Question 1

What makes Altitude different from other drone operators?

Accepted Answer

We are led by a Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS) with over 10 years of on-site experience. Most drone operators can fly — what they cannot do is tell you what they are looking at. Every survey we conduct is assessed and reported by a qualified surveyor, not just a pilot. You receive a report you can act on immediately, not just raw footage.

Question 2

Do you operate across the whole of the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are based in the UK and operate nationally. Travel is included within our quoted rates for most locations. For remote sites or overseas projects, please contact us to discuss mobilisation costs.

Question 3

How quickly can you mobilise?

Accepted Answer

For most standard inspections, we can be on site within 24–48 hours of instruction, subject to weather and airspace requirements. We regularly accommodate tight due diligence windows for pre-acquisition surveys. Get in touch to discuss your timeline.

Question 4

Do you subcontract any work?

Accepted Answer

No. Every survey is personally conducted and reported by our director. We do not use junior operators or subcontractors. When you instruct Altitude, you get the same qualified, experienced person on every job.

Question 5

Are you CAA authorised?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All flights are conducted under CAA Operational Authorisation, which requires an accepted operations manual, qualified remote pilots, and appropriate insurance. We manage all regulatory compliance — airspace notifications, ATZ requests, NOTAM filings — as part of every engagement.

Question 6

What insurance do you carry?

Accepted Answer

We carry £5m public liability insurance as standard on every engagement. This is a requirement for most commercial site work and is well above the minimum required by the CAA. We can provide a certificate of insurance on request.

Question 7

Do I need planning permission for a drone survey?

Accepted Answer

For most survey work conducted over private property with the landowner's consent, no planning permission is required. As a CAA-authorised operator, we manage all regulatory compliance. You simply need to confirm you have appropriate authority to commission the survey.

Question 8

Can you fly near airports or in restricted airspace?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with advance planning. Operations near aerodromes require ATZ permission and advance notification, which we manage on your behalf. We will advise at the quoting stage if a site has airspace restrictions and what the lead time implications are.

Question 9

How long does a drone roof inspection take?

Accepted Answer

Most residential and small commercial inspections are completed within 1–2 hours on site. Large commercial or industrial roofs typically take 2–4 hours. Report delivery is usually within 24–48 hours of the survey.

Question 10

What do I receive after an inspection?

Accepted Answer

You receive a full HD image set, video footage, and a written report authored by a chartered building surveyor — not just raw footage. We flag defects, note areas of concern, and recommend remediation where appropriate.

Question 11

Can you inspect a roof in bad weather?

Accepted Answer

We fly in dry conditions with adequate visibility. High winds or rain will cause us to reschedule, and we always advise clients in advance. This ensures image quality is maintained and the survey is genuinely useful.

Question 12

Can you survey a building I don't own?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided you have appropriate authorisation — for example, as a buyer's surveyor, managing agent, or leaseholder with inspection rights. We regularly work with firms such as Savills and Knight Frank on pre-acquisition and condition surveys.

Question 13

What accuracy can you achieve with orthomosaic mapping?

Accepted Answer

With ground control points, we achieve 2–3 cm horizontal accuracy and 3–5 cm vertical accuracy — suitable for planning submissions, land registry boundary matters, and construction setting-out.

Question 14

What file formats do you deliver?

Accepted Answer

We deliver GeoTIFF orthomosaics, digital elevation models, point clouds (.las / .laz), and contour data in DXF or shapefile formats. We agree output requirements with you before the survey.

Question 15

How large a site can you map in one visit?

Accepted Answer

We can map several hundred hectares in a single day, depending on site complexity and airspace constraints. For very large sites, we plan a multi-day programme.

Question 16

Can orthomosaic maps be used for planning applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Georeferenced aerial maps are accepted by local planning authorities for site location plans, topographic surveys, and landscape context assessments. We can produce outputs formatted to your planning consultant's requirements.

Question 17

How often do you visit for construction monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Typically weekly or fortnightly, but we can tailor frequency to your project timeline and budget. Some clients opt for monthly visits for long-programme infrastructure projects.

Question 18

Can monitoring footage be used in a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Time-stamped aerial footage provides objective, unambiguous evidence of site conditions and construction sequence — invaluable in contractor disputes, extension of time claims, or insurance matters.

Question 19

Can we view footage remotely?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We upload footage to a secure cloud platform accessible to your team and stakeholders. You can view, download, and share progress imagery without contacting us each time.

Question 20

How quickly will we receive footage after a shoot?

Accepted Answer

Standard turnaround is 48 hours from the shoot date. Next-day expedited delivery is available on request. We provide files in formats ready for direct upload to major property portals including Rightmove and Zoopla.

Question 21

Do you provide editing and colour grading?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All video footage is professionally edited and colour graded. Photography is HDR processed and retouched. We don't deliver raw files — everything is production-ready.

Question 22

Can you do twilight or blue-hour shoots?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Twilight shoots require advance planning around sunset times and are weather dependent. They are particularly effective for high-value residential and hospitality properties.

Frequently asked questions.

General

Regulations & Insurance

Roof & Building Inspections

Orthomosaic Mapping

Construction Monitoring

Real Estate & Marketing

Still have a question?