Drone for surveying house roof

[jayx73]

Hi I’m looking for a drone to survey my roof before getting some high access Equipment sorted .Are there any recommendations for a cheap drone with a decent camera .

[Murph7355]

I got a DJI Mavic a while back, using the same reason as part of the man maths justification.

Works a treat (though has been barely used).

[The_Jackal]

Mavic mini is your best bet, about 400 quid.
Can be resold on for not much less quite easily.
It will just work with great quality video.

[clockworks]

Contact your local model flying club, and get a club member to take some video for the price of a couple of beers?

[bigandclever]

You can rent them for about 20quid a day.

No affiliation whatsoever with this, just an example .... https://fatllama.com/rentals/london/hire-dji-mavic...

[mph999]

Depending where you live, you may not be able to do this legally.

As per ANO article 95(2) you cannot fly within 50m or people, or within 50m of any vehicle or structure not under your control.

Even with a commercial license I don’t think it can be done.

Yes, you can break the rules, but if it all goes wrong you really don’t want to be on the wrong side of the CAA - they are have started to take this a lot more seriously. The only way I think you could get round this is by using a quad under 250g in weight

[pghstochaj]

mph999 said:

Depending where you live, you may not be able to do this legally.

As per ANO article 95(2) you cannot fly within 50m or people, or within 50m of any vehicle or structure not under your control.

Even with a commercial license I don’t think it can be done.

Yes, you can break the rules, but if it all goes wrong you really don’t want to be on the wrong side of the CAA - they are have started to take this a lot more seriously. The only way I think you could get round this is by using a quad under 250g in weight

He says “his roof” and therefore it’s reasonably safe to assume that the structure is under his control.

[Murph7355]

pghstochaj said:

He says “his roof” and therefore it’s reasonably safe to assume that the structure is under his control.

But is it separated from any of the other bits noted by 50m?

My place is. If someone lives in central London, doubtful.

[Mr-B]

Mini drone from Amazon? Seen them for about £30 for a cheap one, haven't got one so can't tell you if they are any good, e.g.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/4DRC-Beginners-Foldable-Q...

[vaguelyfamiliar]

The issue tends not to be getting the building under control - as you say, it's his building - more securing a 30m clearance for take off and landing that tends to be a challenge in towns and cities

If you're reasonably close to Hatfield, Herts - drop me a pm, I'm PFCO and insured etc. Assuming the flight can be done legally, I'd be happy to pop over send one of mine over - I'd be glad of the flying hours this year

[_Hoppers]

You will need a permission from the CAA to fly within a congested area if your building is in a city, town, village etc. You cannot fly within 150m of a congested area if you don’t have a permission (PFCO etc). This law applies to drones of less than 250g too if it has a camera.

[Phunk]

Easier and less legal faff to stick a camera on a long pole

[jayx73]

Believe me it’s not

[mph999]

_Hoppers said:

... This law applies to drones of less than 250g too if it has a camera.

Yep, I had forgotten that ...

[Pistom]

Just because it isn't legal doesn't mean you can't do it.

Have a word with your neighbours to tell them what you are doing so they don't think you're spying on their 17 year old daughter getting undressed and most are fine with it.

Just don't crash it!

[jayx73]

To be fair the neighbours are ok and would use the drone as we all have the same issue, a group of 5 Mid 50,s houses in a culdesac all need roof work.
No one objects but I assumed a cheap small drone would fall outside the laws

[thebraketester]

I can help if you don't want to buy a drone.

[Phunk]

jayx73 said:

To be fair the neighbours are ok and would use the drone as we all have the same issue, a group of 5 Mid 50,s houses in a culdesac all need roof work.
No one objects but I assumed a cheap small drone would fall outside the laws

Unfortunately any drone with a camera falls in the law.

Which is why I (despite owning a drone and having a PfCO) use a camera on a pole for most roof inspections.

It’ll obviously depend on height and access if it’ll work in your case.

If you do want to go down the drone route, for something which is simple to fly and has ok quality the DJI Mavic Mini is where I would look at. Still £369 to buy but you could then sell it second hand for around £300ish

[andygo]

Phunk said:

Unfortunately any drone with a camera falls in the law.

Which is why I (despite owning a drone and having a PfCO) use a camera on a pole for most roof inspections.

It’ll obviously depend on height and access if it’ll work in your case.

If you do want to go down the drone route, for something which is simple to fly and has ok quality the DJI Mavic Mini is where I would look at. Still £369 to buy but you could then sell it second hand for around £300ish

Or buy a second hand one for £300 ish and flog it for the same?