Drone Roof Inspections
Drone Roof Inspections: A Clearer View of Your Future Home
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a house to repair, and also one of the hardest to inspect properly. For more than a year now, I’ve used a drone as part of my surveys at Bevan Surveyors. It has changed how much I can tell clients about the roof of the property they’re buying.
Why the roof is hard to inspect
Traditionally, surveyors look at a roof from ground level, from neighbouring land or from upstairs windows, often with binoculars. That works up to a point. But many defects simply can’t be seen from below: slipped or cracked slates hidden behind a parapet, worn flashing around chimneys, failing valley gutters, or damage on rear and inner slopes that face away from the street. This is especially true of the tall Victorian and Georgian terraces common across Bristol.
What the drone shows
A drone gets close-up, high-resolution views of every part of the roof without anyone climbing a ladder or stepping onto it. I can see the condition of the coverings, ridge tiles, chimney stacks, flashings, gutters and flat roof areas in far more detail than ground-level inspection allows. Defects that would have been invisible, even through binoculars, show up clearly.
What this means for you
- More information about the roof’s condition, so you know what you’re buying
- Fewer unpleasant surprises after you move in
- Better grounds to renegotiate if repairs are needed before you complete
- No extra charge: drone inspection is included as part of my surveys
Buying a home is a big decision, and the roof is too important to judge from a distance. If you’d like a survey with a clearer view of what’s above your head, get in touch for a quote.
Fully licensed, insured and weather-aware
I hold CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID credentials and carry drone insurance, so every flight is carried out legally and responsibly.
Drones can’t fly safely in every condition. Strong winds and heavy rain can make a flight impractical on the day. When that happens, I don’t simply leave the roof out of the report. Where necessary, I return to the property when the weather permits to complete the drone inspection, so you still get the full picture.
