Kent · London and the South East
Hillborough Thermal Roof Survey
Wondering about the roof at a property in Hillborough? We carry out thermal roof surveys in Hillborough and across Kent.
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Stains that keep coming back
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
What we cannot see
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- The condition of timbers we can’t see
- Readings unaffected by sun, shade or reflections
- Seeing water directly, as the camera shows temperature, not moisture
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Loft conversions
- Commercial roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Flat roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Ceilings below the roof
How a thermal roof survey works in Hillborough
On a flat roof, wet insulation holds heat longer than dry insulation. That means a wet area can show up as a different temperature from the rest of the roof. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, something you cannot normally tell from the surface. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. If you’ve noticed cold areas below the roof and moisture around outlets and upstands, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on commercial roofs, loft conversions and flat roofs alike.
Around Hillborough, plenty of roofs are low enough to see partly from the garden or the street. Chimney tops, valleys and rear slopes are where close-up or thermal images help most. Both depend on the weather on the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Even so, a close-up image frequently shows wear on ridges and flashings that a view from the ground misses.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Hillborough (CT6)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Wet insulation under a flat roof doesn’t dry out on its own while the covering stays on. Over time, it insulates less well and can harm the deck. Finding them early can mean a smaller job. Around Hillborough, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls, particularly where trees overhang. Dealing with the cause is simple; drying out a wall is not.
Prices start from £400, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and the package you choose.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Hillborough
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Prices that include VAT
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
Airspace, weather and Hillborough roofs
Hillborough is within about 1 mile of the coast, and wind off the sea can be strong. Calm, dry conditions after a sunny day suit thermal imaging best, so the visit is planned around the forecast. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that is where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Hillborough is about 2 miles east of Herne Bay, in Kent. Roofs in Hillborough get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Kent. Hillborough is one of the towns and villages in Kent where we work. Our Canterbury page covers surveys nearby.
We cover every part of CT6 for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. If you need a thermal roof survey at a property on Manor Road, Puffin Road and Neville Road or a nearby road, we can help. With the A299 close by, Hillborough is easy for us to reach. Other places close to Hillborough include Hawthorn (1 mile south-east), Bishopstone (1 mile north), Beltinge (1 mile north-west), Broomfield (1 mile south-west) and Highstead (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (7 miles south-west), Margate (9 miles east), Ramsgate (11 miles east), Broadstairs (11 miles east), Whitstable (6 miles west) and Deal (14 miles south-east).
Around Hillborough
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Bishopstone Cliffs and The Huntsman And Horn Public House. Hillborough’s nearest station is Herne Bay station, roughly 2.2 miles west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.2 miles west). The countryside around Hillborough includes West Blean and Thornden Woods.
What we do, step by step
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take about one to two hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. With a bit of garden around a house, as there frequently is around Hillborough, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. The loft, where there’s safe access, completes the picture.
- 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 we arrive
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Arrange a survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or email us. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
Common questions in Hillborough
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hillborough?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Is Hillborough in the area you cover?
Yes. We work right across London and the South East, and Hillborough is part of that. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
How quickly is the report sent?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. Each one is emailed.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with the building owner or managing agent. Let us know about it when you book and we’ll explain what’s needed.
How much does a thermal roof survey cost?
It comes with our Premium Survey, which starts from £400. That also includes a full inspection, a drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and a same-day report.
What affects the cost of thermal roof surveys
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Building height and the viewpoints available
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- When you need the report by
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
When to book a survey in Hillborough
Once a leak has been fixed, people often ask whether the roof is still wet. Thermal images and moisture readings can suggest whether moisture is still trapped when the conditions on the day are suitable.
Common reasons to book include:
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Stains that keep coming back
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
Take a building like Reculver Church of England Primary School: a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Questions to ask before booking
- How soon the report will arrive
- Whether the price includes VAT
- What insurance they carry
- Will the report include photos?