Roofing tiles - drone

[Puglet1]

I’m not sure about clambering up our roof to look at a displaced tile so I’m thinking about getting a drone with a camera.
Does anyone here have any experience with them?
If so what do you recommend?

 

[Shedendman]

Thats a "how longs a piece of string" question
Theres loads to choose from(i have a potensic atom) does for my needs.
And it not just a case of buying one and flying it around,theres also some legal factors to take into account,laws,blah blah blah
If you just want it for looking at th roof,bung some beer money to someone whos already got one

 

[Agroshield]

How high is the roof? Could a camera on an extendable pole work?

As above, there are companies that do drone surveys who have all the correct paperwork.

 

[johnik]

have you got a local faceache or similar group ?, round my way there are plenty kids with drones who fly and film for a laugh, maybe ask them ?

 

[BrokenBiker]

Cable tie a phone to a a window cleaners pole

 

[knighty]

bought an £80 to try thinking it would be decent enough and could get a better one later if I wanted

it was pretty rubbish, moved around too much in the wind etc. and camera was pretty naff / not steady - also underpowered, I was powering it up/away as hard as I could and it still (slowly) got blown into a tree

bought a better one, this one... https://www.amazon.co.uk/DJI-Stabilization-Transmission-Batteries-QuickShots/dp/B0F4WZ3Q2J

it's really good, steady in the wind, good camera, good range etc. etc. but at the same time I hardly use it (same as you, checking out roof garden walls etc.

just noticed they do this one, think it's new, didn't see it when I was buying one https://www.amazon.co.uk/DJI-QuickShots-Stabilized-Propeller-Controller-Free/dp/B07FTPX71F

I think (guess) it's pretty much the same, you control it from your phone instead of a remote... still a bit pricey to only use it once

 

[sako243]

A friend gave me a cheap one and it was useless. I then bought a DJI Mavic Mini when they launched and it just worked. A lot of roofers seem to have them now so may be worth if it's for a one off just seeing if you can find someone locally.

 

[Agroshield]

A lot of roofers seem to have them now...

There is some risk that you might not get a fair opinion from someone who is in business to make make money from repairing your roof.

 

[Shedendman]

Oh and for those who have got one,laws are changing again in 2026,the ******s in gov are wanting every drone now in the uk to have a location remote fitted,so anyone can see.track the drone and of course collect your data from it
1984

 

[fizzy]

Don't mess about with cheaper drones - they are a waste of money. If you ONLY want to inspect your roof get one of these! A dji neo. £165 but no controller can only use your phone controls so not ideal.

If you want something far more capable but still remarkably cheap get the dji mini4k. Under the 250gm limit. Range 1.8 miles on a good day. VERY easy to fly. Comes with a controller although you still use a phone to provide the screen.

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/dji-mini-4k-drone-grey-10269841.html?istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istFeedId=4d7eb93e-055f-499d-8ee5-1cdcc50d67d1&istItemId=malxrrwwq&istBid=t

 

[pedrobedro]

I got a cheap one from Temu, it has a death wish and only flies for about 2.5 minutes. I like the look of dearer ones but don't know if I'd use one enough to justify it.

 

[gaz1]

for me and roofman its go up and take video or photos

for others who dont want the cost of it use a telescopic mast poles are too flimsy

you can also make them out of wood as well

 

[Migmac]

Oh and for those who have got one,laws are changing again in 2026,the ******s in gov are wanting every drone now in the uk to have a location remote fitted,so anyone can see.track the drone and of course collect your data from it
1984

We have a drone at work, that gets used for deer survey work. It’s about 5K, images are superb. Being a gov organisation we are now being told we can’t have Chinese made drones, due to the fear of them spying on us

 

[fizzy]

We have a drone at work, that gets used for deer survey work. It’s about 5K, images are superb. Being a gov organisation we are now being told we can’t have Chinese made drones, due to the fear of them spying on us

They did this with our mobile phone network. Removed all Huawei equipment. anyone noticed just how bad our mobile networks are these days

 

[Puglet1]

ALL.
As usual, your comments have helped me immensely.
I didn’t realise there were legal factors to take into account and really don’t want any hassle.
I don’t think I would risk a Chinese made one after reading the comments above.
I guess I won’t be using a drone often enough to justify a higher priced version.
I will now try the other suggestions.
Thank you all for your help.

 

[addjunkie]

I believe @roofman has a drone for such things. If you live on a nice motorcycling route he may guide you!

 

[gaz1]

remember tech has moved on quite a bit nowadays we can use cctv wifi cameras as well stuck on the end of a telescopic pole

whilst we view the video feed from the ground also telescopic masts can wheeled from one of a roof to the other really easily

with the scale of 5k cameras we can also use the zoom in function as well

 

[Shedendman]

Range 1.8 miles on a good day.

I do hope you're not operating it from that distance as you'd be a naughty boy if so,i take it you do have an operators ID and flyers ID?

 

[Shedendman]

@Puglet1
I'd just ask around whos got one and let them do the red tape bit

 

[addjunkie]

Have you tried looking at it with a pair of binoculars from across the road, this is what mortgage surveys used to be