How drones or UAVs are used in building surveying

OA Surveyors are one of the few local firms of Chartered Surveyors who have embraced drone technology.  We’ve invested in the latest drone equipment, have an in-house qualified drone operator and are now able to offer a wider range of services to our clients.  Our equipment is fully certified and full commercial insurance is in place.

Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), as they’re most often referred to in commercial applications, are working all around us every day.  They’re recognised as easy, cost-effective and efficient tools and have replaced many of the older, more expensive and disruptive methods of working. 

They are used by news channels, film makers, for sports coverage and by the emergency services for surveillance and tracking.  Many of the larger UAVs can be fitted with thermal imaging equipment, carry professional video cameras, help with LiDAR mapping and produce accurate land mapping imagery.  They’re increasingly being used in farming, agriculture and conservation, to plan crop rotation, to check on livestock and fencing and to monitor wildlife.  The use of UAV equipment in the property industry has grown at an incredible pace over the last couple of years, used by estate agents, Chartered Surveyors, architects and property managers. 

With more UAVs in the sky and ever-increasing demands on their use, it has been necessary for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the British Government to put stricter controls and regulation in place.  Drone operators now need to be registered with the CAA, their equipment needs to be certified and this registration information needs to be displayed on the UAV equipment.  New legislation was delayed by the Covid pandemic but came into force on 31st December 2020.  The use of a drone in specific situations is now dictated by the size and weight of the drone and the qualifications of the equipment operator.  New classes have been introduced with strict controls on how close operators can fly to buildings and people.  Rather than distinguishing between commercial and recreational operations, there is now more emphasis on safety, the type of equipment being used and the qualifications and experience of the UAV pilot.

Our own drone operator works very closely with our surveyors to ensure the most efficient and relevant use of this new technology.  It’s proved an invaluable addition to our service portfolio and recent projects have included: 

Property management inspections

Rather than arranging for scaffolding to be erected or a cherry picker platform to be hired, OA Surveyors have been able to complete high level inspections and produce high quality photographs and video footage.  This has proved a far more cost-effective solution for our clients with a very low level of disruption.

Roof inspections for insurance companies

Insurers are increasingly asking for recorded inspections to be completed on flat roof areas every couple of years.  A small drone is perfect for this job and has proved an invaluable tool for the surveyors and property managers.  With these inspections scheduled and completed, the client can rest assured that water damage claims will not be prejudiced by a failure to act.

Major works contracts 

Drones are able to take photographs of those hard-to-see areas of buildings.  This enables our surveyors to produce accurate and relevant works specifications.  It takes away the need for contractors to add estimated contingency sums at the time of tendering and helps projects be completed within financial budgetary targets.

Five and ten year cyclical works plans 

Our drone operator is able to provide our surveyors with close, high quality photographs of subject properties.  This information proves invaluable when assessing the need and priority of future works projects.  With more accurate cyclical works plans in place, our property management clients are in a stronger position to advise freeholders, leaseholders, management companies and potential purchasers on necessary future expenditure and service charge budgeting.

Commercial property 

Our surveyors are skilled in producing Schedules of Condition and Schedules of Dilapidation at the start and end of commercial property occupation under the terms of leases or licences.  The use of drones has proved invaluable in a number of recent situations, particularly where Full Repairing and Insuring leases have ended and the tenant has failed to maintain the structure of the building.

Party Wall Act work

The use of high level pictures and video footage, before and after proposed works, can provide unequivocable evidence of what has or hasn’t occurred.  This information can form the basis of reports between instructed party wall surveyors.

Want to book a drone survey?  Call us on 01273 227500 or email us.