For large public-sector buildings, understanding the condition of roofs and guttering systems is essential, but it’s rarely straightforward. Access equipment is expensive. Manual inspections at height carry risk. And getting consistent photographic records across a large building footprint takes time.
Drone surveys change that equation significantly, as Potter Raper Architectural Consultant Harry Goddard demonstrated recently when he conducted aerial condition surveys at both Cygnet Leisure Centre and Gravesham Civic Centre in a single day.
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The brief
The primary aim was to assess and document the condition of roof coverings and guttering systems at both sites. In addition to these key areas, Harry also captured imagery of building facades and any other visible structural or maintenance-related concerns that could be relevant to an overall condition assessment.
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The approach
Harry planned the day to ensure full coverage of both sites, focusing on high-quality image capture. Using a drone, he conducted aerial surveys that provided detailed views of roof and guttering conditions – elements that are not easily visible from ground level and would otherwise require access equipment or specialist inspection teams.
In addition to the roof areas, facade imagery was captured at both buildings, building a broader picture of external condition across each site.
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The outcome
The imagery collected provides a detailed overview of the external fabric of both buildings, supporting a clearer understanding of their current state and helping to identify any potential defects, deterioration, or maintenance requirements.
For a public sector client managing multiple assets with a defined maintenance budget, this kind of aerial condition record is particularly valuable: it allows defects to be identified early, work to be prioritised on the basis of evidence, and future inspection programmes to be planned efficiently.
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The team behind the work
Harry works as part of a wider Potter Raper team that brings together building surveying, architectural consultancy, health and safety expertise, and dedicated drone operations. The team includes:
- Ian Robertson, Senior Building Surveyor and Drone Lead
- Richard Ogunniyi, Building Surveyor and Technical Done Pilot
- Lea Streat, Building Surveyors and Drone Pilot
- Sam Arthey, Senior Health, Safety and Environmental Consultant and Drone Pilot
- Harry Goddard, Architectural Consultant and Drone Pilot
- Declan Beales, Assistant Building Surveyor and Drone Pilot
Together, the team delivers drone-supported condition surveys and inspections across a broad range of building types and project contexts.
To find out more about Potter Raper’s drone survey services, click here or email info@potterraper.co.uk.
