9 February 2017
Demand for drone technology lifts off at Mitie, with clients recognising efficiencies and cost savings
Mitie client, Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council, welcomes innovative drone technology to help survey its homes and identify repairs.
Working with surveying company MLCS3, Mitie has introduced the drone flights to help spot problems with buildings faster – in place of unsightly and expensive scaffolding – which should lead to improved services for H&F tenants and leaseholders, and expected cost savings in the long term. In addition, the drone’s hi-resolution 4K camera boosts the accuracy of each survey, giving property managers a more detailed inspection service.
“Using drones is just one way of improving our customer service to residents and spotting repairs more quickly and more cheaply,” said Cllr Lisa Homan, H&F Cabinet Member for Housing. Adding, “These drones are light, agile and impressive to watch. They will also save us a significant amount of money – which means we can spend more on the repair and maintenance of our homes.”
Over the past few months, the council, with the support of the residents’ Repairs Working Group, has used drones to help complete external surveys on properties at Burne Jones House on the Lytton Estate in West Kensington and Shepherds Court in Shepherds Bush.
Drones are operated by specially trained ‘pilots’ who can use the machines to take snapshots of high quality images and films of building exteriors, allowing the council to safely survey the properties from the ground for the first time.
Once the drone is in the air, a surveying of a building takes just 30 minutes – compared to the days or weeks it would take using traditional scaffolding to complete inspections.
“They’re faster, cheaper and safer. What’s not to like?” added Cllr Homan.
