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30.9.2025

Offer roof inspection with drone as a carpenter & roofer — Complete 2025 guide

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Offer roof inspection with drone as a carpenter & roofer — Complete 2025 guide

In Germany, drone roof inspection has become an established method for roofers and carpenters — without the typical safety risks of traditional roof inspections. The German market accounts for 25% of drone construction applications for building inspections, while the global sector is growing at 14.2% annually. As a craft business, you can take advantage of this growing market and at the same time expand your core business with a lucrative service.

Drone roof inspection as a commercial service requires EU drone driving license A1/A3, liability insurance with at least 900,000€ coverage, LBA registration and suitable drone equipment starting at 5,000€. The ROI break-even is typically 1-2 months.

Before you start: Create a legal basis

Commercial drone roof inspectors in Germany need a solid legal basis. The EU drone regulation does not differentiate between commercial and private use, but classifies according to risk category. This significantly simplifies the legal situation compared to previous national regulations.

EU drone driving license: Which for commercial use?

For roof inspection, the EU A1/A3 drone driving license, which can be completed online and is valid for 5 years, is sufficient. Alternatively, you can get the A2 driver's license, which offers additional flexibility when it comes to drone sizes. The harmonization of the EU drone regulation simplifies cross-border commercial operations, as German certificates are recognized in all EASA countries. This creates competitive advantages for established German providers in European projects.

Driving license overview:

A1/A3: Can be completed online, valid for 5 years
A2: Expanded rights, additional practice check required
Renewal: Required every 5 years

Insurance & liability: What you need to know

Liability insurance with at least 900,000€ coverage is required by law for all drone flights in Germany. Special commercial drone insurance policies often offer higher amounts of coverage and additional equipment protection. Check with your existing business liability obligation whether the use of drones is also insured or whether an extension is necessary.

Permits & general permits per federal state

Drones over 250g require Remote ID and LBA registration with a visible eID number. Depending on the area of application, additional general permits from the federal states may be required. The LBA website provides up-to-date maps with no-fly zones and specific requirements.

Step-by-step: Set up the service (45-60 min setup)

Drone equipment: Recommended hardware & software

Professional roof inspection drones require at least 25 minutes of flight time for around 2,800 square meters of roof area. The DJI Mavic 3T with 48MP+ thermal camera (640x512 resolution) is recommended as premium equipment for roof inspections. Thermography can justify significantly higher prices, but requires a higher capital investment.

Equipment recommendations:

Basic equipment: DJI Mini or Mavic (from 1.500€)
Professional: DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (from 3,500€)
Premium: DJI Mavic 3T with thermal camera (from 6,000€)
Software: Airteam Fast Fusion for 3D modeling

Software integration is a critical success factor, as customers expect detailed 3D models and damage documentation, not just photos. Automated flight plans reduce pilot errors and standardize service quality between different orders.

Service positioning: Where you can score

Drone roof inspection provides 5-20x faster execution, eliminates work accidents — roof falls are the most common cause of death in the construction industry — and safely reaches dangerous areas such as chimneys. Drones can reach areas that are too heavy or dangerous to walk on or climb.

Your positioning advantages:

Safety: No ladder ascents or roof ascents
speed: 5-20 minutes vs. hours with manual inspection
Accuracy: 3D modelling with specific measurements
documentation: Continuous recording vs. selective smartphone photos

Drones continuously collect high-resolution video and image data from multiple angles, while manual inspection only enables selective smartphone photos. This leads to complete documentation and better legal certainty when it comes to warranty issues.

Pricing: From 199€ to 399€ + calculate correctly

Professional drone roof inspections in Germany typically cost 150-400€ for residential buildings and 500€ for commercial buildings. US market data shows hourly rates of 80-250 € for pilots.

Recommended price range:

Single-family house up to 150m²: 199-249 €
Multi-family house up to 300m²: 299-399 €
Commerce/Industry 500m²+: €499-899
Thermography surcharge: +150-300 €

Identify & address target customers

The German drone market in the construction sector accounts for 25% of building inspections, with particular growth in commercial applications.

