Kent · London and the South East
Ratling Thermal Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out thermal roof surveys in Ratling and across Kent.
- Stains that keep coming back
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Cold areas below the roof
Thermal roof survey in Ratling: what you get
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, which is hard to judge by eye. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. Common reasons to book are wet areas near outlets and upstands and cold areas below the roof, across loft conversions, insulated roof spaces and ceilings below the roof.
Somewhere as small as Ratling, older roofs are often steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you can’t get from ground level. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Place
- Ratling (CT3)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Heat lost through a roof costs money every winter. Thermal images can show where insulation is missing or has slipped, so improvements can go where they’re needed. In a place like Ratling, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Prices start from £400, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and which survey you book.
Why book us in Ratling
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- An independent look at the roof
- A written report with photographs
Take a look at our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Places near Ratling
More services for Ratling
The survey, step by step
We will ask a few questions first, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes an hour or two on an ordinary house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. For a village or hamlet like Ratling, the journey is planned beforehand: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- We look over the roof from wherever it is safe.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Before we arrive
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
How to book
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Related advice
Common roof problems in Ratling
People often book a thermal survey when a damp patch has no obvious cause. A leak may start well away from where the stain appears. The camera helps narrow the search.
People usually book a survey after spotting one of these:
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Cold areas below the roof
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Stains that keep coming back
If your house is among the older ones in the streets near St Peter, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
What to check before booking
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- What they will not be able to tell you
Roof by roof
Pitched slate and tile roofs
On pitched roofs, slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s happening underneath. We combine the images with an inspection from the loft where there’s safe access.
GRP fibreglass roofs
GRP roofs are laid over timber boards, so trapped moisture can affect the deck. The camera can help show where to look.
What affects the price in Ratling
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The roof’s overall size
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or email us, let us know about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Ratling: your questions answered
Is my home in Ratling listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Is Ratling in the area you cover?
Yes, Ratling is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Will the survey show heat loss through my roof?
The camera can point to heat loss and gaps in insulation. The survey is not an energy rating or a heat loss calculation, but the report shows where to look more closely.
Can you use a thermal camera on a sloping roof?
On pitched roofs, the camera can point to heat loss and some damp patterns. Our report is clear about what can be read from them, and back them up with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
How soon will I get the report?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. Each one is emailed.
How long does the survey take?
It usually takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. The report follows by email.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Ratling
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the addresses.
Drones, thermal imaging and Ratling roofs
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Across Kent, older roofs are often handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. A drone or thermal camera adds most on the steep, tall and hidden parts of roofs like these.
Anyone responsible for a site like St Joseph's Catholic Primary School will know that a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it. With Goodnestone Park about 1 mile north-east, the area around Ratling has a long history. A drone or thermal survey doesn’t involve any work on the roof, which suits older buildings.
Ratling is about 6 miles south-east of Canterbury, in Kent. Ratling is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. Our Kent coverage includes Ratling and the places around it. Our Canterbury page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in CT3 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Neighbouring places we cover for thermal roof surveys include Nonington (1 mile south-east), Snowdown (1 mile south), Goodnestone (1 mile north-east), Chillenden (2 miles east) and Woolage Village (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Canterbury (6 miles north-west), Margate (13 miles north-east), Dover (8 miles south-east), Folkestone (11 miles south), Ramsgate (11 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (13 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Ratling
Ratling’s nearest station is Adisham station, roughly 0.5 miles north-west. Other landmarks nearby include St Martins Hospital (5.2 miles north-west).