Kent · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Barfrestone
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out thermal roof surveys in Barfrestone, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Cold areas below the roof
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Leaks that are hard to trace
When you need someone else
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- An energy rating for the building
- Seeing water directly, as the camera shows temperature, not moisture
- What’s inside walls or under coverings, without opening up
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
- Commercial roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Flat roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
About our thermal roof survey in Barfrestone
Wet insulation under a flat roof covering holds heat for longer than dry. So a wet patch can show as a warmer or cooler area on the camera. It helps us see how far water may have spread under the covering, which is hard to judge by eye. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. We survey loft conversions, pitched roof slopes and ceilings below the roof, and the problems we are asked to look at most are areas of a flat roof that may hold water and gaps in loft insulation.
Villages like Barfrestone often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Barfrestone (CT15)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Barfrestone
After a long-running leak, insulation under a flat roof can stay wet. Owners want to know how far it has spread before deciding what to do. Thermal images and moisture readings together can show the likely extent.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Missing or slipped insulation
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
The streets around a church such as Church of St Nicholas are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
FAQs for Barfrestone
Is my home in Barfrestone listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you cover Barfrestone?
Yes, Barfrestone is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and South East England. You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
It is part of the Premium Survey, from £400. You also get an in-person consultation and a 12-month follow-up. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for their size.
Does someone need to be in?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We’ll talk about access when booking.
What does a thermal roof survey show?
The images show how warm or cool each part of the surface is. Differences can suggest wet areas, missing insulation or heat loss, which we then check with moisture readings.
Does the weather affect a thermal survey?
Conditions on the day have a big effect on what the camera can show. A dry surface, little wind and a sunny spell beforehand help most. We record the conditions in the report, so you know how much weight to give the images.
What happens next?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
DIY checks: what’s safe
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
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.
Thermal roof surveys in Barfrestone: local notes
About 2.7 miles north lies Goodnestone Park, a reminder of how long the area around Barfrestone has been built on. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Across Kent, older roofs are frequently handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. A drone or thermal camera adds most on the steep, tall and hidden parts of roofs like these.
Take a building like Eythorne Elvington Community Primary School: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Barfrestone is about 5 miles north-west of Dover, in Kent. Barfrestone gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a proper look at everything that’s safely in view, photographs and a clear written report. Our area takes in places right across Kent. Canterbury is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for thermal roof surveys: CT15. We also cover the places around Barfrestone: Frogham (1 mile north-west), Elvington (1 mile east), Nonington (1 mile north-west), Snowdown (2 miles north-west) and Woolage Village (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns like Canterbury (9 miles north-west), Margate (14 miles north-east), Dover (5 miles south-east), Folkestone (9 miles south), Ramsgate (12 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (14 miles north-east).
Around Barfrestone
The nearest railway station is Shepherds Well station, about 1.3 miles south-west. A little further out are Buckland Hospital (5.5 miles south-east).
Useful tips for Barfrestone property owners
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Take photos of stains as they appear, so we can compare
- Keep the report to compare against after any repair
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
- Check the loft can be reached safely
If the images suggest moisture that can’t be confirmed, we’ll say what would help next, for example electronic leak detection or a roofer opening up a small section.
Keep an eye on ceilings under the roof for new stains. Catching a leak early stops insulation getting soaked.
Nearby places to Barfrestone
More services for Barfrestone
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- The roof’s overall size
- House, block, shop or office
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Booking your survey
There’s no need for technical words. Just let us know:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
Prices start from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
How the survey works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Around Barfrestone, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start with the roof, its history and any signs of damp or heat loss.
- We check the conditions and note how they may affect the images.
- A full inspection and thermal imaging are carried out together.
- Moisture readings are used to check what the camera shows.
- The Premium report reaches you the same day, and we go through it with you in person.
How to prepare
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Getting a price
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.