The Real Cost of Facade Inspections for High-Rise Buildings (And a Better Way Forward)
- Hammer Missions
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Facade inspections are a critical part of maintaining the structural safety and integrity of high-rise buildings, especially in urban environments. But there's no getting around it, traditional facade inspections come with a high cost.
What Is a Facade Inspection?
A facade inspection involves the detailed examination of the exterior walls of a building, particularly high-rise structures. These inspections are often required by law and must be performed regularly to ensure the building's safety for occupants and the general public.
But regulations aren’t the only reason for these inspections. Natural ageing, storm damage, and post-insurance-claim assessments can all trigger the need for timely evaluations.
The Traditional Methods of Facade Inspections — and Their Cost
When it comes to inspecting high-rise building facades, there are typically three traditional methods used. Let’s break down each approach and its cost implications on facade inspections:
Method 1. Swing Stage Scaffold
Cost: $30,000 – $50,000+ per month
This is a suspended platform attached to the building’s exterior, allowing engineers or contractors to access various parts of the facade. While widely used, it’s labour-intensive and expensive, especially for tall buildings or longer-term projects.
Method 2. Rope Access
Cost: $8,000 – $12,000 per day
Technicians rappel down the side of the building using ropes. While more flexible and sometimes faster than scaffolding, it comes with significant safety concerns and still requires skilled labour.
Method 3. Boom Trucks
Cost: $5,000 – $10,000 per operation
Boom trucks use a mechanical lift to access the facade. Their reach is limited, making them suitable only for shorter buildings. You’ll also need to factor in logistics like street permits and potential road closures.
Overhead Costs: Logistics & Professionals
Permits & Coordination – Often delayed or blocked due to multi-stakeholder involvement.
Engineer or Qualified Inspector Fees – Can range from $150 to $500 per hour depending on location and seniority.
Total Cost for a Typical 10+ Storey Building? Upwards of $100,000 when factoring in equipment, labour, logistics, and professional time.
A Better Way: Drone-Based Facade Inspections
The good news? There’s a better, faster, and more cost-effective solution: drone facade inspections. More cities around the world now accept drones as a legitimate first step in the inspection process. With drones, inspectors can visually scan entire facades in a fraction of the time and cost.
Drone Inspection Costs can range from $5,000 – $10,000 per inspection, whilst covering up to 100% of the facade, not just 10–25% like traditional methods.
Why Drones Are Changing the Game
Full-Facade Coverage – See the entire surface area, not just a sample.
Faster Deployment – No scaffolding, permits, or street closures required.
Lower Cost – Reduce total inspection budgets by 60–90%.
Better Planning – Use drone data to decide where to focus hands-on inspections.
Before & After Visuals – Compare repair quality with pre- and post-repair imagery.
Digital Deliverables – Create 3D models and integrate AI to identify defects faster.
While regulations may still require some hands-on components, drone-first inspections provide a strategic advantage: identify key areas early, reduce unnecessary equipment setup, and complete projects faster and more affordably.
Want to see how you could save on facade inspections? Book a call to arrange a demo with our team.
A New Deliverable: 3D Models & Better Reports
Modern drone inspections aren't just about the images — they are about data, and how it can be applied to complement traditional facade inspection methods.
From 3D reconstructions to AI-assisted condition reports, the facade inspection process is now becoming smarter. Teams can collaborate more efficiently and make better decisions using visual data rather than only traditional sketches or notes.
For professionals involved in asset management, engineering, or inspection of high-rise structures, understanding both the cost implications and technical capabilities of drone-based approaches is key. As inspection practices evolve, integrating drone data into workflows can support more informed planning, risk mitigation, and maintenance decisions.
About Us
Hammer Missions is a software AI firm helping companies in the built environment leverage drones and AI for assessing existing conditions. Having seen 5000+ projects, we're pleased to be working with leading firms in AEC to streamline and scale the process of facade inspections. If you're looking to learn more about automating and accelerating your building assessment projects, please get in touch with us below. We look forward to hearing from you.