Drone Roof Inspection BC — Aerial Imaging Done Right

High resolution aerial imaging of a roof using a remotely operated UAV. Captures images and video of every slope, ridge, valley, and penetration without anyone climbing on the roof. Useful for several scenarios. Steep or dangerous roofs where physical access creates fall hazards. Multi storey or commercial buildings where ladder access is impractical. Pre listing documentation where a complete photographic record adds value. Insurance claims where comprehensive imagery supports the claim. Strata and large property inspections where ground level documentation of every slope speeds the assessment process.

Sometimes yes, often no. Drones excel at visual inspection of conditions visible from above. They cannot inspect underlayment, sheathing condition, attic ventilation, flashing details that are hidden under shingles, or sealant integrity at penetrations that requires close hand inspection. For most residential roofs in good condition, a drone inspection plus ground level supplementary inspection is sufficient. For roofs that show concerning conditions on aerial imagery, physical roof walk follow up is still warranted to verify and document specific defects. Best used as a complement to traditional inspection, not a replacement.

For typical residential property: $250 to $500 standalone. Commercial or strata properties: $500 to $1,500 depending on size and complexity. Premium with thermal imaging adds $200 to $500. Most roofers offering drone inspection bundle it with other services rather than charging separately. Paragon includes drone imagery in our standard inspection scope at no charge for properties where drone access is appropriate. Standalone drone surveys for special use cases (insurance documentation, real estate listings, multi property strata surveys) are billed separately.

Surface temperature variations across the roof. Useful for identifying. Wet insulation showing as cooler areas relative to surrounding dry insulation. Heat loss patterns from inadequate insulation or ventilation. Active leaks where water has cooled the underlying structure. Standing water on flat roofs. Solar panel performance issues. Thermal imaging works best at dawn or dusk when temperature differentials between wet and dry materials are most pronounced. It shows what visible imaging cannot, but interpretation requires experience to distinguish meaningful patterns from harmless temperature variation.

Yes when operated by a certified pilot in compliance with Transport Canada regulations. Commercial drone operations in Canada require certification, registration of the aircraft, compliance with airspace rules, and observation of restricted airspace boundaries (especially near YVR, Boundary Bay, and other controlled airspace). Paragon drone operations are conducted by certified pilots with full Transport Canada compliance. We do not fly in restricted airspace or in conditions that would compromise inspection quality.

Adjusters generally accept clear photographic and video evidence regardless of source, including homeowner taken phone photos, drone footage, or contractor documentation. The credibility of the evidence depends on quality, time stamping, and context, not on who captured it. That said, professional documentation from a certified contractor typically carries more weight in insurance disputes because it includes context and interpretation that homeowner footage often lacks. For straightforward claims where damage is obvious, homeowner drone footage works fine. For contested claims or larger losses, professional documentation is the better investment.

Most drones tolerate light rain, light wind (under 25 to 30 km/h), and overcast conditions. They cannot fly in heavy rain, sustained high wind, or active storms. The Lower Mainland is workable for drone inspection most of the year, with weather window scheduling required during October to March atmospheric river season and during Fraser Valley summer thunderstorm activity. We schedule drone inspection during favourable weather windows and use traditional ground level inspection during conditions when drone work is unsafe or would produce poor imagery.

Yes. Strata properties benefit substantially from drone imagery during pre replacement assessment, depreciation report input phase, and ongoing maintenance documentation. A single drone flight can document every slope of a 50 unit townhouse complex in 1 to 2 hours, producing a complete photographic record suitable for council records and insurance documentation. We integrate drone imagery into strata bid presentations and AGM presentations on request.

Single residential property: 30 to 60 minutes on site for the flight, plus another 1 to 3 hours of post processing for stitched panoramic imagery and inspection annotation. Strata complex: 2 to 4 hours on site for flights covering all buildings, plus 4 to 8 hours of post processing. Commercial property depending on size: 1 to 4 hours on site. Same day inspection with delivered written report typically takes 2 to 5 business days for residential, longer for commercial and strata work.

Yes. We provide raw imagery and video to property owners as part of the inspection deliverable. The inspection report adds professional interpretation. Some property owners want both. Some want just the report and skip the raw imagery. Either is fine. The imagery becomes part of your property record either way and can be useful for future reference, insurance claim support, or pre listing documentation.