IMPORTANT: Please read these Terms carefully before instructing a survey. By ticking the acceptance box on our contact form, you accept these Terms. They take effect only if you go on to instruct a survey: asking for a quote or general information does not commit you to anything. If you are booking as a consumer, clause 16 explains your right to cancel.
1. Definitions and Interpretation
1.1 In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:
- “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”: Joshua Cowan, trading as North London Drone Surveys, a sole trader based in England. Our contact details are set out at the end of these Terms.
- “Client”, “you”, “your”: the individual, business, or organisation commissioning our Services.
- “Services”: drone roof surveys, aerial photography and videography, floorplan surveys, property documentation, and any associated deliverables as agreed in the Booking Confirmation.
- “Booking Confirmation”: the written confirmation (including by email or WhatsApp) issued by us confirming the scope, Flight Site, Survey Date, and fee for the Services.
- “Survey Date”: the date and start time of the survey stated in the Booking Confirmation, as rescheduled from time to time under these Terms.
- “Deliverables”: images, video footage, survey reports, annotated photographs, and any other output produced as part of the Services.
- “Flight Site”: the location(s) at which drone operations are to be conducted.
- “Weather or Airspace Event”: (a) weather or site conditions that, in our judgment, make flight unsafe or unlawful or are unlikely to produce usable imagery, including high wind, rain, fog, low cloud, poor visibility, icing, or lightning; and (b) any restriction on the airspace over or near the Flight Site, including a Temporary Flight Restriction, emergency restriction, Flight Restriction Zone activation, or refusal of air traffic control permission.
- “CAA”: the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK regulatory body for aviation matters.
- “Drone Code”: the CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Code, as updated from time to time.
- “UK GDPR”: the UK General Data Protection Regulation as defined in the Data Protection Act 2018.
- “Force Majeure Event”: any event beyond the reasonable control of the party affected, including a Weather or Airspace Event, fire, flood, civil emergency, or government action.
1.2 References to statutes include any statutory modifications or re-enactments. Headings are for convenience only and shall not affect interpretation.
2. Regulation, Insurance and Safety
2.1 We are registered with the CAA, hold commercial third-party liability insurance covering drone operations, and comply with all applicable CAA regulations, including the Drone Code and all airspace restrictions. Evidence of insurance is available on request.
2.2 We carry out our own site and risk assessment, including airspace and weather checks, before every survey.
2.3 We may refuse or abort a flight at any time if, in our professional judgment, conditions make safe and lawful operation impossible. In such cases, clause 6 (Weather and Airspace) applies.
3. Booking and Contract Formation
3.1 Enquiries, quote requests, and general questions do not create a contract or any obligation to pay.
3.2 The Client accepts these Terms by ticking the acceptance box on our contact form. A contract between us and the Client is formed when the Client then instructs us to carry out a survey (including by email, WhatsApp, or phone) and we issue a Booking Confirmation.
3.3 The Booking Confirmation sets out the agreed scope of Services, the Flight Site, the Survey Date, the agreed fee, and any special conditions. A copy of these Terms is supplied with every Booking Confirmation and forms part of the contract.
3.4 Any variation to the agreed scope or Deliverables must be agreed in writing before the Survey Date. Any additional charge for a change requested on the day will be agreed with the Client before the additional work is carried out.
3.5 The Client warrants that they have authority to commission the Services at the stated Flight Site, including any necessary permissions from property owners, occupiers, or relevant third parties.
3.6 Where Services are procured by a business on behalf of an end client, the contracting party remains fully liable to us under these Terms.
4. Fees and Payment
4.1 Our fees are as quoted and confirmed in the Booking Confirmation. We are not registered for VAT, so no VAT is charged.
4.2 No deposit is required. The agreed fee becomes payable once the survey has been carried out. We will invoice the Client on completion of the survey, and payment is due within 14 days of the invoice date by bank transfer to the account shown on the invoice.
4.3 The completed report and any other Deliverables will be issued on receipt of payment in full.
4.4 For ongoing or repeat instruction arrangements, payment terms will be as separately agreed in writing.
4.5 Where the Client is a business, we may charge statutory interest and fixed-sum compensation on late payment under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, together with reasonable recovery costs.
4.6 Any additional costs, such as parking or third-party fees, will be agreed with the Client in advance and charged at cost, unless already included in the quoted fee.
5. Client Obligations
5.1 The Client agrees to:
- Provide the correct address of the Flight Site and the agreed Survey Date and time.
- Tell us promptly of any change to the booking details that may affect the survey.
- Not interfere with or impede the operation of the drone or direct us in any manner that would compromise safety or regulatory compliance.
- Comply with any reasonable safety instructions we give on site.
5.2 The Client indemnifies us against any loss, cost, or liability arising from the Client’s failure to comply with clause 5.1.
6. Weather and Airspace
6.1 Drone operations depend on weather and airspace conditions. We will not fly during a Weather or Airspace Event.
6.2 The decision on whether a Weather or Airspace Event exists, and whether the survey should be postponed, rests solely with us. Our professional judgment on safety and legality is final.
