"if you're using drones, try to keep them at a higher altitude and zoom in rather than hovering too close."
Good tip on drone altitude—definitely cuts down on neighbor anxiety. I'd also suggest snapping some quick photos of problem areas beforehand. Makes it easier to cross-reference later when the invoice arrives...saved me a few headaches already.
Good call about snapping photos beforehand—I started doing that last year, and it's been a lifesaver when invoices come in higher than expected.
"if you're using drones, try to keep them at a higher altitude and zoom in rather than hovering too close."
I agree with this generally, but sometimes zooming from too high up makes it tough to see smaller issues clearly, like cracked flashing or minor shingle damage. Have you found a sweet spot altitude-wise that balances clear images with neighbor privacy concerns? I've been experimenting around 30-40 feet up, seems decent enough without causing too much fuss...but I'm curious if others have found something better.
I've found around 25-35 feet usually hits the sweet spot for me. Any higher and I start losing detail on those sneaky little cracks or lifted shingles. Lower than that, and I feel like I'm invading my neighbors' BBQs, haha. Also depends a bit on your drone's camera quality—mine's decent but not pro-level, so altitude matters more. Trial and error, mostly...but 30 feet-ish seems to be my go-to lately.
