Drone Roof and Building Inspections in Manchester
Manchester's building stock is a mix of Victorian terraces and mills, converted warehouses in Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, and a wave of new residential towers around the city centre. That range suits a drone survey well: a drone can record a fragile slate roof on a period terrace and the flat roof of a modern block without anyone touching either. The city centre is outside Manchester Airport's Flight Restriction Zone, which covers the airport and parts of Wythenshawe in the south of the city.
What a drone roof inspection covers
Visual and thermal roof surveys for landlords, managing agents, surveyors and developers. Work a drone survey suits in Manchester includes slate and pitched-roof condition checks on Victorian stock, and flat-roof and membrane surveys on warehouse conversions and new-build blocks. The usual deliverable is dated high-resolution stills and video, with thermal added where damp or heat loss is the question.
Local airspace and access
Manchester Airport's Flight Restriction Zone runs from the ground to 2,000 feet at all times over the airport and parts of Wythenshawe, and a drone may only fly inside it with the airport's permission. Barton aerodrome's zone lies to the west, beyond Trafford Park. The city centre, including Ancoats, the Northern Quarter and Spinningfields, is outside both. The one restriction at its edge is the zone around HMP Manchester at Strangeways, near Victoria station, from the ground to 600 feet, so check an address in that corner before booking.
What it costs
A drone roof inspection in Manchester typically runs from around 150 to 500 pounds, depending on the size and height of the building. A written report is usually charged on top, and thermal imaging is quoted per project.
See how charter types and fees work on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a drone survey a warehouse conversion roof?
Yes. Flat and membrane roofs on converted warehouses, like those in Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, suit a drone well, because it records the whole surface without anyone going up onto it.
Is thermal imaging worth adding?
For damp, leaks or heat loss, it can be. A thermal camera shows temperature patterns a visual survey cannot, though reading what a pattern means takes someone trained to do it. Thermal imaging is quoted per project.
Looking for other aerial work in the area? See all drone services in Manchester or learn more about drone roof and building inspections in general.
Roof inspections nearby: North West England
Fly drones for work in Manchester? Terasor is looking for pilots across Greater Manchester. See what a pilot account includes.
Related reading: How to hire a drone pilot and what it costs