Drone Inspections

Signet Home Inspections

Drone Inspections

Drone inspections allow us to inspect areas of a residential or commercial structure that would otherwise be inaccessible. Whether it’s a roof that cannot be mounted or the exterior cladding on a multi-story building that is visibly out-of-reach, our drone inspections have proven to be an invaluable tool identifying defects otherwise unknown.

Does a commercial drone pilot need to be certified?
Yes, the FAA requires an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilot to be certified. For those only planning to fly a drone recreationally, no certification is required under Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the Section 333 exemption, or any other kind of UAS certification. To operate commercially however, where “commercial” describes any flight operation that can be tied to economic benefit, certification with the FAA is required. The FAA small drone rule became effective August 29, 2016 which eased the restrictions on UAS use for businesses by creating an FAA-issued “UAS Operator Certificate” which although does not require an actual pilot’s license, does requires FAA approved training and testing. At Signet Home Inspections, our drone pilots are in fact FAA certified with the experience needed to get the job done.

Are special types of drones required for commercial work?
No special requirements presently exist for commercial drones but it only makes sense that the commercially used drone be capable of high-resolution video and photography. Our drones employ an uprated camera equipped with a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K/60fps video and burst mode stills at 14 fps. An advanced 3-axis gimbal takes out unwanted vibration and movement in-flight, enabling the camera to capture smooth and fluid footage even during complex maneuvers. Note: As of December 21, 2015, any drone weighing more than 0.55 lbs / 250g, must be registered with the FAA as are all drones used by Signet Home Inspections.

What liability is associated with drone inspections?
Let’s face it, in this day and age there is always liability should something go wrong no matter what you are doing especially if you are not qualified to do so. That is why all Signet Home Inspections are conducted by Certified Professional Inspectors® trained and accredited in the inspection type they are performing. In addition, we don’t just carry general liability insurance like some other companies but have additional riders that cover every service we offer including our drone inspections. This of course is of utmost importance considering all parties involved and who could be adversely affected should something go wrong.

Roof and exterior cladding drone inspections – when a ladder won’t do.
The video below features a Signet Home Inspections drone roof inspection conducted by FAA certified UAS pilot and Certified Professional Inspector® Cole Temple. This particular roof was not practical to mount and inspect but with this drone video inspection, we were able to pinpoint several deficiencies and include the appropriate still images in the home inspection report provided to the potential buyer. Had we not provided this service, these deficiencies would have gone unnoticed until they manifested themselves as roof leaks causing untold damage.

“To provide an excellent inspection and exceed your expectations in every way” Our goal is simple to state…but takes hard work each and every day to deliver. And deliver we do!