Bluesky helps NHBC investigate damage to homes

25 March 2008, 1:51pm

Aerial survey specialist Bluesky is supplying the UK’s NHBC (National House-Building Council) with aerial photographs to assist in investigations of structural defects in new homes. Bluesky’s aerial images provide a snapshot of land use prior to construction helping NHBC engineers identify possible causes of structural defects such as trees, standing water or previous ground workings. Bluesky identifies the appropriate images for NHBC based on the exact location of the claim property and the date construction commenced.

NHBC is the standard setting body and leading warranty and insurance provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK. Working with the house-building and wider construction industry they provide risk management services that raise the standards of new homes, and provides consumer protection to new homebuyers. “The Bluesky aerial imagery is a useful tool for investigating claims from homeowners,” commented Clive Entwistle, Principal Engineer of NHBC. “With compelling evidence of land use prior to construction we can identify possible causes of damage and non compliance with our Technical Requirements that may help to validate a claim.”

The NHBC has approximately 20,500 house builders and developers on their Register, all of whom agree to comply with published Rules and Standards. More than 80% of the new homes built in the UK each year are registered with NHBC and benefit from their 10 year warranty and insurance policy ‘Buildmark’. Around 1.7 million homeowners are currently covered by Buildmark policies and over the past 70 years NHBC has protected more than 30% of all houses in the UK.

“The Bluesky imagery offers exceptional levels of detail clearly depicting a site and it’s surrounding area prior to construction,” continued Entwistle. “This allows us to establish possible causes of ground movement that may be responsible for structural damage. For example, we can pick out individual trees, ponds or evidence of made ground. The geographical coverage and age of imagery is crucial and Bluesky deliver the images we need.”

Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations. Bluesky also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital maps, site plans, satellite imagery, aerial photography and ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.

Website: www.bluesky-world.com
Enquiries to Bluesky sales on +44 (0)1530 518 518

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