Drone window survey
Close-up imagery of every window, frame and seal on your building, captured from the air without scaffolding or work at height.
Available Files: 4K Imagery, Thermal & Measurements
400ft
Max Flight Height
None
Access Required
48hr
Imagery Delivery
0
Days of Scaffold
Window Survey & Inspection
You could be thinking of a window survey for a variety of reasons. It could be part of your regular maintenance plan, your windows could be old and tired, or you may be upgrading for aesthetic reasons or to improve your building’s carbon footprint. Whatever the reason, Drone Site Surveys can help.
We regularly carry out commercial window surveys on tall buildings, and we also carry out domestic window surveys, usually as part of our thermal survey package.
Our drones capture images from angles that were previously impossible to achieve. Using RTK drones, we can also take highly accurate measurements, which are a great guide for pricing. If you are replacing your windows, always consult your window supplier before manufacture.
Example Image Quality
Click each image to view example image quality
What Your Window Survey Includes
Every window survey is issued as a complete, organised record of your building’s glazing that you can share with your window supplier, contractors or your own team.
| Deliverable | What it is | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 4K window imagery | Close-up stills of every window, frame, opener and seal, geotagged and date-stamped. | Standard |
| Organised by elevation | Images sorted into colour-coded folders by elevation, so you can pinpoint any window at a glance. | Standard |
| Survey paperwork | Your RAMS, airspace map and pre-flight documents, filed alongside the imagery. | Standard |
| Secure delivery | Your own folder on our client portal, with links you can share with your window supplier or contractors. | Standard |
| RTK measurements | Highly accurate measurements from our RTK drones, ideal as a guide for pricing replacement windows. | Optional |
Measurements are a guide for pricing. If you are replacing windows, always consult your window supplier and confirm measurements on-site before manufacture.
At a Glance
Max flight height
400ft (32–36 storeys)
Access required
Usually none
Imagery issued
Within 48 hours
Measurements
RTK accurate
Scaffold needed
None
Coverage
Mainland UK
Get a Quote
Send us an address. We will come back the same working day with a price and a scope.
Windows Affect Energy Rating
It’s important to survey your windows and doors at regular intervals. As an example, uPVC windows generally have an expected lifespan of 25 years, although with or without maintenance this can range between 10 and 35 years.
Windows and doors are the only moving parts protecting the inside of your building from the elements, and they are directly exposed to rain, wind, snow and anything else nature can throw at them. Over time, every part of a window can degrade and fail, and usually at different times:
- Frames
- Glass panes & sealed units
- Openers
- Seals
- uPVC, metal & timber frames
- Single, double & triple glazing
As soon as any degradation starts, your energy loss goes up, your heating bills go up and your carbon footprint increases.
Prevention is better than cure
A regular window survey lets you stop and remediate problems before they turn into larger ones, saving time, money and carbon.
Safer by design
Reduce working at height risks
We regularly carry out window surveys using drones. Our pilots fly under our CAA Operational Authorisation and regularly work up to 400ft, where no additional permissions are required above the norm.
One of the great benefits of a scaffold-free inspection is the ease, speed and cost-effectiveness of the survey. There is no need to put your team at unnecessary risk, and you get the right information quicker and more cost-effectively than was previously possible.
Taking into account that every building is unique, 400ft equates to between 32 and 36 storeys high.
CAA
CAA Operational Authorisation 11363
Fully insured, with £10m public liability and specialist UAV cover
Why survey your windows
Save energy, money and carbon
Whether your frames are plastic, metal or timber, and whether your glazing is single, double or triple, your windows need maintenance. A regular drone survey shows you exactly where.
- Lower energy loss. Failed seals and sealed units let heat escape, so catching them early keeps your building efficient.
- Lower heating bills. Less heat lost through your windows means less energy spent replacing it.
- A smaller carbon footprint. Well-maintained windows help reduce your building’s carbon emissions.
- Planned, not reactive, maintenance. Spot degradation early and remediate it before it becomes a bigger, costlier problem.
- Accurate pricing guidance. RTK measurements give you a reliable guide when budgeting for replacements.
Frames, sills and seals captured close-up, without a ladder or scaffold in sight.
Sectors We Cover
Commercial & domestic window surveys
We regularly carry out commercial window surveys on tall buildings, and domestic window surveys, usually as part of our building heat loss thermal survey package.
