Northmark Facility Services provides aerial inspection and documentation for commercial properties in Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead. Our missions are flown by an FAA Part 107 remote pilot and produce organized, dated imagery of roofs, facades, parking lots and entire sites. Owners, property managers and insurers use it to see condition, document damage and keep an objective record over time, without sending people up ladders or onto roofs.
Why aerial documentation belongs with facility services
Most facility vendors only see a building from the ground. Most drone operators only see it from the air, once. Northmark sits in the middle. We clean and maintain buildings, so we understand what an owner actually needs to know, and we document them from above so that information can be seen.
That combination is unusual in the Fargo–Moorhead market. A property manager who already trusts Northmark with janitorial or maintenance work can add roof and site documentation under the same relationship, with the same written scope and the same point of contact.
What we document
| Mission type | What you receive | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Roof inspection | Overview and detail images of the roof surface, drains, penetrations, flashings and rooftop units | Maintenance planning, pre-purchase review, warranty records |
| Hail and storm documentation | Dated imagery after a weather event, with before and after comparison where a baseline exists | Insurance claims, contractor bids, tenant communication |
| Facade and envelope | Elevation imagery of walls, windows, sealants and parapets | Envelope maintenance, leak investigation |
| Parking lot and site survey | Orthographic-style overview of paving, striping, drainage and site features | Paving budgets, snow storage planning, site planning |
| Construction progress | Repeated imagery from consistent vantage points over a project | Owner reporting, lender draws, project records |
| Lease condition | Exterior and roof condition at lease start or end | Lease negotiations, deposit and restoration disputes |
How we fly: Part 107 and local airspace
Commercial drone work in the United States is governed by the FAA's Part 107 rules. Among other requirements, they call for a certificated remote pilot, registered aircraft, flights generally at or below 400 feet above ground level, visual line of sight, and authorization before flying in controlled airspace. FAA rules also require Remote ID broadcast for most registered drones.
Fargo has controlled airspace around Hector International Airport, and Moorhead has its own municipal airport. Many commercial properties in the metro sit inside or near controlled airspace. We check every site before the mission and obtain FAA authorization, typically through the LAANC system, where it is required. If a site cannot be flown legally or safely, we tell you before scheduling rather than after.
Our guide to FAA Part 107 drone inspections explains what property managers should verify before hiring any drone operator.
Our process
- Scoping call or walkthrough. We confirm the property, what you need documented, the deliverable format and your deadline.
- Airspace and site check. We review airspace, obstacles, nearby people and roads, and obtain any required authorization.
- Flight. The mission is flown by our Part 107 remote pilot under the conditions of the rules and any authorization.
- Processing. Images are organized by area and labeled with date and location.
- Delivery. You receive the imagery and a summary of visible observations. Where a specialist assessment is needed, such as a roofer, engineer or adjuster, we say so.
What aerial documentation is, and is not
Aerial imagery shows visible conditions. It is very good at revealing ponding water, debris, damaged membranes, missing flashing, displaced equipment, cracked paving and changes over time. It does not replace a structural engineer, a roofing contractor's hands-on assessment or an insurance adjuster's determination. We document. Licensed professionals diagnose and repair. Our guide to drone vs manual roof inspection covers when each approach makes sense.
Building a condition record over time
The most valuable aerial imagery is often the "before" picture. A roof documented every spring and fall, or before each hail season, gives you a baseline to compare against after a storm. That baseline can make claims, warranty discussions and capital planning much more straightforward. Many clients pair aerial missions with our property condition reports for a complete record.
Fargo property owners can also see our local drone inspection in Fargo page.
Frequently asked questions
Is your drone pilot FAA-authorized?
Yes. Northmark's aerial missions are flown by a remote pilot holding an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate.
Can you fly near Hector International Airport?
Many sites near the airport are in controlled airspace. We check each site and obtain FAA authorization, typically through LAANC, where it is required. Some locations may have altitude limits or need additional approval.
Do you provide a roof condition diagnosis?
We provide imagery and a summary of visible observations. Diagnosis and repair recommendations should come from a roofing contractor or engineer, who can use our imagery.
How quickly can you document storm damage?
We schedule post-storm missions as soon as weather and airspace allow. Imagery is dated so it can support claims and contractor bids.
Sources
Published · Northmark Facility Services.