Drone survey FAQs
Straight answers about how we work, what it costs and what you get. 33 questions, grouped by topic.
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Safety, permissions & insurance
How we fly legally and safely, and what we can send to your procurement or H&S team.
Are your drone pilots CAA approved?
Yes. We operate under CAA Operational Authorisation 11363. Our pilots are qualified and certified, and every flight is planned and flown in line with our authorisation and current UK drone law.
All our drone operations are overseen by Anthony Carter, our co-founder, director and Chief Pilot. Anthony first gained CAA permission for commercial operations (PfCO) in 2017. He holds the CAA’s Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1), General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) and A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC), as well as an Ofqual Level 5 Chief Pilot qualification. He is also a BINDT Level 2 Thermographer and holds a NEBOSH Certificate in Construction.
What insurance do you hold?
We hold £10 million public liability, £10 million employers’ liability and £1 million professional indemnity insurance, plus specialist drone cover that meets the requirements of EC Regulation 785/2004.
When a job needs specialist equipment that we hire in, it’s covered by our hired-in plant insurance.
We can send copies of our certificates before we attend site.
Do I need council or CAA permission for a drone survey?
You don’t usually need planning or council permission for a drone survey. The legal responsibility sits with the drone operator, who must comply with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules. We check airspace restrictions, such as airport flight restriction zones, and arrange any extra permissions, plus landowner consent for take-off and landing, as part of every job.
Can you fly in cities, near airports or around people?
Yes. Before every job we carry out airspace checks, secure any permissions needed from air traffic control or landowners, and complete a site-specific risk assessment. Busy urban and rail sites may need a little more planning time, and we build that into the quote.
Do you provide RAMS?
Yes. Every flight comes with our pre-flight paperwork, which includes our risk assessment and method statement (RAMS).
If you need it before we attend, we can send it to you. A copy is also always included with your survey results in our secure online portal, so it stays on record with your survey.
Will the drone photograph residents or neighbouring properties?
Never intentionally. Every flight is planned around the building being surveyed, with the camera pointed at the roof and façade rather than into windows, gardens or neighbouring homes. Anything captured by accident is blurred or removed before delivery, and all imagery is handled in line with UK GDPR. Resident notification letters are available on request.
Do I need a licence to fly my own drone?
There’s no single “drone licence” in the UK. What you need depends on the weight of your drone, whether it has a camera, and what you’re using it for.
For flying outdoors, the CAA rules by weight are:
Under 100g: you don’t need a Flyer ID or an Operator ID, although the CAA strongly recommends taking the Flyer ID test.
100g to under 250g (including UK0 class): you need a Flyer ID. If the drone has a camera, you also need an Operator ID.
250g to under 25kg (including UK1 to UK4 class): you need both a Flyer ID and an Operator ID.
A Flyer ID shows you’ve passed the CAA’s free online theory test. An Operator ID registers the person or organisation responsible for the drone, and it’s renewed every year.
What you’re doing with the drone matters too. Flying closer to people in the Open Category’s “Near People” (A2) sub-category needs an A2 Certificate of Competency. Higher-risk work outside the Open Category needs an Operational Authorisation from the CAA. Any business that uses drones must register as an operator, and flying for anything other than recreation, sport or a hobby needs third-party insurance as a minimum.
If you’re unsure, always check the CAA rules before you fly.
Booking, weather & access
Where we work, what we need from you on the day, and what happens if the weather turns.
Do you cover the whole UK?
We cover all of mainland UK, across England, Scotland and Wales. Our pilots are based around the country, so wherever your site is, we can get to it. Sites in Northern Ireland and on the islands, such as the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and the Scottish islands, are available on request. Just send us the site address when you ask for a quote and we’ll confirm a survey date.
How quickly can you get to site?
For every job we aim to be onsite within seven days from instruction, although this does depend on weather and permissions. We have strategically located pilots living in or near towns and cities across the UK, so we can usually get to your site quickly. Timing depends on the location, the service and the weather. Tell us your timescale when you ask for a quote and we’ll confirm a date.
Do I need to be on site during the survey?
Not usually. We need access to the ground around the building and a point of contact if applicable, but no one needs to accompany the pilot. For occupied or public-facing sites we agree timings and any cordons in advance.
Can you fly in rain or high winds?
Only within safe limits. We have a range of drones, and some are built for tougher conditions. Our IP-rated drones are sealed against dust and water, and some models are rated to fly in stronger winds than others. Even so, safety is our main priority, so we always fly within the manufacturer’s guidelines and our own operating limits. Strong winds and rain also affect image quality, so we plan surveys for dry, settled conditions.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We check the forecast in the days before your survey. If wind or rain would affect safety or image quality, we’ll rebook at no extra cost and let you know as early as possible.