6.3 We monitor weather forecasts and airspace notices ahead of every booking and will aim to tell the Client of any postponement at least 24 hours before the Survey Date. Conditions and airspace restrictions can change at short notice, so we may also need to postpone on the day, including after arriving at the Flight Site.
6.4 No charge applies to any postponement under this clause. We will offer the earliest suitable alternative date. If a mutually convenient date cannot be agreed within 30 days of the original Survey Date, either party may cancel the booking by written notice without charge.
6.5 We are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss suffered by the Client as a result of a postponement or cancellation under this clause.
7. Cancellation and Postponement
7.1 Cancellation by the Client
The Client may cancel or postpone a booking by telling us by email, WhatsApp, or phone:
- Before the survey has been carried out: no charge.
- Once the survey has been carried out: the booking can no longer be cancelled and the full agreed fee is payable.
Consumer Clients should also read clause 16.
7.2 Cancellation by Us
We may cancel a booking where:
- Conditions at the Flight Site make safe or lawful operation impossible;
- A Force Majeure Event prevents performance; or
- The Client has failed to fulfil their obligations under clause 5.
Where we cancel for any reason other than the Client’s failure under clause 5, no charge applies and any sum paid will be refunded in full. Postponements for weather or airspace are dealt with under clause 6.
8. Intellectual Property and Deliverables
8.1 All Deliverables produced by us remain our intellectual property until full payment has been received. Upon receipt of full payment, we grant the Client a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use the Deliverables for the purposes set out in the Booking Confirmation.
8.2 Unless an exclusive licence or full assignment of copyright is expressly agreed in writing and reflected in the fee, we retain all copyright in the Deliverables and may use them for our portfolio, marketing, case studies, and promotional materials, unless the Client requests otherwise in writing at the time of booking.
8.3 The Client shall not sub-license, sell, or commercially exploit the Deliverables to third parties without our prior written consent.
8.4 We will endeavour to deliver final Deliverables within the timescale agreed in the Booking Confirmation. Delivery timescales are estimates and are not of the essence of the contract unless expressly stated to be so in writing.
8.5 Raw, unedited footage remains our property at all times and will not be supplied to the Client unless expressly agreed in the Booking Confirmation.
8.6 Survey reports and inspection summaries are prepared in good faith based on visual observations made by drone. They do not constitute structural engineering advice, a party wall survey, a full building survey, or any other professional report regulated under separate legislation, and should not be relied upon as such.
9. Data Protection and Privacy
9.1 Compliance Framework
We are a data controller for the purposes of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. All drone footage constitutes personal data where individuals are identifiable and is treated accordingly. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) treats drone footage as equivalent to CCTV footage, and we operate in accordance with the ICO’s guidance on video surveillance and unmanned aerial systems.
9.2 Lawful Basis for Processing
Our lawful basis for processing personal data captured incidentally during drone operations is legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR), where our interests in providing contracted commercial survey and photography services are balanced against and do not override the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individuals captured. Where operations involve deliberate focus on identifiable individuals, we will seek appropriate consent.
9.3 Data Retention and Security
- Raw footage and images are stored on encrypted media and transferred via secure channels only.
- Footage is retained for a maximum of 90 days following delivery of Deliverables to the Client, after which it is securely deleted, unless retention is required for legal or compliance purposes.
- Deliverables delivered to the Client are the Client’s responsibility once in the Client’s possession. The Client must handle any personal data contained within them in accordance with UK GDPR.
- Requests from data subjects to access, correct, or delete footage in which they appear should be directed to us using the contact details below.
9.4 We are registered with the ICO as a data controller (registration number ZC252390). Our privacy policy, available on our website or on request, sets out our full data processing practices.
9.5 The Client warrants that, where they commission us to capture footage of third parties’ properties or persons on their behalf, the Client has a lawful basis for that commission and accepts responsibility for ensuring compliance with UK GDPR in relation to the end use of the Deliverables.
10. Health and Safety
10.1 We operate under a documented Operations Manual that includes risk assessment procedures, emergency protocols, and pre-flight checklists for each class of operation.
10.2 Our pilot-in-command has full authority to halt or abort an operation at any time on safety grounds, without prior notice to the Client.
10.3 A safety perimeter will be established around the launch and landing zone. No unauthorised persons are permitted within this perimeter during flight operations.
10.4 The Client shall ensure that their personnel, contractors, and any third parties present at the Flight Site comply with all safety instructions given by our crew.
10.5 In the event of a drone incident, near-miss, or accident during our operations, we will file all required reports with the CAA and relevant authorities. We will cooperate fully with any investigation.
10.6 Our drones are maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and applicable CAA airworthiness requirements. Maintenance records are kept on file.
11. Liability and Indemnity
11.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for: death or personal injury caused by our negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; any liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.
11.2 Subject to clause 11.1, our total aggregate liability to the Client under or in connection with these Terms, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim.
11.3 We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, incidental, or special loss or damage, including loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of anticipated savings, loss of business, or reputational damage, even if we were advised of the possibility of such losses.
