Blog>News>Checkatrade launches ‘Santa-Safe’ drone roof checks as rogue roofer spike prompts winter warning
Last updated: 1 December 2025
Checkatrade launches ‘Santa-Safe’ drone roof checks as rogue roofer spike prompts winter warning
The UK’s first ‘Santa-Safe’ drone roof checks have been launched. But there is a serious message behind the move - as new figures reveal a sharp rise in rogue roofers attempting to cash in on winter demand.
Checkatrade’s latest Home Improvement Index data shows a 117% increase in the number of roofers declined from joining the platform in Q3 2025 vs Q2.
What’s more, the overall proportion of roofers declined in Q3 increased to 21%, up from 12% in the previous quarter.
The company warns this seasonal spike leaves consumers more vulnerable to rogue operators exploiting urgent pre-winter repair needs.
To counter the rise, Checkatrade has unveiled its festive Ho Ho Home Check - a drone-powered roof inspection designed to give homeowners independent, crystal-clear evidence of what work is genuinely needed.
Using high-resolution imagery and AI analysis, the service provides an expert second opinion for just £99, a fraction of the cost of traditional surveyors that would usually be required to double-check that roofwork does need completing.
The Ho Ho Home Check can also be used to assess the quality of work carried out, ensuring roofers fix what they say they will.
How ‘Santa-safe’ are Britain's homes?
New Checkatrade research that accompanies the launch reveals the scale of the issue: the average homeowner has lived in their home for a decade (9.8 years), yet 65% of them have never had their roof checked since moving in. Even more (67%) have not had their gutters checked - something else the drone inspects as part of the check.
Not thinking it is needed (24%), waiting for a problem to occur (23%), worries about rogue traders (18%) and concerns over costs are the main reasons homeowners have put off getting their roof inspected.
The service is available year-round, operating outside of the festive period as the Checkatrade Drone Roof Survey. But the seasonal rebrand highlights the importance of safe, sturdy roofs during winter.
Santa himself tested the technology this week [pictured], giving it his seal of approval to ensure a wobble free and safe night of deliveries.
“Santa’s got enough on his plate without worrying about wobbly roof tiles or blocked roof gutters”, notes Jambu Palaniappan, CEO of Checkatrade. “But behind the fun is a serious warning. Every year as winter approaches, rogue roofer activity spikes, and in recent months, we’ve seen the number of applicants failing our responsible vetting checks double.
“Our drone roof survey gives homeowners a low-cost way to confirm whether work is truly needed and whether it’s been carried out properly. And the best protection of all is that consumers can book reputable, vetted tradespeople from a CMA-compliant platform like Checkatrade.”