Protecting Homes & Businesses with a Higher Perspective
When it comes to your roof, what you can’t see from the ground often costs the most. Roof defects such as cracked tiles, poor flashing, or blocked gutters remain one of the leading causes of new build insurance claims in the UK. Traditional ground-level inspections miss far too much — and scaffolding or cherry pickers are often expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive.
That’s why drone roof surveys are rapidly transforming the way homes and businesses protect themselves. At New Homes Inspections, we combine over a decade of site management and surveying expertise with modern drone technology to deliver inspections that keep homeowners safer and better protected. Every inspection is carried out by qualified pilots and supported by surveyors who understand how defects link directly to warranty coverage and insurance claims.
The Hidden Problems We Uncover
We regularly find roof issues invisible from street level.
For example, in a recent Coventry new build, our drone pilots identified two damaged roof tiles tucked beneath the eaves. From the ground, the roof looked perfect. Left unresolved, these tiles could have allowed water ingress, leading to damp, mould, and potential structural problems.
Because we detected the issue early, the developer resolved it quickly under warranty — saving the homeowner stress and avoiding costly repairs.
It’s far from an isolated case. We also uncover:
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Cracked ridge tiles
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Blocked valleys full of debris
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Gutters fitted without proper falls
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Poorly sealed abutments
All of these can lead to damage if not rectified. Drone surveys expose these weaknesses before they turn into expensive claims.
Why Roof Claims Are So Common
The National House Building Council (NHBC) has consistently found that roof-related issues are a major source of homeowner claims.
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An average of 3.4 defects per new home are reported in the UK.
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Around 22% of homeowner claims involve the roof.
These statistics demonstrate that even brand-new properties are not immune to hidden defects. Builders are under pressure to deliver homes quickly, and roofing is often one of the last elements completed, meaning workmanship can suffer. Drones provide the impartial check that most homeowners need.
The Advantages of Drone Surveys
By capturing high-resolution imagery and close-up views, drones add accuracy and efficiency that traditional inspections cannot match.
Benefits include:
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Clear, high-resolution images that support warranty and insurance claims
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Detection of hidden issues invisible from ground level
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Improved safety by keeping surveyors and homeowners off the roof
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Quick, cost-effective coverage for large or complex roof designs
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Time-stamped photographic evidence delivered within 48 hours
For homeowners, that means peace of mind. For insurers, it means clearer evidence and fewer disputes. And for property managers, it allows routine maintenance to be planned with confidence.
Drone vs. Traditional Roof Survey
| Criteria | Drone Roof Survey | Traditional Access (Ladders/Scaffold) |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | ✓ Keeps personnel on the ground | ✗ Requires working at height |
| Access to hard-to-reach areas | ✓ Excellent for valleys, chimneys, eaves | ✗ Often needs additional scaffolding |
| Speed of inspection | ✓ Rapid deployment, minutes to survey | ✗ Hours/days to set up access |
| Disruption to occupants | ✓ Minimal, no scaffolding required | ✗ Noise, access restrictions |
| Evidence quality | ✓ High-resolution stills & mapping | ✗ Limited photographic perspective |
| Cost efficiency | ✓ Scales well for large/complex roofs | ✗ Costs rise with area/complexity |
| Risk of roof damage | ✓ No foot traffic | ✗ Footfall can dislodge tiles |
| Insurance & warranty evidence | ✓ Time-stamped, geo-referenced images | ✗ Typically less documentation |
| Thermal options | ✓ Thermal payloads detect moisture/insulation issues | ✗ Separate kit needed |
Summary: Drone roof surveys are the safest, quickest, and most evidence-rich option for most residential and commercial properties. Traditional access still has a place for hands-on testing or immediate repair, but for inspection and documentation, drones are the clear choice.
Commercial Applications
Drone roof surveys are not just for private homeowners. Commercial property managers are embracing the technology for warehouses, retail units, schools, and office blocks.
Using DJI Enterprise drones combined with mapping software, we can:
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Create detailed 2D and 3D roof models
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Highlight defects without disruption
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Provide evidence for long-term maintenance and asset management
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Add thermal scans to detect trapped moisture and insulation weaknesses
This makes drone inspections faster, safer, and more cost-effective than traditional methods.
How Drone Surveys Strengthen Insurance Coverage
A photographic record of your roof’s condition is more than just reassurance; it is documentary evidence. Should a dispute arise with a builder or an insurer, our reports carry weight because they are:
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Time-stamped
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Geo-referenced
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Carried out by independent, qualified professionals
With claims expertise from the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) within our team, we know how to present defects in a way that aligns with insurance requirements.
Why Choose New Homes Inspections
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Independent — we never work for developers, only for you
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Qualified drone pilots
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RPSA-registered surveyors
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NEBOSH-certified safety knowledge
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CILA claims specialists
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Clear, professional reports delivered in 48 hours
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Snagging guarantee: if we find fewer than 30 legitimate snags, you get £100 back
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Post-survey care to ensure defects are resolved
Looking Ahead
Drone technology is advancing fast. With artificial intelligence and improved mapping, future surveys will not only highlight defects but also predict potential failure points. As regulations evolve, drones are set to become the default method of roof inspection for both residential and commercial properties.
Homeowners who embrace this technology now gain peace of mind and protect the long-term value of their property.
About New Homes Inspections
New Homes Inspections has been helping buyers and property owners since 2023. With over a decade of site management experience for national developers like Barratt and Redrow, Director Elias Shaw BSc, TechRPSA, NEBOSH leads a team committed to raising standards.
Our combination of construction expertise, safety credentials, qualified pilots, and CILA claims knowledge makes us uniquely positioned to protect your property from the top down.
We are proud to be 5-star rated, with reviews available on our website and trusted platforms like Compare My Move. Every survey is independent, detailed, and carried out with your best interests at heart.
👉 Ready to protect your property? Book your drone roof survey today
Useful Links
Explore these trusted sources for building standards, safety guidance, and inspection technology:
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NHBC Residential Construction Statistics
Warranty data & defect trends for UK new builds.
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NHBC Standards 2024 (PDF)
Pitched roof tolerances & construction guidance.
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DJI Enterprise Roof Inspection Solutions
Drone workflows and technology for safer inspections.
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HSE: Working at Height
Official UK safety guidance for ladders and access.
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Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA)
Independent professional surveyor standards body.
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Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA)
Leading authority on property claims and loss adjusting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drone roof surveys safe?
Yes. Our qualified pilots operate under CAA regulations, eliminating unnecessary roof access risks while delivering detailed results.
Will my builder or insurer accept the report?
Absolutely. Reports are time-stamped, geo-referenced, and aligned with NHBC standards, making them ideal for warranty claims and insurance disputes.
How quickly will I get results?
You’ll receive your full photographic report within 48 hours, complete with annotated images and professional recommendations.
Do you cover commercial properties?
Yes. We provide drone surveys for warehouses, offices, schools, and retail units using DJI Enterprise platforms and mapping software.