Some surveys also depend on the season. Thermal heat loss surveys need cold, dry conditions, so they generally run from October to March. Solar panel surveys need clear, sunny weather, so we plan them around a good forecast. Most other surveys, including roof, facade and measured surveys, run all year round, weather permitting.
If you need a seasonal survey, booking early is always best.
Prices & quotes
What a drone survey costs, what’s included and how it compares with access equipment.
How much does a drone survey cost?
Drone roof inspections start from £250.00 + VAT for small domestic properties and £350.00 + VAT for commercial properties. Larger buildings, measured surveys and multi-site programs are quoted individually after a free desk-based assessment.
Do your prices include VAT, permissions and travel?
Published prices exclude VAT. Flight permissions and travel are included, and your fixed quote stays fixed, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
How do drone surveys compare to scaffolding?
For inspections and condition surveys, a drone is almost always significantly cheaper. Scaffolding means erection, weekly hire and dismantling, and only gives access to the scaffolded sections. A drone covers the whole roof in one visit with no one working at height, and you can then scaffold only the areas that need repair.
Do you offer savings on multiple sites?
Yes. We plan multi-site and volume work by area, so our pilots spend less time travelling and more time flying, and we pass those savings on to you.
Housing associations see the biggest savings. On estates, where homes sit close together, one pilot can carry out roof condition surveys on up to 20 properties a day. Retail portfolios tend to be more spread out, but depending on location, one pilot can cover up to five sites a day.
Because those figures are per pilot, larger programmes can be finished faster with more pilots. Send us your property list and we’ll put together a quote that reflects how your sites are grouped.
Data & deliverables
What you receive, how it’s delivered and who it’s for.
What will I receive, and how quickly?
As a minimum, high-resolution imagery organised into folders by area, so faults are easy to find. Imagery is usually delivered within 48 hours. Written reports, 3D models, point clouds, CAD drawings and Revit models can be added, with turnaround agreed in your quote.
How is the data delivered?
Through our secure online portal, organised by site and building, ready to view, download and share with your team and contractors.
Are you independent?
Yes. Drone Site Surveys is fully independent. We’re not tied to any contractor, roofer or supplier, and we don’t carry out repair work ourselves, so we gain nothing from what we find.
Some roofing contractors offer a free drone survey and then quote for the repairs it finds. It’s worth asking whether a survey from the company that will be paid to do the work can ever be truly independent.
Our findings are objective. We report what the images show, whether that’s a slipped tile, a failing flat roof or a roof in good condition. You get clear evidence you can rely on, whether you’re planning maintenance or checking work that’s already been done.
You can also share our survey with as many contractors as you like. Each one prices the same defects from the same evidence, so you can compare quotes like for like and get the best outcome for your property.
What drones do you use?
We have a squadron of drones, from small aircraft that fit in the palm of your hand to large drones that are wider than your outstretched arms. Our fleet includes DJI, Skydio, Autel and Parrot aircraft, carrying high-resolution and thermal cameras.
That range means we always use the best drone for the job. Our smallest drones work safely in tight urban spaces and close to buildings, while our larger aircraft carry heavier cameras for big sites and infrastructure. We choose the drone and camera to suit your site and the detail you need.
Who uses your services?
Anyone with a roof, facade or piece of land that needs surveying. Our clients range from homeowners checking a single roof to organisations managing large property portfolios.
They include housing associations, local authorities, schools, facilities and estates teams, retail and commercial property owners, surveyors, contractors, insurers, landlords and homeowners.
Whatever the size of the job, you get the same safe, detailed survey, with no scaffolding or ladders needed.
About our services
Quick answers about our main survey types. Each links to the full service page.
What is a drone roof survey?
A drone roof survey is a visual inspection of your roof using a drone. There’s no need for scaffolding, a cherry picker or anyone climbing onto the roof.
The drone takes high-resolution photos from above and from angles that are hard to reach on foot, so problems such as slipped or missing tiles, damaged flashing and blocked gutters are easy to see. You get a dated photographic record of your roof that you can review, share and keep.
Is a drone survey as good as a physical roof inspection?
Often it’s better, and it’s definitely safer. For checking a roof’s visible condition, a drone usually shows more than someone standing on the roof can. It covers the whole roof from above and from every angle, including areas that can’t safely be reached on foot. You also get a photographic record you can zoom in on, share and compare over time.
