Technology continues to transform the surveying profession, and one of the biggest developments in recent years has been the increasing use of drones to inspect buildings. At Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors, we’ve been using drones as part of our surveying services for several years, and as demand has grown, we’ve recently invested in an additional drone to expand our capabilities.
All of our drone operators hold the appropriate licences and qualifications, allowing us to carry out inspections safely, legally and professionally. While drones aren’t suitable for every situation, they have become an increasingly valuable tool that allows us to inspect many areas of a property that would otherwise be difficult to assess from ground level.
Why use a drone for a Building Survey?
One of the greatest advantages of drone technology is the ability to capture high-quality images and video of areas that are difficult or impossible to inspect from the ground.
For example, many modern industrial buildings feature large, shallow-pitched roofs where roof coverings, rooflights, gutters and drainage details cannot be properly viewed due to awkward sight lines. A drone allows our surveyors to examine these areas safely and in far greater detail.
Drone surveys are also particularly beneficial when inspecting older two and three-storey residential properties. Features such as valley gutters, central lead-lined gutters and roof areas hidden behind parapet walls are often impossible to see from street level. Using a drone enables us to inspect these concealed areas without the need for immediate access equipment.
Tall commercial buildings with flat roofs also present similar challenges, as roof coverings and drainage details cannot usually be seen from the ground. In many cases, drone technology provides an efficient way of obtaining the information needed to assess the condition of these elements.
Although drone technology has become an increasingly important part of our work, it is not a replacement for the knowledge and expertise of an experienced Building Surveyor. There is still no substitute for physically inspecting a roof or building element first-hand; being able to closely examine materials, test their condition and experience the building in person remains an important part of many surveys.
For this reason, there are still occasions where more traditional access methods are the best option. For example, if we need to gain physical access to a large flat roof to carry out a detailed inspection, we may recommend using a cherry picker or other specialist access equipment instead.
Like any technology, drones do have some practical limitations. They cannot be flown safely during periods of heavy rain or high winds, which means inspections sometimes need to be postponed if weather conditions are unsuitable. This can occasionally result in abortive visits or the need to rearrange appointments.
There are also certain locations where drone flights are restricted, meaning alternative inspection methods may be required depending on the property’s location and surrounding environment.
Our Surveyors will always choose the most appropriate inspection method based on the type of building, the purpose of the survey and the level of detail required.
Contact Lea Hough
At Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors, we believe the best surveying outcomes come from combining modern technology with experienced professional judgement. Drone inspections allow us to gather valuable information quickly, safely and efficiently, while our experienced surveyors interpret that information to provide clear, practical advice about the condition of your property.
If you require a drone survey as part of a residential or commercial property inspection, or would like to discuss the most appropriate survey for your building, our experienced team would be happy to help.
Contact Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors today to find out more about our drone surveying services and arrange an inspection.