Our service is suitable for
- ›Offices and commercial premises
- ›Warehouses, factories and industrial buildings
- ›Retail units, shopping centres and retail parks
- ›Residential apartment blocks and housing developments
- ›Housing association and social housing properties
- ›Schools, colleges, universities and education estates
- ›Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare buildings
- ›Local authority and public-sector buildings
- ›Historic, heritage and listed buildings
- ›Hotels, leisure centres and hospitality properties
- ›Care homes and assisted-living facilities
- ›Distribution centres and logistics hubs
- ›Churches and places of worship
- ›Agricultural and rural buildings
- ›MOD, defence and secure estate buildings
- ›Prisons and custodial facilities
- ›Construction sites and newly completed developments
- ›Multi-site commercial and residential property portfolios
For clients with assets spread over large areas, we build a consistent visual library of the external envelope of every asset, helping teams compare condition and prioritise maintenance.
Why choose us
Why choose Drone Site Surveys?
Drone Site Surveys specialises in professional window surveys and building inspections, delivering detailed, high-resolution imagery rather than general aerial photography.
Our experienced, CAA-approved drone pilots work across commercial, industrial and residential properties, with particular expertise in window, glazing and façade inspections. We understand how to capture clear, close-up imagery of window frames, glazing, seals, joints and surrounding structures, helping surveyors, property owners and asset managers identify visible defects, assess deterioration and plan maintenance or replacement works without the need for costly or disruptive access equipment.
Clients choose Drone Site Surveys for our specialist experience, professional standards and independent approach:
How it works
Our drone window survey process
From first enquiry to secure delivery, every survey follows the same six steps, so you always know what happens next and when.
Tell us about the building
Email us the site address with postcode, the elevations you need surveyed and what you need from the survey. We’ll come back with the options available.
Planning and quote
We carry out a desktop assessment of the property and the surrounding airspace, check the survey against current UK drone regulations, and prepare your quote. You receive it by email with no obligation, along with the airspace map for your site and an example delivery so you can see exactly what you’ll be getting.
Booking your date
Once you’re happy with the quote we add your job to the schedule and start monitoring the Met Office forecast. In the meantime we prepare the pre-flight paperwork, including our risk assessment and method statement (RAMS), which we can send over for your records. As soon as we have a clear weather window and pilot availability, we confirm your attendance date. You don’t normally need to be on site.
The survey
Our CAA approved pilot works systematically around the building, capturing every agreed elevation and window in high-resolution overlapping imagery.
Processing
Every image is checked and organised into colour-coded folders by elevation. Any measurements, thermal imagery or reporting you’ve asked for are completed at this stage.
Delivery
We email you a link to our secure online portal, where your imagery, reports and any other agreed outputs are ready to view, download and share with your team or contractors. Alongside the deliverables you’ll find a folder containing the pre-flight paperwork, a copy of the drone airspace map for your site and any other relevant documents, so everything from the survey is in one place.
Request a Quote
Request a drone window survey quote
Whether it’s part of your maintenance plan, you’re planning a replacement programme or you want to improve your building’s energy performance, we can tailor the survey to your requirements.
Send us the site address and a brief description of what you need, and we will come back with clear pricing and deliverable options.
Prefer to Speak to Us?
If you’d rather speak to one of the team, that’s no problem. Simply call the number below and one of our team will be more than happy to help.
Get a Quote
In The Know
Frequently Asked
Questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about drone window surveys. If yours is not covered here, give us a call.
What is a drone window survey?
A drone window survey is a visual inspection of a building’s windows, frames, openers and seals carried out using a remotely piloted aircraft instead of scaffolding or access equipment. We capture close-up imagery from angles that were previously impossible to achieve, giving you a dated record of the condition of every window.
How long do windows last?
As an example, uPVC windows have an expected lifespan of around 25 years. With or without maintenance, this can range between 10 and 35 years. Regular surveys help you spot degradation early and plan replacements before failures occur. We must caveat this though, as the plastic frames can last 30 years plus, the glazing panels can last 15 to 25 years, and the hardware is usually 10 to 15 years.
Can you measure my windows?
Yes. Using RTK drones, we can take highly accurate measurements, which are a great guide for pricing. If you are replacing your windows, you should always consult your window supplier before manufacturer, and also always carry out on-site measurements prior to window ordering.
Can you survey tall buildings?
Yes. We regularly carry out commercial window surveys on tall buildings. Our pilots regularly fly up to 400ft, where no additional permissions are required above the norm. Depending on the building, that equates to between 32 and 36 storeys.
Can a window survey include thermal imaging?
Yes. Thermal imaging highlights heat escaping through failed seals, frames and sealed units. Domestic window surveys are usually carried out as part of our building heat loss thermal survey package as we need to thermally examine inside and out for a true picture.
What defects can a window survey find?
Visible defects such as cracked or misted glazing, failed seals and mastic, damaged or distorted frames, faulty openers and hinges, and corrosion on metal frames. Each window is captured close up so issues can be logged and priced.
Can you survey every window on a block of flats?
Yes. We capture each elevation systematically and organise the imagery so every window can be referenced, which suits housing providers and managing agents planning repairs or a replacement programme.