At the very least, a drone survey is the right first step. It’s quicker than a physical inspection, and no one needs to go up on the roof or wait for scaffolding.
It isn’t an intrusive or structural investigation. If something needs a closer look, the survey shows exactly where opening-up or testing should be targeted, so you only pay for access where it’s needed.
Can a drone survey replace a chartered surveyor’s inspection?
No, and it isn’t meant to. A drone survey supports a chartered surveyor’s inspection rather than replacing it.
We work with many chartered surveyors, supplying clear, high-resolution images of roofs, chimneys, gutters and facades that are hard or unsafe to see from the ground. They use our images to inform their own reports and professional judgement, without the cost or delay of scaffolding. Asset managers use them in the same way to plan maintenance.
Our own surveyors can also write a non-invasive report based on what the drone images show. Drone Site Surveys is not currently a RICS-regulated firm, so where you need a RICS survey, our report doesn’t replace one.
If you need a full building survey, your surveyor can commission a drone survey from us alongside it, or we can share our images with a surveyor you’ve already appointed.
What is a drone thermal survey?
A survey using a radiometric thermal camera on a drone to measure surface temperatures across a roof and elevations. Temperature differences reveal heat loss, missing insulation, cold bridging and water ingress.
What is a heat loss survey?
A thermal survey focused on where warmth is escaping from a building, highlighting missing insulation, thermal bridging and air leakage.
What is a measured survey?
An accurate record of a building or site, supplied as drawings, point clouds or models. A measured building survey records the building itself, while a topographical survey records the land, levels and site features.
What is a point cloud?
A point cloud is a 3D digital copy of a building or site, made up of millions of tiny points. Each point marks the exact position of a surface, so together they record the precise shape and size of everything we capture.
We collect the data in two ways. Our drones fly around the building or site taking overlapping photos from every angle, and photogrammetry software uses them to work out where each point sits. For interiors and fine detail, we also use LiDAR scanners, which measure distances with laser pulses. We combine both with GNSS survey control, so everything lines up in one accurate, coordinated record.
You can view a point cloud on screen and take measurements from it. We supply it in standard formats such as E57 and LAS, and it can also be turned into CAD drawings and Revit models for architects, engineers and designers.
What is a digital twin?
A digital twin is a digital replica of your building, inside and out. We combine an external 3D model built from drone data with an internal 360 scan, captured with Matterport or LiDAR equipment, so you can explore every room and elevation remotely.
It lets you inspect the building from anywhere and cuts down on site visits. Engineers, contractors and stakeholders can walk through it together to plan maintenance, refurbishment or new works, and you can take measurements inside and out. It also gives you a dated record of the building’s condition, which we can refresh after works.
Access is kept secure with a password, QR code or your company network. Floor plans and point cloud data can be added for design and BIM teams.
What is a schedule of condition survey?
A schedule of condition is a dated record of a property’s condition at a set point in time, usually with photographs and written descriptions. It’s used before building works, at the start or end of a lease, for dilapidations, and to plan maintenance.
Schedules of condition are one of our specialisms, and we tailor what you receive to your requirements. Visual outputs range from roof and facade overview and close-up photos to thermal imaging, 360° internal scans, 3D models and digital twins. Written outputs include roof and facade condition reports and RAG reports that prioritise repairs. We also work with RICS-qualified partners on planned preventive maintenance, dilapidation and lifecycle cost reports.
Tell us what your schedule of condition is for, and we’ll recommend the right combination of outputs.
What is a RAG condition report?
A RAG report rates each part of a building red, amber or green, so you can see at a glance what needs attention.
Red means a defect that needs urgent work, such as slipped tiles, a failing chimney or a blocked outlet letting water in. Amber means wear or damage to plan into upcoming works. Green means that part is in good condition.
We capture roofs, chimneys, gutters, fascias and walls in close-up 4K drone imagery, and every rating comes with the photos that back it up. We agree the rating criteria with you before the survey, so the report matches how your team already prioritises repairs. You get a PDF report for each property and CSV data you can import into your asset management system.
What is site progress monitoring?
Regular drone surveys of a construction site at agreed intervals, capturing photos, video and data to record how the project is progressing.
Can a drone identify RAAC?
No. RAAC is usually hidden beneath roof coverings and finishes, so it must be identified by a structural engineer or surveyor. Drones support that work by recording the roof and signs of deterioration.
Call us on 0345 017 5592 (Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00) or email info@dronesitesurveys.co.uk.