Frequently Asked Questions

Costs depend on building size, inspection type, and report requirements. Typical ranges: residential properties $300-$800, small commercial buildings $800-$2,000, mid-rise buildings $2,000-$5,000, and high-rise buildings $5,000-$15,000. This is typically 40-60% less than equivalent scaffold-based inspections. Contact us for a custom quote.

Every inspection includes: FAA-compliant drone flight operations, high-resolution RGB imagery of all accessible surfaces, AI-powered defect detection and classification, a PE-certified inspection report with annotated imagery, defect maps, severity ratings, and repair recommendations. Thermal imaging is included in our standard and comprehensive packages.

Drone inspection delivers ROI in three ways: (1) direct cost savings of 40-60% versus scaffolding or rope access, (2) early detection of problems that cost 5-10x more to repair if left unaddressed, and (3) documentation that supports insurance claims and compliance requirements. For portfolio owners, the cumulative savings across multiple buildings are substantial.

Yes. Portfolio inspections of 3+ buildings receive volume pricing. Multi-building programs also benefit from optimized scheduling (inspecting multiple nearby buildings on the same deployment) and year-over-year comparison tracking at no additional cost.

Drone inspection costs are often recoverable as part of insurance claims when the inspection documents storm damage or other covered losses. Some property insurance policies also offer premium credits for buildings with regular inspection programs. Check with your carrier for specific coverage terms.

We operate commercial-grade inspection drones equipped with stabilized gimbals, high-resolution cameras (42+ megapixels), and radiometric thermal sensors. Our fleet includes multi-rotor platforms optimized for close-proximity building inspection with redundant safety systems including obstacle avoidance and dual GPS.

Thermal imaging detects temperature differences on building surfaces that indicate: hidden moisture trapped in roofs and walls, insulation failures or gaps, air infiltration and leakage points, active water leaks, HVAC performance issues, electrical hotspots, and subsurface delamination in concrete. These problems are invisible to standard cameras.

Our AI models are trained on hundreds of thousands of building defect images. They analyze every captured image to detect, classify, and measure defects including cracks, spalling, membrane damage, rust staining, sealant failures, and vegetation growth. AI catches defects across hundreds of images that manual review might miss, and it provides consistent, objective classification.

Our inspection cameras achieve 3 cm/pixel resolution or better at typical flight distances. This means individual cracks as narrow as 1mm can be detected in the imagery. For reference, this is comparable to holding a professional camera 10 feet from the surface — but achieved across the entire building exterior.

Yes. Using photogrammetry (overlapping photographs from multiple angles), we can generate georeferenced 3D models of buildings. These models enable precise measurements, volume calculations, and visual documentation that supports engineering analysis, renovation planning, and record-keeping.

Florida Senate Bill 4-D (SB-4D) requires milestone structural inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings three stories or taller. Buildings within 3 miles of the coast must complete their first inspection at 25 years after certificate of occupancy; all others at 30 years. Phase 1 is a visual inspection. If deterioration is found, Phase 2 requires detailed testing. Follow-up inspections are required every 10 years.

Drone inspection can serve as a powerful tool within the SB-4D process, but the milestone inspection must be conducted by or under the supervision of a licensed Florida PE (Professional Engineer) or architect. Our PE-certified reports are designed to meet SB-4D documentation requirements. The supervising engineer determines the appropriate inspection methodology, which increasingly includes drone technology.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties require structural and electrical recertification for buildings at 40 years of age and every 10 years thereafter. This predates SB-4D and remains in effect alongside it. The recertification requires a licensed engineer or architect to certify the structural and electrical safety of the building.

Yes. All our pilots hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates, which is the federal requirement for commercial drone operations. We also maintain all required waivers for operations near airports, over people, and at night. Our operations comply with all applicable FAA regulations.

Yes. We carry $5 million in general liability insurance specifically covering drone operations. This is important because many building owners, HOAs, and property management companies require proof of insurance before allowing drone flights on their properties. Certificates of insurance are provided upon request.

Minimal preparation is needed. We ask that you: (1) notify building occupants of the scheduled inspection date, (2) ensure roof access is available if interior access is needed, (3) confirm any site-specific safety requirements or access restrictions, and (4) provide any existing building plans or previous inspection reports if available. Our team handles all FAA airspace coordination.

You receive a PE-certified report including: executive summary with key findings, annotated high-resolution imagery with defect markers, thermal overlays showing moisture and energy patterns, a defect map showing locations and severity ratings, quantified metrics (areas affected, crack lengths, etc.), repair recommendations prioritized by urgency, and a capital planning timeline for non-urgent items.

Standard turnaround is 24 hours from the completion of flight operations. Expedited same-day reports are available for emergency situations such as post-storm assessments or imminent compliance deadlines. Complex buildings with extensive findings may require 48 hours for thorough engineering review.

Yes. We maintain flight records and report archives for all inspected properties. Subsequent inspections can be directly compared to previous ones, tracking the progression or resolution of identified defects. This year-over-year comparison is invaluable for maintenance planning and demonstrating compliance progress.

Both options are available. We can deliver PE-certified reports using our licensed structural engineers, or we can provide raw data and analysis to your existing engineering team. Many clients prefer our full-service option for convenience, while some engineering firms engage us specifically for the drone data capture and AI analysis.

Yes. Drones fly at a safe distance from building surfaces (typically 10-30 feet) and never enter occupied spaces. Our commercial-grade drones have redundant safety systems including obstacle avoidance sensors, dual GPS, and automatic return-to-home if signal is lost. All operations follow strict safety protocols.

Our inspection cameras are focused on building surfaces — walls, roofs, and structural elements — not interiors. Flight paths are planned to minimize views into windows. Thermal cameras detect surface temperatures only and cannot see through glass or walls. We comply with all applicable privacy regulations and can work with building management to address resident concerns.

Drone inspections require: wind speeds below 25 mph, no active precipitation (rain, snow, hail), visibility of at least 3 statute miles, and cloud ceilings above flight altitude. In Florida, we typically schedule flights in morning hours to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Thermal inspections are best performed during temperature transitions (early morning or evening).

If weather conditions are unsuitable on the scheduled date, we reschedule at no additional cost. Our scheduling system monitors forecasts and we proactively communicate any anticipated changes. For urgent inspections, we maintain flexible scheduling to deploy within the first available weather window.

Yes, with proper authorization. Many Florida buildings are within controlled airspace near airports. Our team obtains all required FAA authorizations (LAANC or manual airspace waivers) before every flight. This is a standard part of our pre-flight planning process and does not affect pricing.