Date published: 18 December 2025
Stonewater has started a national project with Vantage UAV to survey the roofs of 960 blocks, covering around 7,000 homes, using advanced drone technology.
The initiative, which will begin in January 2026, is designed to proactively assess the condition of every block in the leading housing provider’s portfolio that is over 5-years-old.
The project marks the first time that Stonewater will work with Vantage UAV, which was founded in 2017 and specialises in high-quality aerial data capture and inspections for the housing, construction and renewables sectors.
By deploying drones, Stonewater aims to identify even the smallest roofing issues before they escalate into major leaks or costly repairs, ultimately protecting both homes and customers.
Traditional roof surveys often rely on visual inspections from street level or require surveyors to access roofs directly, which can be time-consuming, intrusive for residents and expensive.
In contrast, drone surveys offer a smarter, safer and more cost-effective solution by removing the initial need for scaffolding, cherry pickers, or working at height.
The air-borne devices can also access hard-to-reach roofs, courtyards or complex structures without the need to enter customers’ homes, and will capture high-resolution visual and thermal data in a matter of minutes.
Robert Panou, Director of Asset Strategy, Homes at Stonewater, said: “Using drones for a project of this scale is the most effective way to survey every single block roof that Stonewater manages. While the costs are comparable to traditional methods, the results are far more comprehensive and will be useful to our team for years to come.
“Capturing such comprehensive visuals and data will allow us to address issues early, reducing the need for expensive repairs and minimising disruption and frustration for customers.”
Grace Hammond, Head of Services – Built Environment at Vantage UAV, added: “Drones are an excellent tool to gain stronger insights into the condition of buildings, make budgets stretch further by having a targeted approach to maintenance and ensure properties continue to be safe, happy homes for residents.
“The high-res data can be viewed securely online, which gives a level of clarity that traditional methods simply can’t match. This means that wider team members can view or revisit the imagery whenever needed – whether that’s to support retrofit projects, compare changes over time, or plan future maintenance.”
Vantage UAV’s pilots are fully certified by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, hold GVC qualifications, and operate under strict safety standards. The drones used are lightweight, highly capable, and present minimal risk or intrusion on customers.
This project continues Stonewater’s commitment to innovation and customer service, ensuring safe, well-maintained homes for people across the country.
