Drone Façade & Building Envelope Inspections

Façade & Building Envelope Inspections

Detailed Visual Inspection: High resolution imagery provides clear evidence of current conditions, from weathering to structural concerns.

  1. Thermal Imaging Analysis: Identify heat leaks or insulation failures unseen by the naked eye with precise thermal imaging techniques.

  2. 3D Mapping & Modeling: Create accurate 3D models for better analysis and planning during renovation projects or condition monitoring over time.

  3. Custom Reports & Analytics: Receive tailored reports highlighting critical findings with actionable insights based on comprehensive data analysis.

Close-up of brick wall with a crack circled in red and labeled 17, above a window.
Civil 3D Layout of Orthofacade

Orthofacade in Autodesk (Autocad or Civil 3D) Drawings

How It Works:

From initial consultation to final report delivery:

  1. Schedule a Consultation: Discuss your needs with our team so we can design a plan around your requirements. This includes drone payload selection to site and safety planning. We discuss the many deliverables that can be provided, from centimeter-level scaled drawings that can be delivered in Civil 3D with real world measurements, to high-resolution grid photos and cloud-based viewing options.

  2. Public notice of work: All drone facade inspections require written notices from building management to be posted for all residence and building occupants at least 2 weeks prior to the planned drone inspection. Written notice must include the date, time window and information about closing blinds and window coverings to all exterior windows for the duration of the inspection.

  3. On-site Execution: Our drones are carefully operated around your property capturing all necessary data. Some areas may require hand-held instruments to capture data where it is not feasible or safe to operate our drones.

  4. Window Cropping: Once all images have been captured, our team first automates the window cropping process, which crops out all exterior windows from images, ensuring privacy for all building occupants.

  5. In-depth Analysis: Our team analyzes footage using advanced software tools generating insightful findings.

  6. Report Delivery: Gain access to detailed reports accompanied by high-definition photos/videos pinpointing identified issues.

Why Choose our Drone Facade Inspections?

  • Unmatched Precision: We utilize high-resolution camera and LiDAR sensors to capture even the smallest of details. Combined with our GPS and RTK enabled drones, the accuracy we maintain in our data collection is within a few centimeters.

  • Enhanced Safety: Safely inspect hard-to-reach areas without risking human lives, making it an indispensable tool for tall buildings, complex structures, or hazardous environments.

  • Cost Efficiency: Reduce scaffolding and manpower costs significantly by deploying drones capable of covering extensive areas swiftly.

  • Time-Saving: Complete thorough inspections within hours instead of days or weeks, minimizing downtime for maintenance or repair works.

Ideal Applications

Our drone inspection services are perfect for various structures including skyscrapers, residential complexes, historical monuments, bridges—and essentially any construction requiring meticulous exterior examination.

FAQ’s

What issues can a drone facade inspection identify? +
We document cracks, spalling, delamination, efflorescence, failed sealants, loose or displaced cladding, corrosion, water ingress patterns, and thermal anomalies indicating moisture or insulation defects.
How close can you get to the building safely? +
With an experienced pilot and optical zoom payloads, we capture sub-millimetre detail from a safe standoff distance. For highly sensitive areas, we plan close approaches with obstacle sensing and horizontal geofencing to maintain safety margins.
Do you provide thermal imaging for building envelope diagnostics? +
Yes. We can capture radiometric thermal imagery to highlight heat loss, wet insulation, and air/water infiltration patterns. Thermal captures are scheduled under suitable environmental conditions to ensure reliable interpretation.
What deliverables do we receive? +
High-resolution annotated image sets, condition maps, elevation sheets with defect callouts, optional orthomosaic elevations, and a PDF report. We can also supply CAD or GIS files (DWG, SHP, GeoPackage) and organized photo folders keyed by grid or elevation.
Can drone inspections replace swing stages or rope access? +
Drones reduce cost and risk for initial assessments and routine monitoring. For intrusive testing or repairs, rope access or swing stages may still be required. Our maps and callouts help target those areas precisely.
How do you ensure accuracy and repeatability? +
We use repeatable flight plans, fixed camera geometry, ground references, and consistent lighting where possible. For measured outputs, we can add control targets or use surveyed references to align image sets for change detection.
What about permits, airspace, and safety around the public? +
We handle NAV CANADA coordination, municipal permissions where required, and site safety plans. Operations include cordoned ground areas, observers when needed, and compliance with Transport Canada RPAS regulations.
What is the typical turnaround time? +
Most single-building projects are flown in a few hours with reports delivered in 3–7 business days, depending on scope, thermal requirements, and the level of documentation requested.

Get in touch.