What is a drone building inspection?
We fly a careful, controlled pattern around the building and capture every elevation in high-resolution photos and smooth video. You get a link to an online gallery, including close-ups of the high-level details that are hard to see from the ground, plus video of the building.
That gives your surveyor, architect or contractor a clear, dated view of the whole exterior, so they can look at the building in detail from their desk instead of booking scaffold or an access platform just to see it.
We capture the imagery; your surveyor, engineer or contractor makes the assessment. We are CAA-qualified drone operators, not chartered surveyors, and surveyors often use our photos and video to write their own reports.
Façade surveys
For a more detailed record, a façade survey captures each elevation in turn: cladding, windows, brickwork, stonework and render. Façade surveys are quoted per job, as the time needed depends on the size of the building.
A façade survey gives your engineers and safety team detailed imagery to plan from. It is imagery only, not a cladding, fire safety or EWS1-type assessment.
What you receive
- Online photo gallery, including close-ups
- Video of the building
- Files in 2 to 3 days, always within 5 working days
- Optional measurable 3D model, from £400 + VAT
Who it's for
- Building surveyors
- Architects and designers
- Facilities and estates managers
- Housing associations
- Schools, colleges and campuses
- Churches and heritage owners
- Contractors pricing repairs
Why use a drone
- No scaffold, cherry picker or rope access just to look
- Nobody working at height for the inspection
- Plan access and repairs from a desk
- A dated record to compare against later
- Evidence for insurance claims and planning applications
- Heritage buildings recorded without scaffold touching historic fabric
Proof
Trusted on buildings that matter
Our building and heritage work includes the National Trust at Charlecote Park, Grove Street Church, St Chad's Church in Lichfield and Denstone College, alongside large construction clients such as Prologis, Gilbert Ash and Galliford Try.
How it works
From first call to finished files.
Enquiry & quote
Tell us the site address and what you need. We send a fixed quote.
Checks & dates
Site access and flight restrictions checked, dates agreed, often with a backup date.
Capture
A risk assessment on the day, then a careful, controlled flight.
Process
Photos, video and 3D models processed and checked before release.
Deliver
Shareable links and files within 5 working days, often in 2 to 3. Invoice on delivery, 30-day terms.
CAA qualified
GVC, Operational Authorisation in the Specific category, and A2 CofC.
Insured
£5m public liability insurance plus professional indemnity.
Experienced
30 years in photography and flying drones since 2015.
Nationwide
Based in Lichfield, working across the Midlands and the UK.
FAQs
Drone building inspections, answered.
Still got a question? Call Mark on 07866 522549.
What does a drone building inspection include?
You get a link to an online gallery of high-resolution photos of the whole exterior, including close-ups of walls, windows, gutters, chimneys and other high-level details, plus video of the building. Files are delivered in 2 to 3 days, and always within 5 working days.
How much does a drone building inspection cost?
Building inspections start from around £300 + VAT. Larger sites, multiple buildings and detailed façade surveys are quoted per job. You always get a fixed price before we fly, and mileage may be added for jobs outside the local area.
Do you write the inspection report?
No. We capture the imagery and your surveyor, engineer or contractor makes the assessment. We are CAA-qualified drone operators, not chartered surveyors, and we regularly work alongside surveyors who use our photos and video for their own reports.
Can you inspect listed buildings and churches?
Yes. A drone records towers, spires, roofs and stonework without scaffold touching the historic fabric, and gives you a permanent digital record. Our heritage work includes Grove Street Church, St Chad's Church in Lichfield and the National Trust at Charlecote Park.
Is a façade survey a cladding or fire safety assessment?
No. A façade survey gives your engineers and safety team detailed photos and video of each elevation to plan from. It is imagery only, not a cladding, fire safety or EWS1-type assessment.
Can you inspect a school or college during term time?
Yes. We normally fly outside school hours, or while students are in class inside the buildings, and agree the timing with you in advance.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We can't fly in rain or high wind. We watch the forecast, often agree a backup date up front, and let you know before we travel if the date needs to move.
Related services
Often booked together.
Get a quote
Talk to Mark about your building.
Share the site address and what you need. Mark will come back with the right approach and a fixed price, usually within one working day. Prefer to talk? Call 07866 522549.
- Phone
- 07866 522549
- mark@markzaccariaphotography.co.uk
- Based
- Lichfield, Staffordshire
- Member
- Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce