Kent · London and the South East
Birchden Thermal Roof Survey
Get a clear view of the roof at a property in Birchden. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
Thermal roof surveys in Birchden: local notes
Older houses across Kent frequently have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. Many roofs like these cannot be judged properly from the pavement, and that’s where a view from above or a thermal image earns its place. About 0.8 miles north lies Groombridge Place, a reminder of how long the area around Birchden has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
For businesses in and around places such as The Corn Exchange, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see from above or with a thermal imager. Anyone responsible for a site like Groombridge St Thomas' Church of England Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. Take an older house close to Church of St Thomas the Apostle: tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Birchden is about 4 miles south-west of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. If you’re in Birchden, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our Kent coverage includes Birchden and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
We survey roofs across the TN3 postcode area for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. We also cover Groombridge (1 mile north-west), Stone Cross (2 miles north-west), Ashurst (2 miles north-west), Balls Green (2 miles west) and Fordcombe (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Sevenoaks (12 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (4 miles north-east), Tonbridge (7 miles north-east), Kings Hill (15 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (10 miles north-east) and Southborough (4 miles north-east).
Near you in Birchden
Birchden’s nearest station is Eridge station, roughly 1.2 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Bolebroke Castle (3.9 miles west) and The Corn Exchange (3.1 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.
Thermal roof survey in Birchden
Thermal imaging can also show where a roof is losing heat. Gaps in loft insulation and poorly insulated areas can stand out on the images. It works best when the building is heated and it’s colder outside. The report shows the images and explains what they may mean. We do not give energy ratings or heat loss calculations. If you’re worried about heat escaping through the roof and water getting in at parapets and stacks, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Villages like Birchden frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. Strong wind or a downpour stops a small drone flying, and calm conditions also suit thermal imaging best. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. It’s useful straight away, and a good reference for later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Location
- Birchden (TN3)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Birchden: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Birchden?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is Birchden within the area you cover?
Yes, Birchden is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you as you book.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
How much does a thermal roof survey cost?
It comes with our Premium Survey, which starts from £400. The Premium Survey also covers a full inspection, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and a report on the same day.
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- The shape of the roof and its details
All our prices include VAT. Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
Booking your survey
When you call or email, these details help:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Anything about access we should know
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Check the loft can be reached safely
- Ask us about the forecast if rain is expected
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
- Heat the home normally on the days before
Many people send the report to roofers, who can then quote for the areas shown. Each thermal image is matched to a normal photo, so the areas are easy to locate.
Deal with small splits and lifted seams promptly. Water that gets under a covering can spread a long way before it shows.
What we look for on each type of roof
Pitched slate and tile roofs
On pitched roofs, slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s happening underneath. We back up what the camera shows with a look in the loft where we can.
Loft insulation
Insulation often gets moved during work in the loft. Thermal images can show where it has been pushed aside.
What we can’t see
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- The condition of timbers we can’t see
- Proving moisture from the images alone
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
The survey, step by step
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes about one to two hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. Around Birchden, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- We look over the roof from wherever it’s safe.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Before the survey
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Keep pets in another room
How to book
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or email us and we will ask a few questions about the roof. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
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What you can safely check yourself
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.