23 Jan, 2019/ by Surveyor Local /Guides, Survey types
If you are planning to buy a property and want to take out a survey, RICS professionals can use drones fitted with cameras as part of the tools available to assess the structural integrity of a building.
What is a drone?
Technically termed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone is a device flown either by remote control from the ground or via software to control its flight path. Most drones have one or more cameras mounted on the body, which film where they are pointed.
Because they are regarded as airborne vehicles, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) treats the person operating the machine as the pilot. The CAA has strict rules on how drone surveying may be carried out, with safety as the primary concern.
Do surveyors use drones?
Yes. Drone surveying has become a practical approach for property inspections, particularly when assessing parts of a building that are difficult or unsafe to access by other means.
Before this technology was available, a ladder or binoculars from a suitable vantage point were the only options. Neither approach gives the close-up detail that a drone camera can provide.
All RICS members follow the guidelines laid down by the CAA at all times. If the property is not in a congested zone, drone surveys can proceed as long as the machine remains visible. For congested areas, plans must be lodged with the CAA and official permission obtained before flying.
How is a drone used in a building survey?
Where a RICS Level 3 Survey requires a detailed inspection of a roof or chimney stack, drone surveys can reach those sections safely and efficiently.
The drone captures continuous video or still photographs, and the data gathered can be reviewed in real time or after the flight. After an initial pass over the sections under inspection, specific points of concern can be revisited for a closer look.
Some drones are also fitted with small spotlights to illuminate shadowed sections such as eaves that would otherwise be difficult to assess.
Drone surveying gives clients the most detailed view of a property's condition. The data collected during a drone survey, images, video footage and annotated reports, means buyers get accurate information to help them decide whether to proceed, pull out or renegotiate the price.
Like moisture meters and other traditional surveying tools, or AI-assisted techniques increasingly used in surveying, drone technology is an additional resource rather than a replacement for a thorough on-the-ground inspection.
Types of drone survey inspection
Drone surveys are particularly useful for property surveying projects where access is limited or where height makes manual inspection impractical. Common inspections include:
- roof condition, including tiles, flashings and ridge lines
- chimney stacks and pots
- guttering and downpipes at height
- upper floor external walls and pointing
- flat roof sections that are not safely accessible
- eaves and soffits
Beyond residential properties, drone surveying services are also used in construction projects, where regular inspections of large structures form part of the project workflow. Clients on commercial or development projects often find drone survey services more cost-effective than traditional access methods such as scaffolding.
The data collected through drone surveys can also be used to produce 3D models and detailed site maps, making these services valuable for large-scale land surveying and construction projects.
Get a survey quote
Surveyor Local works with RICS chartered surveyors across England and Wales. Whether your survey requires drone inspection or not, the right tools are used for every property to give you the most complete picture before you buy.
Get a no-obligation quote online or call our team on .