Portsmouth · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Portsmouth
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out thermal roof surveys in Portsmouth.
- Water that travels before it shows
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
Thermal roof survey in Portsmouth: what you get
Thermal imaging is often most useful on flat roofs, from small extensions to large commercial roofs. Patterns can suggest where water is trapped under the covering. On pitched roofs, slates and tiles over a ventilated space can hide what’s below, so we also look from the loft where we can reach it safely. We survey pitched roof slopes, flat roofs and commercial roofs, and the problems we are asked to look at most are stains that keep coming back and wet insulation beneath the membrane.
Taller buildings, steep roofs and large commercial roofs are common in places the size of Portsmouth, and they’re hard to see well from the street. A drone gives close-up photos, while thermal imaging can show patterns that point to trapped moisture or missing insulation. Which suits depends on the question you need answering. Both depend on the weather on the day.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Location
- Portsmouth (PO6, PO4, PO1, PO2)
- Wider area
- Portsmouth
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there is safe access. In total, it takes about one to two hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. For a property in Portsmouth, it is useful to know where we can park, and for flats, mention stairs, lifts and shared entrances. On the day, we check the roof from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- First we go over the roof, the problem you’ve noticed and the conditions forecast for the visit.
- We check the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof itself where it is safe.
- We take thermal images of the roof to pick up temperature patterns.
- We check the patterns that stand out with moisture readings where there’s safe access.
- You get a report with thermal images, photographs and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
When you need someone else
A survey is a proper look at the roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:
- A formal energy assessment
- What’s inside walls or under coverings, without opening up
- Clear results when the conditions on the day are poor
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Portsmouth
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
- Commercial roofs
- Flat roofs
- Loft conversions
- Ceilings below the roof
Prices for thermal roof surveys in Portsmouth
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- What’s prompted the survey
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Different roofs, different checks
Loft insulation
The difference is clearest when the home is heated and it is cold out. We explain in the report how the conditions on the day affected what we saw.
Pitched slate and tile roofs
Inside the roof space, thermal images can help with damp around stacks, valleys and roof windows. Findings are checked with moisture readings.
Flying and imaging in Portsmouth
Portsmouth lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and wind off the sea can be strong. 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. What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. The council is the place to check, along with Historic England’s list.
For businesses in and around places like Tricorn Centre, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see from the air or with a thermal camera. Anyone responsible for a site like Manor Infant School will know that a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Portsmouth is in England. We cover Portsmouth, as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across the surrounding area, from the larger towns to small villages.
All of PO6, PO4, PO1 and PO2 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on Church Road, April Square and Rudmore Square and the roads around them. With the A3 and A27 close by, Portsmouth is easy for us to reach for thermal roof surveys. We also cover the places around Portsmouth: Rudmore (1 mile north-west), Landport (1 mile south-west), North End (1 mile north), Fratton (1 mile south-east) and Kingston (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Wymering (3 miles north), Paulsgrove (3 miles north), Drayton (3 miles north-east) and Farlington (3 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Portsmouth
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Portsmouth Academy, Alexandra Park and St Edmund's Catholic School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Fratton station, roughly 0.9 miles south. Nearby you’ll also find Royal Portsmouth Hospital (0.7 miles south-west) and Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum (under half a mile west). Not far away are Milton Locks and Portsdown Hill.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Heat lost through a roof costs money every winter. The camera can point to gaps and thin areas in the insulation, so you know where to put things right. In flats, shops and offices in Portsmouth, a roof leak can reach more than one floor before it shows, where it damages ceilings, insulation and anything stored underneath. Catching it early keeps the damage down.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Our price is from £400, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Portsmouth
- An independent view of the roof
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Visits on any day of the week
- PI and public liability insurance
Read how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in Portsmouth
Is my home in Portsmouth listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
What do I need to do before a survey in Portsmouth?
The main thing is access, inside and out, plus somewhere to park in Portsmouth. It also helps to know about any leaks or earlier repairs.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
Thermal imaging is included in our Premium Survey, from £400. That also includes a full inspection, a drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and a same-day report.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take about 1–2 hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. The written report follows by email.
What can thermal imaging tell me about my roof?
The camera records how the surface temperature varies. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or heat escaping. Findings are checked with moisture readings.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photographs and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
More services for Portsmouth
What we’re asked to look at in Portsmouth
On big commercial and residential flat roofs, thermal imaging helps owners plan. Patterns can point to wet areas and show which parts look sound, so moisture readings can be targeted.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Missing or slipped insulation
The streets around a church like St Wilfrid are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- What experience they bring
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?