What does a thermographic inspection cost? And why €100 is too cheap to be right
"I found someone who does it for 100 euros." It's understandable that price matters — but in thermography you're not buying a photo, you're buying a diagnosis. And a wrong diagnosis costs more than the most expensive inspection.
Why does this matter?
The price reflects what actually happens. A reliable inspection needs a professional radiometric sensor, an EASA-certified flight, the right timing, radiometric processing and a structured report. A rate of 100 euros doesn't cover that — you then usually get a colour picture instead of a measurable diagnosis that holds up with an insurer or manufacturer.
How is the price built up?
An honest quote takes several factors into account:
- Size and type of installation: a rooftop system, a house or a multi-megawatt array each need a different approach.
- Method: a cross-hatch flight path for a solid insurance file takes more flight time.
- Processing and report: analysing the radiometric data and producing a structured, localised report.
- Context: travel time, flight preparation and whether an expert or insurance file is required.
What a wrong diagnosis costs
Do the maths the other way. A missed hotspot means creeping production loss. A weak file means a rejected or reduced insurance payout. A wrong diagnosis can lead to an unnecessary replacement — or to doing nothing while the problem grows. Against those amounts, the difference between a cheap and a correct inspection is negligible.
Common mistakes
- Choosing on price alone. The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest outcome.
- Comparing price per panel without the method. Without radiometry or a report you're comparing apples and oranges.
- Assuming every "thermal scan" is the same. Ask what exactly is delivered.
Why with a drone (and why Droneview)?
A professional drone inspection has a cost because it delivers a real result: measurable, localised and usable in a file. Droneview works EASA-certified and radiometrically with the Matrice 30T, and gives an honest, transparent price upfront based on what your installation really needs — no surprises, no false certainty.
Frequently asked questions
What determines the price of a thermographic inspection?
The size and type of installation, accessibility, the required method (e.g. a cross-hatch flight path), the processing and report, and whether an insurance or expert file is needed. Travel time and flight preparation count too.
Why is €100 too cheap?
For that amount no one can cover a professional sensor, an EASA flight, the right timing and radiometric processing. What you get then is a colour picture, not a measurable diagnosis.
Will I get a price per panel?
Often for larger arrays, but don't compare price per panel alone: a lower price without radiometry or a structured report costs more if a defect is missed.
Is a more expensive inspection worth the extra cost?
If it prevents a missed defect, a rejected claim or an unnecessary replacement, it pays for itself many times over. The inspection is cheap compared with a wrong diagnosis.
Want an honest price for your installation?
Tell us what you want inspected and get a transparent quote — without false certainty.
Request a quote