Drone Surveys

This solution can be a little more cost effective however you still need access for the lorry to carry the machinery, there is also potential for not having ground space for the device to fit in. You still need to do a risk assessment and would have to wait for the delivery and collection. Scissor lifts and cherry pickers are also rather costly to hire and require an operator and it’s a problem if you don’t have anywhere to park them for collection. So even though the time taken to survey the site is less it’s still potentially several days to complete.

Both options above are very costly, can be delayed either during, before or after depending on the weather and both of the above alternatives will only get you up on the roof. You still need roof crawler boards to get around when you’re up there.

A drone survey can be performed almost at the drop of a hat. Permission to film on site with a drone is required but that is simple to get. Then checking the weather forecast for a mild day (rain or high wind need to be avoided but gentle non-gusty winds are fine as the drone is stabilised) and you're all booked in.

Using a drone not only takes away the huge planning needs and construction costs of scaffolding and the hire costs of the cherry picker. It also takes way less time to do the survey and the quality is perfect for this type of scenario.

It's also good to mention at this point that we are fully PfCO (C.A.A. Permission for Commercial Operations) compliant.

Whichever infrastructure based type of physical surveying process is chosen (scaffolding, scissor lift or drone), the physical survey is only the first part of the survey itself. There is also the survey report and any potential drawings that may be required to be created. These documents also add a certain figure to the cost and to the time taken to complete the survey.