The Role of Drones within Building Surveying

At Munday & Cramer, we’ve incorporated drone surveys into our building surveying services, and the benefits for our clients have been unprecedented. Here’s why drone surveys are becoming an essential tool in modern building inspection.

1. Enhanced Safety

The primary advantage of drone surveys is safety. Traditional roof inspections require surveyors to work at height, often on unstable or deteriorating surfaces. This presents obvious risks, particularly when inspecting:

• Fragile roof coverings
• Steep-pitched roofs
• High-level commercial buildings
• Structures with limited safe access points

Drone surveys eliminate these risks as a whole. Our surveyors can inspect roofs, chimneys, and hard to reach areas without needing to climb ladders or work at dangerous heights. This is particularly valuable when inspecting schools, churches, and historic buildings where access may be complicated or restricted.

2. Cost-Effective Inspections

Drone surveys often prove more affordable than traditional methods. Consider the typical costs involved in high-level inspections:

• Scaffolding hire
• Cherry picker rental
• Additional surveyor time for complex access
• Health and safety planning for work at height

A drone survey eliminates most of these expenses. What might have required expensive access equipment and extended site time can often be completed in a fraction of the time and cost.

3. Speed and Efficiency

Time is essential, particularly for educational clients or when urgent assessments are needed. Drone surveys dramatically reduce inspection time:

• A roof that might take hours to inspect via traditional methods can be surveyed in 30-60 minutes
• No time lost waiting for scaffolding approval or equipment hire
• Immediate image review allows surveyors to identify areas requiring closer inspection
• Faster turnaround on survey reports means quicker decision-making for clients

At Munday & Cramer, we use drones as part of a comprehensive surveying approach. Where detailed physical inspection is required, we combine drone surveys with traditional methods to provide complete assessments.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a homeowner considering a purchase, a school planning roof repairs, or a business managing a commercial property portfolio, drone surveys can provide valuable insights into your building’s condition.

Contact Munday & Cramer on 01245 326200 to discuss how drone surveys could benefit your next building inspection.