11.4 Our survey reports and inspection outputs are based on visual aerial observation only. We are not structural engineers or chartered surveyors. Reports are provided as a visual aid and general indicator of condition only. The Client should commission a qualified structural engineer or RICS chartered surveyor for full structural assessments, party wall matters, or any report required for legal, insurance, mortgage, or conveyancing purposes.
11.5 We are not liable for any failure to capture specific imagery where such failure is caused by obstruction, weather, technical failure of equipment, restricted airspace activation, or any other matter beyond our reasonable control.
11.6 The Client indemnifies and holds harmless us, our employees, and subcontractors against any claim, loss, cost, or damage arising from: (a) the Client’s misuse of Deliverables; (b) the Client’s failure to obtain required consents; (c) inaccurate or misleading information provided to us about the Flight Site; or (d) the Client’s breach of these Terms.
12. Force Majeure
12.1 Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations under these Terms to the extent caused by a Force Majeure Event.
12.2 The affected party shall notify the other as soon as practicable and shall use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate the effect of the Force Majeure Event.
12.3 If a Force Majeure Event prevents performance for more than 30 days, either party may cancel the affected booking by written notice without charge, and any sum paid for Services not performed will be refunded in full.
13. Confidentiality
13.1 Each party agrees to keep confidential all information received from the other that is designated as confidential or that is reasonably apparent to be of a confidential nature.
13.2 Where the Client requires confidential treatment of Deliverables (e.g. commercial or sensitive sites), this must be specified in writing at the time of booking, and a Non-Disclosure Agreement may be required.
13.3 Confidentiality obligations do not apply to information that is in the public domain, independently developed, or required to be disclosed by law or regulatory authority.
14. Subcontracting
14.1 We may subcontract the performance of Services to qualified and appropriately certificated drone operators where necessary. Any subcontractor will be required to hold the appropriate CAA qualifications, Operator ID, Flyer ID, and commercial insurance.
14.2 We remain responsible for the acts and omissions of our subcontractors as if they were our own.
15. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
15.1 Any complaint or concern regarding our Services should be raised with us in writing as soon as possible and in any event within 14 days of delivery of the Deliverables.
15.2 We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and aim to resolve it within 20 working days.
15.3 If a dispute cannot be resolved through our internal complaints process, either party may refer the matter to mediation before a mutually agreed mediator. The cost of mediation will be shared equally.
15.4 Nothing in this clause prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive or other interim relief from the courts.
16. Consumer Rights (Where Applicable)
16.1 Where the Client is a consumer (an individual acting outside their trade, business, or profession), certain statutory rights apply under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, which cannot be excluded by these Terms.
16.2 Right to cancel. If you are a consumer and you book online, by phone, by email, by WhatsApp, or away from our business premises, you have the right to cancel the contract within 14 days of the day the contract is formed, without giving any reason.
16.3 To cancel, tell us clearly before the 14-day period ends, by email to info@northlondondronesurveys.com, by WhatsApp or phone on 020 3918 3448, or by post to the address supplied with your Booking Confirmation.
16.4 Surveys within the cancellation period. If you ask us to carry out the survey within the 14-day cancellation period (by ticking the relevant box on our contact form):
- if you cancel before the survey has been carried out, there is no charge;
- once the survey has been carried out, you lose your right to cancel and the full agreed fee is payable.
16.5 If you cancel, we will refund any payment due to you within 14 days of being told of your decision, using the same payment method you used.
16.6 These Terms do not affect any statutory rights you may have as a consumer. For independent advice, you may contact Citizens Advice.
17. General Provisions
17.1 Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Booking Confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the Services and supersede all prior representations, negotiations, or agreements.
17.2 Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
17.3 Waiver: A failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right does not constitute a waiver of that right.
17.4 Third Party Rights: These Terms do not confer any rights on third parties under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
17.5 Assignment: The Client may not assign, transfer, or sub-contract any rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our obligations to a suitably qualified successor.
17.6 Notices: Notices must be in writing and sent to the contact details in the Booking Confirmation or at the end of these Terms. Email and WhatsApp are acceptable.
17.7 Amendments: We may update these Terms from time to time. The version supplied with each Booking Confirmation shall govern that booking.
18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
18.1 These Terms and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
18.2 The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms.
Contact Details
- Trading name: North London Drone Surveys
- Proprietor: Joshua Cowan (sole trader)
- Postal address: Finchley Lane, London NW4 1BY
- Email: info@northlondondronesurveys.com
- Telephone: 020 3918 3448
- WhatsApp: +44 20 3918 3448
- Website: northlondondronesurveys.com
- Privacy policy: northlondondronesurveys.com/privacy-policy/
- ICO registration: ZC252390
Client Acceptance
These Terms are accepted by ticking the acceptance box on our contact form, which asks the Client to confirm the following:
- I have read and accept the Terms and Conditions, which apply if I instruct a survey.
- If I am booking as a consumer, I ask North London Drone Surveys to carry out any survey I instruct within the 14-day cancellation period. I understand that I will lose my right to cancel once the survey has been carried out, and that the full agreed fee will then be payable.
These Terms and Conditions were last reviewed and updated: October 2026.