Drone thermal imaging in Lille and Hauts-de-France

What the thermal camera can see

• Insulation defects in a roof or façade, and thermal bridges (floor-to-wall junctions, lintels, parapets).
• Air leaks and damp areas, especially on flat roofs.
• Overheating cells, and faulty diodes and connectors on a solar PV installation.
• The condition of insulation after works, for a project handover or a dispute.

In a few minutes, the drone sees what a ground inspection would take a whole day to cover, especially on large roofs, residential blocks and commercial or industrial buildings.

Who it's for

• Co-owned residential buildings and their managing agents: to prepare a multi-year works plan, or to win over the owners' general meeting with images.
• Social housing providers: to identify which residences to renovate first.
• Local authorities: for municipal buildings such as schools, sports halls and town halls.
• Businesses: warehouses, industrial buildings, office buildings and large roofs.
• Solar panel installers and owners: inspection at handover or annual monitoring.
• Engineering consultancies, architects and energy auditors: I fly the drone and carry out the survey, you build it into your study.

How a thermographic survey works

1. A first conversation to understand the building and what you are looking for.
2. Declaring the flight to the prefecture (the local state authority) when the site is in a built-up area, at least ten working days in advance. I take care of this.
3. The flight, in the right conditions: at least a 10 °C difference between inside and outside, no direct sun for several hours, little wind and no rain. In practice, that means November to March, early in the morning or at the end of the day. If the weather isn't right, I'd rather postpone than deliver images you can't use.
4. Analysis of the radiometric images, one by one.
5. The report, delivered [within a week].

What the report includes

• Thermal and visible images side by side, located on a plan of the building.
• Measured temperatures and temperature differences, with the survey conditions (weather, time, indoor/outdoor temperature difference).
• A cautious interpretation of each anomaly, and what to check next.
• On request, a complete view of the roof stitched into a single image (thermal orthomosaic).

Thermal inspection of solar panels

From April to September, under clear skies, the same camera finds the panels that are underperforming: overheating cells, disconnected strings, connectors at risk. The inspection follows the IEC 62446-3 method, with measured irradiance of at least 600 W/m². It is designed for farm building roofs, warehouses, commercial buildings and installers.

Indicative prices

Travel included within the Lille metropolitan area. Detailed quote within 48 hours.

Where I work

I'm based in Lille and I work across the whole metropolitan area (Roubaix, Tourcoing, Villeneuve-d'Ascq), the former mining area (Lens, Douai, Valenciennes), the Arras area, and along the coast from Dunkirk to Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer. I also work in the Belgian border area and in Brittany, around Rennes.

A filmmaker's eye

I'm a film director and a drone pilot certified for the "specific" category. I've been working with images for years, for businesses and local authorities alike, and I bring the same care to a thermal survey as to a film: prepare, wait for the right conditions, deliver something easy to read. If you need it, the images can also be turned into a short video to present the works to an owners' general meeting or to elected officials. For films and aerial footage, see also the Aerial filming page.

What drone thermal imaging doesn't replace

Thermal imaging detects anomalies, but on its own it doesn't tell you what causes them. Under a ventilated tiled roof, the camera sees the tiles, not the insulation. For some defects, a check from the ground or from inside is still useful. Nor does it replace a DPE (the French energy performance certificate) or a regulatory energy audit: it complements them.

Do you have a building that needs a survey this winter? The useful window runs from November to March. Ask for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for a building thermal survey?

During the heating season, from November to March. You need at least a 10 °C difference between inside and outside, and no direct sun on the walls for several hours. The best times are early in the morning or at the end of the day.

Does the building need to be heated before the flight?

Yes, the building should be heated as usual from at least the day before. For a residential block or a co-owned building, I send you simple instructions to pass on to the occupants.

Does a drone thermal survey replace a DPE or an energy audit?

No. It finds anomalies and helps you target the works, but it doesn't replace the regulatory assessments. It complements them, and an auditor can use it to back up their recommendations.

Can the drone see the insulation under the tiles?

Not directly. Under a ventilated roof, the camera measures the temperature of the tiles. Defects often still show up, but some need an additional check from the loft.

Do you need permission to fly a drone in town?

Yes. In built-up areas, every flight is declared to the prefecture at least ten working days in advance. I handle all the paperwork, so there's nothing for you to do.

How much does a drone thermal survey cost?

From [350 € excl. VAT] for a house and from [700 € excl. VAT] for a residential block, report included. For a solar PV installation, from [400 € excl. VAT]. The quote depends on the size of the building and access to the site.