What is a Drone Inspection?
A drone roof inspection is the practice of using a drone to collect inspection data showing the condition of a roof, then using that data to complete an inspection of the roof.
In most drone roof inspections, the data a drone pilot collects is high-resolution photos and video. They may also collect thermal data or LiDAR data.
Without a drone, the traditional way to conduct a roof inspection is for a home inspector or insurance loss adjuster to climb onto the roof with a ladder.
Once up there, they inspect the portions of the roof they can see with their naked eye, taking pictures of areas that look problematic so they can study them more closely later, and use them to make a final inspection report.
In a drone roof inspection, on the other hand, the inspector will be looking for potential damage and wear in different parts of the roof, including:
- Downspouts
- Chimneys
- Flashings
- Gutters
- Materials
- Vents
- Skylights
- Vents
A Note on the Phrase Drone Roof Inspection
In any inspection, inspection data must first be collected, then analysed by an expert.
Just like the term “drone inspection,” the term “drone roof inspection” is a general phrase that refers to the data collection part of the job. That is, a drone pilot may do a drone roof inspection without actually analysing the data they collect (that analysis is often done later, by a subject matter expert).
However, some home inspectors use drones to collect the data they need for a roof inspection and then analyse that data themselves. But it’s more common for a drone pilot to collect the data and give it to a professional inspector, who will then complete the inspection.
Drone Roof Inspection Cost
Getting a drone roof inspection can have a range of costs depending on:
- The size of the roof or roofs
- How complicated the roof is to inspect
- The location of the building
- The deliverables being sought
For the average home, the cost range is about £250-£500 for a professional drone roof inspection.
Drone pilots may charge anywhere from £150 to £250 an hour for roof inspection work. If you’re doing a roof inspection for a large property or a piece of commercial real estate, you can project a higher cost due to the greater amount of work and time needed to collect data.
