Aerial Building Inspections: What Facility Managers Need to Know Now
Facility managers are under more pressure than ever to keep properties safe, compliant, and cost-effective. From aging structures to tight budgets, making smart decisions about building maintenance is critical. That’s where aerial building inspections come in.
At AeroSpect, we help managers move away from outdated methods like scaffolding and rope access by offering faster, safer, and more accurate inspections with drones. Here’s what you need to know.
Making Smarter Decisions for Building Maintenance
Today’s property management is data-driven. Whether you’re overseeing one building or an entire portfolio, you need clear visuals, detailed records, and reliable information to guide your maintenance plan. Aerial building inspections deliver all three.
By using drones, we collect high-quality data from rooftops, facades, and other hard-to-reach areas in a fraction of the time it takes to use traditional methods. You no longer need to wait days for scaffolding setup or put crews at risk just to assess exterior conditions. Our process helps you act faster and allocate resources more effectively.
What Aerial Building Inspections Actually Involve
When you schedule a drone inspection with AeroSpect, we start with basic project details—such as the location and areas of interest. Our certified in-house pilots then fly over the site and capture high-resolution images of the entire building envelope.
The final deliverables vary based on your needs. In most cases, we provide orthomosaic maps, zoomable photo sets, and optional 3D models. We also offer LIDAR scanning and thermal imaging when projects require deeper analysis. Every image is geo-tagged for easy reference and aligned to real-world coordinates.
The AeroSpect Approach
We’ve worked on hundreds of buildings since 2018, including high-profile landmarks across New York City. Our pilots are FAA-certified and authorized to operate in complex urban airspace. Every job is backed by $10 million in aerial liability insurance.
We understand that each facility manager operates differently. That’s why we customize our deliverables to match your workflow—whether you need images formatted for CAD systems, annotated visuals for engineers, or simple reports for insurance documentation. You can also choose between cloud-based access through our secure Web Portal or offline delivery via hard drive.
Time and Cost Savings: Real Numbers, Real Impact
One of the biggest benefits of aerial building inspections and examinations is speed. Traditional inspections using scaffolding or lifts can take several days and require significant site coordination. With drones, most inspections are completed in just a few hours—with minimal disruption to building tenants or nearby pedestrians.
This speed also reduces labor costs and avoids additional fees for road closures or permit applications. You spend less time managing vendors and more time reviewing actionable data. And since you don’t need to block off access to building entrances or sidewalks, daily operations can continue without delay.
Data You Can Actually Use
Facility managers often struggle to turn raw inspection data into something useful. We solve that problem by organizing the data into easy-to-use formats.
The AeroSpect Web Portal allows you to browse photos, make annotations, and collaborate with your team from any device. You can zoom in on problem areas, mark defects, and export the files to share with vendors, engineers, or insurers. We also support CAD integration, so your data works with your existing tools.
This streamlined access means you can make faster decisions, track repair progress over time, and maintain better records for compliance or budgeting purposes.
Safety and Liability: Mitigating Risk
Safety is a major concern in building maintenance. Traditional inspections put workers at height and expose them to physical hazards. They can also raise liability concerns if something goes wrong on site.
Aerial building inspections remove much of that risk. Our drones collect data from a safe distance, keeping workers on the ground and reducing exposure to dangerous conditions. Because our pilots are licensed and insured, your team avoids taking on additional liability. You gain peace of mind knowing the work is being done correctly and professionally.
Remote Access = Operational Flexibility
One key advantage of drone inspections is the ability to review data from anywhere. During restricted-access periods, like COVID lockdowns, this was especially important. Even now, being able to view your building remotely helps save time and reduce the need for unnecessary site visits.
Our inspections require no scaffolding, lifts, or on-site interaction with your team. This makes it easier to stay on schedule and reduces planning time. You get the results you need without putting additional stress on your staff.
Next Steps: Getting Started with AeroSpect
If you’re ready to make the switch to aerial building inspections, we’ve made it easy to get started. All we need is the location of the building and elevation drawings if available. These details help us plan the most efficient flight path and collect the best data possible.
To schedule a consultation or request a sample project, reach out to AeroSpect at info@aerospectny.com or call 718-551-3363. We’ll walk you through your options and help you choose the right solution for your property.
At AeroSpect, we make inspections simpler, safer, and more effective. Let us help you take a smarter approach to building maintenance.