The process

Five steps. No mystery.

Every Aerial Assess job runs through the same process, whether it's a pre-purchase inspection on a Karori villa or a commercial flat-roof assessment in Petone. Same structure, scoped to the property.

Day 0: 5 minutes

Get in touch

Send an enquiry through the website form or call 022 058 7070. Tell us the property address, what you need (pre-purchase, pre-sale, insurance, leak, drone-only, etc.), and any deadlines you're working to. The more we know up front, the better the quote.

Day 0 to Day 1: a phone call

We call you back

We get back to you as quickly as we can, usually within a business day or two. We talk through what you need, ask a few questions about the property, and give you a fixed price up front, including GST. The price we quote is the price you pay. If you're happy, we book a time for the site visit.

Within a few days: about an hour on site

We come out and inspect

We attend the property and inspect the visible and accessible roof areas up close. Where a roof is too steep, too high or too fragile to reach safely, we use drone access to capture detail of every visible surface. We photograph everything relevant and take notes. If you'd like to be there, say so when you book, many clients do.

Within a few days of the visit

We send the assessment letter

You receive a plain-language written assessment letter by email. It includes photographs of the key roof areas, our observations, and practical comments on anything worth knowing about. No jargon, no padding. You can forward it to your lawyer, insurer, or vendor as needed. We're happy to talk through any questions over the phone afterwards.

Optional

Pricing for any work that's needed

If the assessment flags something worth doing, just ask and we can arrange pricing through a Wellington roofing business we work with. Completely optional, no obligation, and the assessment fee doesn't change either way. You can take the assessment letter to any roofer of your choice.

What this process is not: a full building inspection, an engineering report, or a guaranteed leak diagnosis. We focus on the visible and accessible roof areas, and we are clear about the limits of what we can and can't tell you from a visual assessment.

Typical timing

How quickly can it happen?

Most jobs run on a similar timeline. Yours might be tighter (pre-purchase with a contract clock running) or more relaxed (general assessment with no deadline). We'll let you know what's possible when we talk.

Typical job timeline

Day 0

You send an enquiry or call. We get back to you the same day or the next business day with a fixed-price quote.

Day 1 to 4

We book and attend the site visit, subject to weather (we don't fly the drone in high wind or heavy rain).

Day 3 to 6

You receive the written assessment letter and photographs by email.

Day 5 to 8

If anything is flagged that you'd like pricing on, we can have it back to you shortly after.

Urgent pre-purchase situations: if you're on a tight conditional contract clock, tell us when you make the enquiry. We do our best to fit in. Same-week turnaround on the visit AND the letter is usually achievable.

Common questions

Straight answers about the process.

Do I need to be at home for the inspection?

Not necessarily. For exterior-only roof inspections we don't usually need access inside the house, so you can leave us to it. Many clients like to be present so they can ask questions on the spot, which is welcome too. Let us know when you book what works for you.

How long does the on-site inspection take?

For a typical residential property, about 45 minutes to an hour on site. Larger properties, complex roofs, or commercial buildings can take longer. We'll give you an indicative time when we quote.

What if the weather is bad?

We don't fly the drone in high wind or heavy rain. If conditions look unsuitable, we'll reschedule. We try to be flexible and find a usable weather window, especially when you're on a tight contract clock.

When do I pay?

We invoice after the assessment letter is sent. Standard payment terms. We'll cover invoicing details in the initial phone call.

What does the assessment letter actually look like?

A plain-language written document, usually a few pages plus photographs, recording what we observed and what it might mean in practical terms. Designed to be read by a property owner, lawyer, or insurer without needing a roofing dictionary. We are not aiming for the look of a full building report or engineering report, because that is not what we provide.

Can you turn the letter around faster than usual?

Often yes, especially when conditions clocks are running. Tell us your deadline up front. Same-week turnaround from enquiry to letter is regularly achievable.

What if I'm not happy with what's in the letter?

Get in touch and we'll talk it through. We'd rather have the conversation than leave you with questions. The assessment is meant to be useful to you.

From enquiry to assessment letter, with no surprises along the way.