TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR AERIAL BUILDING SURVEYS

1. We have to abide by the CAA rules for operating and flying UAVs. This includes the maximum height we can fly, what zones we can and cannot fly in and what permissions are required for sensitive locations such as Central London.
2. VLOS:  Visual Line of Sight: Our pilot must maintain a constant line of sight with the drone whilst in the air. This will affect the scope of the aerial survey on medium and large buildings. It may not be practical to fly over and photograph 100% of a large building so in this case we will obtain what photographic data we can and base our Condition Report, where applicable, upon the available data.
3. NATS: For certain locations we must obtain permission from NATS to fly the UAV. This process can take 21 days or more. We will advise you if this is the case with your building and make the necessary application on your behalf.
4. UNINVOLVED PEOPLE: We are not allowed to fly near uninvolved people. This is defined as any person not directly involved in the survey or not advised of the survey and who may chance upon the drone whilst in flight. If there are staff or occupiers in the survey building or on site please advise them in good time of our operation and ask them not to approach the pilot. If the pilot is distracted the UAV will be landed and the operation paused or cancelled.  In congested locations we will employ a "spotter" to assist the pilot. If an aerial survey has to be abandoned due to interference by uninvolved people additional charges may apply for the return visit.
5. THIRD PARTY INSURANCE: We have third-party insurance via Coverdrone. Policy limit is £1M. The CAA minimum requirement is £750,000. If uninvolved people are allowed to interfere with the operation this insurance shall be null and void.
6. PRIVACY: If tenants/occupiers are concerned about their privacy during the operation please advise them to pull their blinds or keep away from windows, etc. Our pilot may have to pause the UAV during photographing but there is no intention to disturb people or pry into their living areas. The UAV does have a noticeable noise whilst in flight.
7. BASIC AERAIL SURVEY: Our basic Aerial Survey includes still photographs only. A 4K video fly-over can be included at additional cost. This usually runs between 1 and 3 minutes depending upon the size of the building or roof. Note that the file size of a 4K video can be hundreds of Mp so delivery by email is not possible. We then offer to deliver to DropBox or WeTransfer at no additional cost.  A Condition Report by a Chartered Building Surveyor can be included at additional cost. This will be based solely upon the photographic data without any physical inspection.
8. RISK ASSESSMENT: We carry out a risk assessment pre-survey based upon desk-top research including Google Earth data. If you know of any health and safety risks please advise us at the time of placing your order.  This would include asbestos or any other harmful material, demolition debris, broken glass, etc., vermin, squatters, nesting birds, overhead wires, dogs, scaffolding, etc. If the building is occupied please confirm.  It is the building owner's, or their appointed agent's, responsibility to ensure that the building or site our pilot visits is safe and secure in all respects. If our pilot deems the location unsafe for any reason the survey shall be aborted without a refund of the initial payment. An up-to-date photo is requested of the building and/or the grounds. Our pilot may access onto a flat roof if it is properly guarded and with safe access from inside the building. Ladder access will not be acceptable.
9. PAYMENT TERMS: We require payment by BACS. Cheques are not accepted. For new clients we request 50% with order and the remainder when we are ready to deliver the data or condition report. Please confirm your full billing details and order reference where applicable. If a third-party, such as a property management company, are responsible for payment please advise pre-survey.
10. WEATHER: The UAV cannot be flown in windy or wet weather. Temperatures of 4 degC or below are also unsuitable. When we set a date for the operation a weather check is made but this can change. If we have to abort due to unsuitable weather no charges shall be made and a new date will be offered.
11. ACCESS: Where a building or site is unoccupied we request to be met on site at the agreed time and date. Please provide the contact name, company and mobile phone number. If we turn up and access is unavailable or delayed by more than one hour we shall charge for our travel costs and time-charge(s) and abort the survey.
12. FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS: The above are our basic T & C. A full copy is available upon request.