Kent · London and the South East
Highstead Thermal Roof Survey
Find out the condition of the roof at your property in Highstead from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
About our thermal roof survey in Highstead
Our thermal survey records how the surface temperature varies across your roof. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or places where heat is getting out. The camera doesn’t see water itself, so we check what it shows with moisture readings. It comes as part of our Premium Survey, from £400. The report also notes the conditions on the day, since they affect what the camera can show. We survey flat roofs, pitched roof slopes and ceilings below the roof, and common reasons people get in touch are wet areas near outlets and upstands and damp around chimneys and parapets.
Some older homes in villages like Highstead are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, which suits a building where any change needs care, before anyone decides what work it needs. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
The report is written in plain words, so you don’t need to be a roofer to follow it. Photos show what each point refers to, and recommendations are put by urgency where it matters.
- Place
- Highstead (CT3, CT6)
- 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
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Do you need a thermal roof survey in Highstead?
Building owners and managing agents use thermal surveys to plan work on larger flat roofs. It can suggest which areas may be wet and which seem dry, so we know where to take moisture readings.
People usually book a survey after spotting one of these:
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
Take a building like Reculver Church of England Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
What to check before booking
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What experience they bring
Places near Highstead
Other services in Highstead
Tips from our surveys
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Keep the report to compare against after any repair
- Take photos of stains as they appear, so we can compare
- Heat the home normally on the days before
- Move stored items away from the loft hatch
Once we have been, the thermal images, photos and readings go into a single report. We explain what each image may mean, alongside what we recommend. With a Premium Survey, you get the report the same day.
Keep an eye on ceilings under the roof for new stains. Early action keeps insulation from staying wet.
How we price thermal roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- How big the roof is
- Height and safe access
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Helping us price your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Roof by roof
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Water frequently gets in where roofs meet walls, parapets or valley gutters. Thermal imaging can help show damp patterns around them.
GRP fibreglass roofs
GRP surfaces can be shiny, which affects thermal readings. We allow for reflections and confirm findings with moisture readings.
Common questions in Highstead
Will you come out to Highstead?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Is my home in Highstead listed or in a conservation area?
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.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Does thermal imaging detect leaks directly?
Not directly. It shows surface temperature, and wet areas can show up because they hold heat differently. We confirm what it suggests with moisture readings.
How long is the visit?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take about one to two hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we are given access to.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photographs and recommendations. It is yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
Drones, thermal imaging and Highstead roofs
Highstead is within about 2 miles of the coast. Thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind, so the date is chosen with the forecast in mind. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
Take an older house close to 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.
Highstead is about 2 miles south-east of Herne Bay, in Kent. In Highstead, as across Kent, every roof gets the same careful survey. Highstead is one of the towns and villages in Kent where we work. Our Canterbury page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in CT3 and CT6 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Nearby, we also carry out thermal roof surveys in Hawthorn (1 mile north), Boyden Gate (1 mile south-east), Millbank (1 mile south-west), Old Tree (1 mile south) and Hillborough (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (7 miles south-west), Margate (9 miles east), Ramsgate (10 miles east), Broadstairs (11 miles east), Whitstable (6 miles west) and Deal (13 miles south-east).
What’s near Highstead
Typical jobs here are in homes near Bishopstone Cliffs and Hog & Donkey pub and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Herne Bay station, roughly 2.7 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.6 miles west). Open spaces near Highstead include West Blean and Thornden Woods.
What happens on the day
We’ll ask a few questions first, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. In a hamlet or village like Highstead, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start by discussing the roof, any signs of damp and how the weather may affect the images.
- We look at the roof from the ground, from windows and from the roof itself where it is safe.
- Thermal images are taken to show differences in surface temperature.
- Areas that look unusual on the camera are checked with moisture readings where possible.
- You get a report with thermal images, photos and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Booking a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Advice
What this survey can’t tell you
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- An energy rating for the building
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
- Flat roofs