The demand for home inspections remains high, and many experts predict interest rates will fall, creating even more opportunities for those in the industry. How can inspectors keep up with the increasing number of houses needing to be serviced? Like nearly every industry, many companies are turning to modern technology to fill the gap. Drones are one way businesses are meeting demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lumps home inspections with building and construction. According to the government, there will be little change in job growth for the industry through 2033. They predict around 15,000 job openings across the industry each year due to retirement and voluntary exits. Aerial inspections may open additional positions by making real estate service companies more efficient and flexible. Companies may be able to more easily expand into surrounding areas — even with limited staff.
Using Technology for Home Inspections
Imagine a big box store’s self-checkout. You probably encounter artificial intelligence (AI) cameras tracking your movements to ensure you pay for all the items in your cart. Online chatbots help you navigate a bank transaction. Technology is entering every aspect of daily life, so it makes sense it might make its way to the real estate and home inspection industry.
Drones for Roof and Home Inspections
Drones have multiple use cases for roof and home inspections. One sector that uses this technology is insurance companies. Insurance companies must respond to everyone after a disaster and help them file claims, but there are only so many agents to put on the ground. Making it to every home can take months. Many insurance providers are turning to drones for quick response inspections to provide homeowners with payouts for urgent repairs. This is particularly valuable as extreme weather conditions continue to be an issue.
An insurance company can deploy a drone to take video and photos of a client’s roof and assess the information to determine if a replacement is warranted or if they should only pay for a repair. For example, California is in a home insurance crisis due to wildfires, and more are imminent. Utilizing drone technology is cheaper and speeds up the claims process.
Another way drones are being used is for inspecting accessory dwelling units (ADUs). According to the State of California Department of Finance, one in five homes built in 2023 were adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The trend goes beyond California. Homeowners across the U.S. are adding ADUs as a cost-effective way to house aging parents or give their adult children an affordable housing option. ADUs require various permits before the homeowner can build. Aerial inspections can speed up the process and gain the necessary approval more quickly.
With more drone and aerial use cases popping up, some individuals are becoming concerned.
Privacy Concerns
Some people have expressed concerns over privacy violations. Property owners usually know when an inspector is coming and can prepare for the visit. Any embarrassing situations can be easily avoided with an appointment.
However, the homeowner may not know when a drone is coming to inspect their property. Imagine living in a rural area with a backyard surrounded by trees. It is typically an isolated area with lots of privacy, so you think nothing of sunbathing.
A drone flying overhead changes all that. Homeowners have a valid concern about the invasion of privacy. Companies that want to utilize drones in inspections should set a time for the drone to fly over to avoid any surprises.
Various laws and regulations surrounding drones should put people’s minds at ease. For example, drones must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration unless they are recreational. They also must be flown at or below 400 feet from the ground so they’re easy to spot. Different locations have various rules, but they can’t just fly over your property without oversight.
Tapping Into the Power of AI
Adding drones to the rest of the home inspection process can provide clear benefits to service providers. Feeding the images into a computer allows inspectors to utilize AI to locate anomalies and things that need repaired.
The process ensures construction sites remain safe, home valuations are accurate and include all outbuildings, and damage is listed accurately for insurance claims. Inspectors will have a new tool to tap into for improved analysis.
The Future of Aerial Inspections
The aerial inspection industry will continue growing in the next few years. Expect more companies to tap into the power of drone technology and feed images into AI models as people become more adept at using it. Technology can assist inspectors in making more accurate predictions and finding issues before they arise. This equipment and software is another tool in the arsenal to meet client needs and keep up with demand.
