Drone Use for Roof Inspection: FAA, Models, and Liability

Drones cut inspection time in half and reduce ladder injuries to zero. They also create three problems: FAA compliance, liability exposure, and photo quality that carriers accept. A roofing company running drones without thinking through all three is one airspace violation or one neighbor complaint from a headache.

FAA Part 107 Basics

Any commercial drone flight in the United States requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Roof inspections for a paying customer or an insurance claim are commercial flights. Period.

Requirements to certify:

1. Be at least 16 years old
2. Read, speak, and understand English
3. Pass the Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA testing center (about $175)
4. Pass a TSA background check
5. Register your drone with the FAA ($5, valid 3 years)

Study guides cost $50-$200. Most people pass after 25-40 hours of study. Recertify every 24 months (now online, free).

Airspace Restrictions

Before every flight, check:

• Class B/C/D airspace near airports (requires LAANC authorization, usually instant via app)
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for wildfires, presidential visits, major events
• National parks and national monuments (drones generally prohibited)
• Stadiums within 3 nautical miles and 3 hours of events

Apps: B4UFLY (FAA official), Aloft, or Kittyhawk. Check every flight, even in familiar territory.

Drone Models by Budget

ModelPriceCameraBest For DJI Mini 4 Pro$759-$1,15948MP, 4K/60Compact, no registration under 250g DJI Air 3S$1,099-$1,54950MP dual lensMost roofing teams DJI Mavic 3 Pro$2,199-$2,999Hasselblad 20MPPremium imagery, supplements Autel EVO II Pro V3$1,7956K, 20MPDJI-alternative for firms concerned about DJI Skydio X10$10,000+Thermal, RGBOverkill unless doing thermal inspections

The DJI Air 3S is the sweet spot for roofing. Dual camera (wide and telephoto), obstacle avoidance on all sides, and photo quality that carriers accept. Budget $1,500 with spare batteries and a case.

Photo Settings for Carrier Acceptance

• Resolution: 20MP minimum, native
• Format: JPG for portals, RAW + JPG for archival
• Flight altitude: 30-60 feet above roof for overview, 10-15 feet for close-ups
• Angle: overhead orthogonal for overview, 45-degree for slope detail
• Sunlight: overcast or golden hour preferred; harsh midday sun creates blown highlights
• No edits: same rule as phone photos. No filters, no crops, no contrast boosts.

Carriers reject images that show signs of editing. Metadata embedded in the photo indicates edits. Keep the originals.

Liability and Insurance

Drone-specific liability is not covered by most general liability policies. Add a drone endorsement or a standalone drone policy. Typical cost: $500-$1,200/year for $1M coverage.

What you are protecting against:

• Drone falling and damaging property, vehicle, or person
• Neighbor claims of privacy invasion
• Loss of control leading to crash
• Third-party spectators struck in fly-away

A drone crash into a neighbor's car costs $8k-$15k. A drone injury to a child costs $100k+. The $800/year for coverage is non-negotiable.

Pre-Flight Checklist

1. Battery above 50%, controller battery above 50%
2. SD card has 32GB+ free
3. Firmware current (check in app)
4. Weather: wind under 15 mph, no precipitation, visibility 3+ miles
5. Airspace clearance confirmed
6. Homeowner verbal consent on file (include in job notes)
7. Return-to-home point set to current location
8. Max altitude set to 100' or lower over residential
9. Neighbors notified if launching near property line

The Flight Pattern for Inspection

1. Takeoff over the driveway, climb to 60 feet
2. One full perimeter at 60 feet for overview (4-6 shots)
3. Drop to 30 feet, orbit at 45-degree angle, shot per slope (6-10 shots)
4. Drop to 15 feet over each suspected damage area for close-ups (10-20 shots)
5. Videos optional but useful: 15-second clip per slope
6. Return to home and land

Typical flight: 15-20 minutes per roof.

What Not to Do

• Fly over crowds or event gatherings
• Fly beyond visual line of sight (illegal without Part 107 waiver)
• Fly over moving vehicles on public roads without waiver
• Hover outside bedroom windows or into fenced backyards (privacy lawsuits)
• Let a non-certified rep fly on a commercial job
• Post footage publicly without homeowner permission

Integration With the Job Record

RoofKnockers accepts drone photos into the inspection record alongside ground-level photos, organized by slope. Metadata preserved, no re-uploading per carrier portal. See the inspection media feature.

Related: hail damage photo documentation, moisture meter inspection 101, and adjuster scope dispute playbook.

See pricing or start a trial.

FAQ

Can my rep fly under my certification?

No. The Remote Pilot Certificate is individual. If the rep is the pilot, the rep must be certified. Some companies keep 1-2 certified pilots and route flights through them.

What about the DJI ban?

As of early 2026, DJI operates in the US with FCC authorization under review. Prudent firms keep a non-DJI backup (Autel, Skydio) in case of import restrictions.

Can I charge the homeowner extra for drone inspection?

On retail jobs, yes, as a line item. On insurance claims, the adjuster's documentation is the carrier's cost; yours is internal overhead. Do not try to bill the carrier for your drone time unless it is written into your scope.