Castle (1.1 miles north-east). The countryside around West Malling includes Burham Down and Blue Bell Hill.
Common questions in West Malling
Is drone flying allowed in West Malling?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. Before any flight, we check the Drone Safety Map for airspace restrictions, including zones around airports and prisons. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather.
How do I find out if my home in West Malling is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
How much does a drone roof survey cost in West Malling?
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report, and it doesn’t include calculations. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we’ll recommend one.
What if it rains on the day?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In strong wind or a downpour, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, so we’d move the date with you.
How do I book a survey in West Malling?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Let us know the address and a little about the roof. Surveys run on any day of the week.
What affects the cost of drone roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
Drone roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included.
Booking your survey
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. It is enough to let us know:
- Anything about access we should know
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
When you need someone else
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- Flights in high wind or heavy rain
- A flight where airspace permission is refused
- Anything inside the loft or under the coverings
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Fragile roofs
- Large and complex roofs
- Flat roofs on upper floors
- Chimney stacks
- Tall and steep roofs
- Valleys and parapet gutters
How the survey 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 will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes an hour or two at a house, including the airspace and weather checks before take-off. A visit to a smaller place like West Malling is no different on the day: we look from ground level, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it is safe. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- We start by checking the airspace and any restrictions at your address.
- Where a flight restriction zone or restricted area applies, we seek permission first.
- We assess the wind, the weather and the surroundings before take-off.
- We fly the drone close to the roof to photograph it in detail, always in sight.
- Your report arrives by email, with close-up photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Check pets are kept safely away
Arrange a survey
When you’re ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or email us. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Related advice
Useful tips for West Malling property owners
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Expect a little longer if permission is needed
- Clear a spot on the drive or lawn
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Let us know the exact address when booking
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. They’ll see exactly where each defect is, so their quotes cover the same ground.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, especially in autumn. On high roofs, leave clearing to a professional. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet.