Storm Damage Drone Assessment
After a storm the useful question is rarely "how bad is this building" but "which of these twelve buildings do I deal with first". Aerial survey is good at that, and it is available before it is safe to put people on roofs.
- Free to post
- No commission on the job
- Part 107 certified pilots
118 inspection pilots ready to quoteAcross 37 states & regions
Triage before access
A flight can survey a site while the ground is still hazardous — standing water, downed lines, unstable structures — and produce a ranked list of what needs attention. That ordering is usually worth more in the first week than a detailed report on any single building.
Captured while it is still true
Sites change fast after an event: debris moves, tarps go on, emergency repairs start. An early aerial record is the only version of the site as the storm left it, and it cannot be recreated afterwards.
Whole-site, not building-by-building
For anything spread out, an orthomosaic of the entire site puts every element in one measurable image. It is the difference between a folder of photographs and a document you can point at in a meeting.
Free to post
Posting and receiving quotes costs nothing, and SkyLog takes no commission and adds no markup. You pay the pilot you hire, at the price the two of you agree.
What this settles
- A site-wide pass that establishes the whole property and its context as the baseline everything else refers to.
- A ranked walk of individual structures, each roof and elevation captured well enough to judge whether it is compromised.
- Detail on anything needing urgent intervention — an open roof, a displaced structural element, an envelope letting water in.
- An orthomosaic across a large or scattered site, which you can measure from and which does not fall out of order.
What it does not
- Replace a structural engineer. Whether a building is safe to occupy is answered by a qualified person on site with access to the structure.
- Perform any physical testing.
- Fly immediately after a disaster. Catastrophe zones frequently sit under Temporary Flight Restrictions protecting low-flying response aircraft.
- Serve every audience from one export. Insurers, boards, contractors and authorities want the same capture presented differently.
Ask for the raw files to be retained and delivered, then agree separately what gets built from them. The drone shortens the list of things an engineer has to look at; it does not sign it off.
How it works
Three steps, no account needed to start, and nothing to pay at any point in it.
- 1
Describe the job
The form opens with this page's answers already filled in — service, deliverable, site access. Add the location and anything specific to your site.
- 2
Pilots quote it
Every pilot whose service area and services match is notified. You get itemised quotes back with their credentials, kit and sample work attached.
- 3
Compare and hire
Pick on price, proximity or portfolio, and pay the pilot directly. SkyLog takes no cut and adds no markup to what you agree.
Pilots who list damage and claims work
Real published profiles. Open any one to see credentials, kit, service area and sample work before you post.
Stanley T Parker
North Carolina, United States
6 work samples
I’m an FAA Part 107 Certified Commercial Drone Pilot and the owner of True North Aerial Imaging, serving Alexander, Iredell, Catawba, Davie, and Rowan counties. My work blends technical precision with a storyteller’s eye, delivering aerial and ground visuals that help clients see their projects, properties, and events from a higher perspective. Over the years, I’ve flown in a wide range of environments — real estate, construction progress, community events, public‑works projects, and heritage sites. Whether navigating tight spaces, adjusting to fast-changing weather, or coordinating with on‑site teams, I bring a disciplined, checklist-driven workflow to every mission. Safety, clarity, and professionalism are non‑negotiable.
Real estateConstruction
chris aldridge
Texas, United States
20 work samples
I’m a commercial drone pilot providing aerial mapping, property line overlays, topographic mapping, construction site data, radiometric thermal inspections, 3D modeling, real estate listing photography and video, property marketing, and professional aerial imagery for businesses and landowners.
Real estateWeddingEventInspectionMapping / surveyFilm / TVConstructionOther- George Benes
Oregon, United States
13 work samples
I've been a Part 107 drone pilot since 2019, working with Pacific Northwest clients on Real estate, construction progress, mapping, telecom inspections, architectural photography and events. I am very flexible and can provide deliverables within 24 - 48 hours. I take great pride in my work and having a photography business, my delivered photos are edited and culled to the best of the best. I worked for 30+ years as a commercial construction Superintendent, managing multi-million dollar construction projects and this experience allows me to be very safety oriented and knowledgeable on construction sites, providing the construction companies with usable deliverables that they can share with all stakeholders involved in their building project.
Real estateEventInspectionMapping / surveyConstruction 
Andy Jones
California, United States
12 work samples
FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot based in Southern California, specializing in construction documentation, infrastructure inspections, mapping, orthomosaics, and aerial imagery. With more than two decades of experience managing complex federal construction projects, I understand the importance of accuracy, safety, and delivering actionable data—not just photos. I operate professional DJI Enterprise aircraft, including the DJI Matrice 4E, DJI Matrice 4T, as well as the DJI Air 3S for high-resolution imaging and the DJI Neo 2 for specialized close-range operations. My services include construction progress documentation, roof and property inspections, land development, infrastructure photography, photogrammetry, mapping, and custom aerial imaging. I also conduct search operations for lost pets using aerial search techniques and thermal imaging. Every mission is conducted in compliance with FAA regulations, with careful mission planning, clear communication, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results on schedule. Whether you need a single inspection or recurring project documentation, my goal is to provide reliable aerial data you can confidently use to make decisions.
Real estateEventInspectionMapping / surveyConstructionAgricultureOtherFilm / TVWedding
George Colonna
Maryland, United States
12 work samples
Started flying drones for General Dynamics Robotics Systems in 2009 as the subject matter expert and lead test engineer for RCTA and a program called the Soldier Machine Interface. We developed leader/follower code for up-armored autonomous assets a full decade before Google fielded their driverless car "train" and a UI that let soldiers/marines plan missions on the ground and in the air. My job was to ensure the software worked, more importantly, met customer requirements. Working in the field afforded me a wealth of experience regarding process and implementation, but also how to think critically and resolve issues on the fly. If interested in learning more about my credentials, please see my website. My current fleet is primarily DJI and Autel. I have RTK capability and a complete field kit to sustain remote operations for several days.
InspectionMapping / surveyConstructionOtherFilm / TV- K Enagonio
Tennessee, United States
10 work samples
I've been flying since 2015 and specialize in both cinematic filmmaking as well as surveying, construction, sensitive infrastructure capture, and music videos and events.
Film / TVConstructionInspectionEventAgricultureReal estateMapping / surveyOther
Inspection pilots by state
Airspace after a disaster is not normal airspace
This is the part that catches people out. The FAA routinely issues Temporary Flight Restrictions over disaster areas, and they exist because manned aircraft — air ambulances, police, utility and news helicopters — are working low and fast over the same ground. Flying inside a TFR without authorisation is both illegal and genuinely dangerous, and after major events the agency has been explicit about drones interfering with response aircraft. A competent pilot will check for restrictions before quoting and will tell you if the site cannot be flown yet. Treat "I can be there this afternoon" from someone who has not mentioned airspace as a warning sign rather than good service.
What to ask for, in what order
First, a site-wide pass that establishes the whole property and its context: this is the baseline everything else refers to. Second, a ranked walk of the individual structures, with each roof and elevation captured well enough to judge whether it is compromised. Third, detail on anything that looks like it needs urgent intervention — an open roof, a displaced structural element, a compromised envelope letting water in. If the site is large or the damage is spread out, ask for an orthomosaic rather than a photo set, because you can measure from it and it does not fall out of order.
Getting it usable by more than one audience
Storm documentation typically has to satisfy several readers at once: an insurer, a board or owner, contractors bidding on repairs, and sometimes a public authority. Those readers want the same underlying capture and different presentations of it. Ask for the raw files to be retained and delivered, and agree separately on what gets built from them. Contractors quoting repairs need detail and measurements; a board needs the site-wide view and a prioritised list; an insurer wants dates, locations and unedited originals available on request.
What this does not replace
A structural engineer. Aerial survey tells you where to send one, and it can make the case that one is needed, but questions about whether a building is safe to occupy are answered by a qualified person on site with access to the structure. The same applies to anything requiring physical testing. The drone shortens the list; it does not sign it off.
Common questions
How soon after a storm can a drone fly?
As soon as the weather allows and the airspace is clear. The binding constraint is usually a Temporary Flight Restriction over the affected area rather than the wind. Ask any pilot you are considering how they will check, and expect them to raise it before you do.
Can one flight cover multiple buildings?
Yes, and for a multi-building site that is normally the efficient way to do it — one mobilisation, one site-wide capture, then detail passes on the structures that need them. Say how many buildings and roughly how far apart when you post.
What does a storm assessment cost?
It scales with site size and how much reporting you need rather than with the severity of the damage. Inspection quotes on SkyLog have ranged from $100 for a small single-asset job to about $1,550 for a larger scope, with a $300 median across 13 quotes — a small sample, and one that spans every kind of inspection. A multi-building storm survey sits at the upper end of it. Post the site and get real numbers.
Will the imagery work for an insurance claim?
It is normally accepted as supporting documentation, but carriers differ and large commercial claims have their own processes. Ask your carrier or broker what they want before commissioning, and keep the original files.
Can a drone fly in the rain or high wind?
Most cannot safely, and the imagery would be poor if they could. Expect the first clear window rather than an immediate flight, and treat a pilot who promises to fly in anything as someone who has not thought about your liability or theirs.
Do I need an engineer as well?
For anything touching structural safety or occupancy, yes. The survey is how you decide where an engineer's time is best spent, not a replacement for their judgement.
Related drone services
Get your site surveyed after the storm
Post the site, the date and how many buildings. Pilots who do damage work will tell you what can be flown and when.
- No commission, ever
- Part 107 certified pilots
- No obligation to hire
Prices and guidance on this page were last reviewed .