How a cleaning job works
From the first call to the report in your client portal: what happens, what we take care of and what we need from you. These are the questions that come up on almost every first call.
Five steps from call to report
- 01
Intro call
In 30 minutes you tell us about the building: which surfaces, how high, how often they are cleaned now and what isn't working. We tell you honestly whether a drone makes sense.
- 02
Site visit or remote assessment
We look at the facade, the materials and the surroundings: where the pilot stands, where the perimeter goes, and whether there are trees, cables or walkways. For straightforward buildings, drawings and photos are enough. You then receive a quote.
- 03
Permit and planning
We prepare the flight authorisation file and agree a date and time with you. You can follow the schedule on the OPPY platform, our client portal.
- 04
Cleaning or inspection
On the day, we mark out the perimeter and the pilot flies from the ground. We clean with softwash at low pressure or with pressure washing up to 200 bar, using purified water (reverse osmosis water with the minerals removed) and, where needed, an enzymatic or chemical product. The approach depends on the surface and the type of dirt.
- 05
Report on the platform
After the job, the report is waiting in the portal: before and after photos, findings pinned to their location on the facade or roof, and the date of the next scheduled job.
What we need from you
A drone needs far less preparation than an aerial work platform (cherry picker) or scaffolding, but it still needs some. The details depend on the building and the job. We go through them with you during the site visit or remote assessment.
Access to the site
Somewhere to put the equipment and, if needed, access to the roof. A named contact on site on the day makes things much easier.
Room for the perimeter
An area on the ground that stays clear while the drone is flying, such as part of the car park, a side entrance or a stretch of pavement.
Water and power
For each job we agree whether we need a water or power connection on site.
Safety and permits
In Belgium, a drone that sprays falls outside the open category, which is meant for low-risk flights. It needs an operational authorisation in what is called the specific category: the EU category for higher-risk drone operations, set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/947. That authorisation is issued by the Directorate-General Aviation of the FPS Mobility and Transport (Federal Public Service).
On every flight we mark out a safety perimeter on the ground. None of our team works at height: the pilot controls the drone from the ground.
Weather and planning
Wind and rain are the clearest limits of any drone. Beyond agreed limits we don't fly. We watch the forecast in the days before a job and, if the weather turns, reschedule it in consultation with you. You see the new date on the platform.
To keep disruption to a minimum, we look for a slot outside busy hours, within what our flight authorisation allows. We agree this building by building.
Reporting on the platform
Every job ends with a report on the OPPY platform, our client portal. You see before and after photos, findings pinned to their location on the facade or roof, and the full history of the building. Reports export as PDF or CSV for your maintenance plan or ESG reporting, and each colleague gets their own access.
Questions about how we work
How long does a drone cleaning job take?
It depends mostly on the surface area and how dirty the facade or glass is. As a guide, we clean ± 3,000 m² per day, plus the time to set up and mark out the perimeter. After the site visit or remote assessment you get a schedule, so you know how many days the work zone will be marked off.
How soon can you start?
Most of the time before the first job goes into preparation: assessing the building, the flight authorisation and finding a date that suits how the building runs. If you have a fixed deadline, such as an opening or an inspection, mention it on the first call.
Does the building need to be empty during cleaning?
As a rule, no: people inside can carry on as normal. The safety perimeter on the ground does have to stay clear while the drone is flying, and windows, doors and air intakes in the work zone are best kept shut. Which entrances or parking spaces are affected is agreed with you beforehand and shown in the schedule.
Who is liable if something goes wrong?
The risk stays low because nobody works at height and the area below the drone is marked off. If you need the insurance certificate for your own records or for the building owner, we will send it before the first job.
Talk us through your building
In a 30-minute call we go through your building, the timing and what you will need to provide.