Hong Kong · Drone building inspection
Drone facade inspection — clear results without scaffolding
SkyWorks provides drone facade inspection, scaffold and structure checks, thermal imaging and survey for Hong Kong property managers, contractors and consultants — less scaffolding, less work at height, clear annotated defect reports.
DJI Matrice 4T thermal drone
Visual + telephoto + thermal
Flights planned under Cap. 448G
Serving all of Hong Kong
Six core services
From facades and scaffolding to infrastructure — clear records of high-level areas in a single flight.
Scaffold & Structure Inspection
Periodic image records of scaffolding, netting and high-level structure.
Traditional methods vs drones
| Criteria | Scaffolding / gondola | Drone inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time | Erection and dismantling take weeks | Scheduled after site assessment; flights take days |
| Cost | Higher scaffold, gondola and labour costs | No temporary works; lower overall cost |
| Disruption to occupants | Blocks windows, affects ventilation and security | Short capture windows with advance notice |
| Work-at-height risk | Workers at height | Crew operates from the ground |
| Coverage | Often partial, limited to scaffold area | Every elevation of the building |
| Repeatability | Re-inspection needs re-erection | Same route can be re-flown for comparison |
Our process
01
Enquiry & drawings
Share the address, building type, storeys and purpose; drawings or past reports help.
02
Site assessment & flight planning
We review surroundings, take-off points and airspace; for advanced operations we apply to the CAD beforehand.
03
Data capture
Visual, telephoto and (if required) thermal imagery along the planned route, with a safety zone in place.
04
Analysis & annotation
Every image is reviewed and suspected defects are tagged by elevation, floor and location.
05
Report delivery & follow-up
We deliver the report and imagery, answer questions and support repair or RI follow-up.
Deliverables
| Deliverable | Content | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Annotated elevations | Suspected defect locations and IDs marked on elevations | Standard |
| Photo index | High-resolution photo for each tagged location | Standard |
| Defect schedule | Type, location, description and suggested follow-up (PDF / Excel) | Standard |
| Thermal comparison | Thermograms alongside visual images with anomaly areas | Optional |
| Orthomosaic / 3D model | Orthomosaic or 3D model of elevations or site | Optional |
| Raw imagery | All original photos and clips (as agreed) | Optional |
Turnaround depends on building size and deliverables selected and is stated in the quotation.
Who we serve
Property managers / Owners’ corporations
Understand facade condition, plan maintenance budgets and prepare preliminary records for MBIS.
Contractors
Periodic records of scaffolding and high-level areas, progress reporting, before/after comparisons.
Consultants / RIs / Surveyors
Preliminary image surveys, close-up capture at specified locations, tagged defects for professional judgement.
Case: residential facade inspection
Drone capture of every elevation of a residential tower, with suspected defects tagged by location to help the owners plan repairs. Project details will be published once authorised by the client.
MBIS & MWIS support
Drone imagery supports Registered Inspectors (RI) / Qualified Persons (QP) with preliminary surveys and records; statutory inspection and judgement remain with the appointed RI / QP.
FAQ
Is drone facade inspection legal?
Yes. Small unmanned aircraft in Hong Kong are regulated by the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (Cap. 448G), and the CAD has issued AC-005 guidance for building survey/inspection. Depending on aircraft category and flight conditions, some operations are standard and others need prior advanced-operation permission; we plan and fly every job in line with CAD requirements.
Is scaffolding completely unnecessary?
Drones complete full visual records and preliminary surveys, greatly reducing scaffolding needs. Tap tests, sampling or repairs may still require close-range manual work.
Can drone inspection replace the Mandatory Building Inspection?
No. MBIS requires the Registered Inspector (RI) to carry out the prescribed inspection personally. Drone imagery supports the RI’s preliminary survey and records; statutory judgement and submission remain with the RI.
How long until I get the report?
It depends on building size, number of elevations and deliverables; the expected turnaround is stated in our quotation.
Aerial footage
Ready to start your inspection?
Tell us the building address, type and inspection purpose and we will prepare a quotation for your project.