Drone Survey | Costs and Benefits

Contents

In this blog, we’ll explore what drone surveys are, how they’re done, the pros and cons, but most importantly, how they are transforming the property surveying game.

What are property drone surveys?

A drone roof survey involves a certified and skilled property surveyor who then flies the drone toward the roof and checks for possible damage on your roof or chimney stack. The damage can consist of missing or damaged shingles, mold growth, leaks, gutter issues, and ventilation problems. Inspecting the roof is also the most difficult act of a home survey.

Then the property surveyor will download and review the footage to confirm if there is any damage and report back on the report.

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How much does a drone roof inspection cost?

A roof survey, like the home survey, depends on the property size, location, and if there are accessibility problems. So I’ll give you an example of a flat roof or a single-storey property, this is the most simple residential aerial survey and will cost around £200. However, if you have a more complicated roof, like a gable roof (the most common), then you are looking at anywhere from £350 to £450.

This just goes to show residential aerial surveys can range dramatically in price. This is why, in our opinion, at Cadastral its a smarter choice to get a home survey like a Level 2 or Level 3. Its more costly, on average, £700 for a Level 2, but you get your whole house inspected, including a drone roof survey. This gives you the information you need to tackle your roof maintenance while also giving advice on dozens of defects in your home.

How are drone roof surveys conducted?

You wouldn’t necessarily believe it, but drone surveys have a meticulous planning process that ensures safety and achieving the end result, which is a clear video or photos that show the condition of the roof, gutters, and chimney stack. Let me break down how they plan it out and then manage the overall survey:

1. The operator of the drone starts with a flight assessment and then develops a precise flight plan to make sure that it runs smoothly. This flight assessment breaks down some potential issues the operator can run into. These issues can be:

• Restricted fly areas
• Weather conditions
• Layout of the property
• Obstruction (power lines, trees, antennas)

1. Then, as the operator gets ready to fly over and around the roof, they collect images of the condition of the property, including any potential damage, wear and tear, or areas in need of maintenance.
2. After the flight takes place, the surveyor checks for damage and then advises the potential homebuyer on how to deal with the issues.

The benefits of drone surveys

Drone surveys offer unparalleled benefits in property surveying; the most obvious one is the pure efficiency. Taking a drone up to a roof is a lot clearer, and the images you get for an aerial view are much better than if someone is on the roof taking pictures.

There are also great benefits when it comes to safety: they provide a way for nobody to be on ladders or scaffolding to get a view of the condition of the roof; this saves time and labour costs; if someone was going to do it manually (without a drone), they would charge a lot more just for the added risks and time it takes.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, drone surveys are revolutionising the property surveying industry with their efficiency, accuracy, and safety benefits. As this technology continues to advance, its role in property surveying is only set to grow; this will mean cheaper and safer surveys in the future.

Get a quote for a survey today. With our experienced team, you will be ready to take the next step to having a better understanding of your home’s condition and addressing any maintenance needs with confidence.