Taking Property Surveys to New Heights with Drone Services
We are delighted to share that our Director, Nicola Zadrozny MRICS, has recently passed the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC). This Civil Aviation Authority qualification allows us to legally and safely operate small unmanned aircraft, such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, in more built-up areas.
This achievement makes Nicola one of the first Chartered Surveyors in Nottingham to hold the A2 CofC. It represents not just a personal milestone, but a major enhancement of the services we can now provide to our clients across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and the wider East Midlands.
At Bramble & Wagg Chartered Surveyors, we pride ourselves on delivering a Rolls Royce level of service. By integrating drone technology with Chartered Surveyor expertise, we can now offer safer, faster, and more detailed insights into buildings and property assets.
What Is the A2 CofC?
The A2 Certificate of Competency is a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulated qualification. It ensures that drone pilots are trained to operate safely in urban and suburban environments, closer to people and buildings than would otherwise be allowed.
With this certification, we can:
- Fly in congested areas where inspections are often most needed
- Operate closer to buildings for detailed condition surveys
- Capture high-quality aerial photography and video in areas that previously required additional restrictions
For our clients, this translates into faster, safer, and more cost-effective access to accurate property information.
Drone Roof Inspections: Chartered Surveyor Expertise with a New Perspective
One of the most immediate benefits of the A2 CofC qualification is the ability to carry out roof inspections by drone.
Traditionally, roof inspections can be:
- Expensive requiring scaffolding, cherry pickers, or access towers
- Risky involving people working at height
- Time-consuming with delays in arranging access equipment
With our new capability, Bramble & Wagg can now carry out residential and commercial drone roof inspections across Nottingham and the East Midlands, providing:
- High-resolution aerial imagery of pitched and flat roofs
- Identification of defects such as slipped tiles, cracked flashings, blocked gutters, and deteriorated coverings
- Photographic and video evidence integrated into our survey and valuation reports
- A safer and more efficient alternative to traditional inspection methods
As Chartered Surveyors, we don’t just capture imagery, we interpret it. That means understanding how defects affect condition, value, and risk, and advising on appropriate remedial action.
Other Applications of Drone Technology
The A2 CofC opens up wider opportunities beyond roof inspections. We are now able to offer:
- Property Marketing & Promotion: Striking aerial photography to showcase residential and commercial properties in their wider setting.
- Construction Monitoring: Documenting progress on construction sites with regular aerial updates.
- Planning & Development Context: Providing clear aerial views for planning applications, feasibility studies, and boundary assessments.
- Condition Surveys for Complex Sites: Quickly capturing images of areas that are difficult or unsafe to access by conventional means.
What Sets Bramble & Wagg Apart?
Many operators can fly drones. Fewer combine that capability with the expertise of a Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer.
At Bramble & Wagg, we go beyond imagery:
- We integrate aerial photography into formal RICS reports.
- We provide independent, professional advice based on surveyor interpretation.
- We give clients confidence that the information provided will withstand scrutiny by solicitors, lenders, or insurers.
This is the unique value we bring: drone capability combined with surveying expertise.
The Next Step: Working Towards the GVC
Nicola is not stopping at the A2 CofC. She is now working towards the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC), the next level of drone qualification.
The GVC expands operational permissions even further, enabling:
- Operating larger drones with greater payloads and advanced capabilities
- Extended permissions for flights in congested areas or more complex environments
- The ability to apply for an Operational Authorisation from the CAA, unlocking more flexibility and broader commercial opportunities
For clients, this progression means Bramble & Wagg will be able to offer even more advanced drone inspection services. Larger drones can carry higher-grade sensors, such as thermal imaging cameras, enabling us to detect heat loss, water ingress, and other defects invisible to the naked eye.
By investing in this next level of training, we are future-proofing our services and ensuring that our clients continue to benefit from the best available technology, combined with the rigour of RICS standards.
Serving Nottingham and the East Midlands
With the A2 CofC in place, and the GVC on the horizon, Bramble & Wagg is now positioned to offer:
- Drone roof inspections across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and surrounding areas
- Aerial photography for property marketing
- Surveying-grade aerial inspections with professional advice and reporting
This marks another step in our mission to provide Rolls Royce-level surveying services, blending tradition with innovation for the benefit of our clients.