Insurance cases: Quick claim recording

Insurance appraisers need detailed roof inspections to assess claims following storms. Insurance companies are time-critical customers who pay well for quick, accurate claims collection. Drone inspections enable 1.5 times more claims processed per day and reduce claims settlement costs by ~ 20%.

Maintenance contracts: Regular income

PV installation companies offer an ideal target group, as roof condition before solar installation is critical and this industry is technology-savvy. Maintenance contracts generate recurring income, while insurance claims generate time-critical, well-paid orders.

PV pre-test: opening up a growth market

Real estate companies particularly need roof inspections when preparing home sales or real estate appraisals. The solar market is booming and every PV installation starts with a roof test. As a roofer or carpenter, you can score twice here: First the drone inspection, then the subsequent roofing work if necessary.

With Airteam's drone pilot network You can also start without your own drone: Book a certified pilot and receive DIN-compliant 3D models for your customers.

Checklist: Ready for the first job

EU drone driving license A1/A3 completed
Drone liability insurance completed (900,000+ points)
LBA registration and eID number requested
Drone equipment purchased (starting at 1.500€ basis)
3D software/platform selected (e.g. Airteam Fusion)
First price list created (199-399€ residential building)
Pilot flight carried out at own building
Sample inspection report created

Troubleshooting: avoid common pitfalls

Problem: Inadequate flight time:t Professional drones should be able to fly for at least 25 minutes on a full charge. Always plan for backup batteries and calculate charging times between orders.

Problem: Bad weather conditions: Wind above 10 m/s, rain or poor visibility prevent safe flights. Develop a weather checklist and communicate changes early on.

Problem: Data protection for neighboring properties: Even though this is often not legally required, inform neighbors in advance about drone flights. This avoids conflicts and police operations.

Best practices & professional tips

Setting up a drone roof inspection company requires both skilled flight skills and industry-specific software programs. An average drone-based roof inspection should take 5 to 20 minutes after familiarization.

Professional tips for efficient inspections:

Use automatic flight patterns instead of manually controlling
Fly multiple heights for complete roof coverage
Thermography in the morning or evening for best contrasts
Use direct data transfer for post-processing

Craftsmen can offer drone inspections as a value-added service for regular roofing work, allowing them to achieve market differentiation without giving up their core business. Cross-selling existing customers minimizes marketing costs and uses the existing advantage of trust.

Key performance indicators: What you should measure

Successful drone roof inspection shows: 5-20 minutes of flight time per order, 150-400€ prices for residential buildings, 500€ for businesses, 1.5x more claims per day with insurance companies.

KPIs that you should track:

Inspections per day (target: 6-8)
Average order value (target: 250-350€)
Customer retention rate for repeat orders
Time from flight to finished report (destination: <24h)

FAQ: The 7 most important questions

Q: What drone license do I need for commercial roof inspections? A: The EU A1/A3 drone license is sufficient. It is valid for 5 years and allows the commercial use of drones up to 2 kg in the corresponding category.

Q: How much does it cost to get started with drone roof inspection? A: Minimum start approx. 5,000€ (drone 1,500€, software 200€/month, insurance 300€/year, driver's license). ROI after just 1-2 months for 2-3 orders per week.

Q: How do I position myself against manual roof inspection?
A: Emphasize safety (no risk of falling), speed (5-20 min vs. hours), accuracy (3D data with measurements) and complete documentation vs. selective cell phone photos.

Q: How much does a drone roof inspection cost for end customers? A: 199-399€ for residential buildings depending on size, 500€ for commercial buildings. Thermography supplement +150-300€ depending on expenses.

Q: Can I fly anywhere? A: No Drones over 250g require LBA registration and remote ID. Observe no-fly zones (airports, military, nature conservation). Check current maps on the LBA website.

Q: Do I need special insurance? A: Yes At least 900,000€ coverage is mandatory. Check whether your business liability covers drones or expand it accordingly.

Q: Can I also take off without my own drone? A: Yes. With Airteam's pilot network, you can hire certified pilots and still receive professional 3D data and reports for your customers.

Ready to take the next step? Airteam offers complete solutions from drone detection to DIN-compliant 3D modeling. With the Fusion Platform, you get precise roof models for your inspection reports within 24 hours. Request a demo now and learn from the market leader.