Visual Inspections

Visual inspections are one of the most common types of inspections that are performed on a regular basis to determine if a more expert/advanced inspection is needed. They are performed on a wide variety of structures. Some of these include roofs (residential/commercial), towers, bridges, or any other elevated structure.

Having aerial photos of your structure is a great way to document the condition that it is in prior to and after any severe weather that may affect you. It will help you if you have to file a claim with your insurance provider.

Regulatory standards for some industries require that regular inspections be conducted in order to remain compliant with the state laws that oversee them. Insurance companies may require the same for insurability purposes.

In addition to the above, maintenance schedules benefit from visual inspections so that potential problems can be addressed early at a lower maintenance cost. You can also reduce your expenses since the majority of visual inspections can be done with a drone. And don’t forget about the risk of injury/serious injury if someone happens to encounter an issue while at a high elevation or confined space.

Roofing/Solar Panel installation applications

Roofing inspections/roofing site surveys, whether for solar panel placement or a roof replacement, pretty much all look the same: 

• Company agent comes to the property. 

• Measures the roof (if the property owner allows them to get on it) or does an approximation measurement by measuring the base of the property. 

• Looks at the general condition of the entire roof, if possible. 

• Comes back at a later time with a quote. 

• Property owner makes the decision whether or not to accept the quote and have the work done.

• Satellite imagery may be used to assist in measurements. 

• Average time doing a site survey is 1-1.5 hrs. An experienced person may be able to do 3-4 per day.

Even though this system has been used for decades, it is not efficient. Since time is one commodity that we do not have the luxury of extending, your time, and more importantly the property owner’s time, is extremely valuable. 

Think about the downsides to the process above:

• Property owner doesn’t allow you to get on the roof because they are afraid that damage may be done and/or the liability they face if an accident were to happen.

• Measurements may be off for a variety of reasons. This would lead to the estimate being off which will result in 1 of 3 things happening:

  • You “eat” the cost difference.

  • You go back to the customer with a revised quote that they accept but will be very unhappy with you and may not recommend you/give you repeat business.

  • You go back to the customer with a revised quote and they decline in which case you lose their business.  

• Satellite imagery is dated and results in measurements being off (see point above)

• Getting on the roof (if you were lucky to get their approval) may result in damage being done while walking the roof.

• There is a chance that someone could have an accident while doing the site survey. This results in insurance premiums going up (did you know that construction pays the highest out of all industries?) along with the Worker’s Comp claim and possible OSHA fines.

So, how can BGA Aerials help you? Drones! (Check out the residential roof inspection sample pictures)

Here are the benefits of having us help you with our drones:

• No one will fall off a roof/portion of a roof or have any other type of accident.

• No potential damage to the roof as a result of walking on it. We are fully insured in case our drone decides it wants to take a nap on their roof and causes damage.

• Property owner doesn’t have to worry about damage or liability that may result. Think about the impression you’ll make when you ask if we can use the drone to get what’s needed instead of having to climb on the roof! 

• You get 4k video/pictures from all angles of the roof that allows you to see any existing damage and/or condition of the roof along with all the roofing components. You will also get “After” pictures/video for your records and the customers.

• Documentation of the current condition of the roof and condition after the work was completed..

• Geotagged pictures and state-of-the-art software will give you accurate measurements that will allow you to give the most accurate quote to your customer. Accurate quote = not going back to customer with revised quote = more potential sales.

• You can include the pictures with your quote and “wow” them. With 397 GAF certified roofing contractors in the Houston area, make sure you stand out.

• With a total “on site” time of less than 30 minutes for a single family home, it’s possible to complete 5-7 site surveys per day vs 2-4 per day at 1-1.5 hrs each. This could increase your sales dramatically. Commercial properties may take 1 hour depending on the size. 

• Did I mention that no one will fall off a roof/portion of a roof or have any other type of accident?

If you’re a landlord, using a drone to assist you in your regular maintenance schedule will allow you to get faster results while saving you money for all of the same reasons above

Unless you’re going to “swing a hammer”, almost all information gathering tasks can be completed by using a drone. Put your resources to better use and let us gather the information for you.

There are many other applications that the drone can be used for besides the ones mentioned

All photos/videos are taken in 4K resolution unless a lower resolution is requested.

Contact us if you have any questions or if you want to schedule an appointment.

Make sure to read our Flight Information.