If your building has received a Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI) notice from BCA, the next question is usually a simple one: how much is this going to cost?
The honest answer is that it depends on what is included. Two quotes for the same building can differ by thousands of dollars, simply because one covers the whole inspection and the other covers only part of it.
Here is how the cost breaks down, so you can compare quotes properly.
What a PFI is made of
01
Visual surveyPhotographing every side of the buildingDrone $900–2,000 · Gondola or scaffold $6,000+02
Close-range checksHands-on checks on at least 10% of each sideAround $1,200–8,000, by access method03
Competent PersonLeads the inspection and submits the report to BCAQuoted separately04
RepairsFixing any defects the inspection findsA separate job, never part of an inspection quoteWhat are you actually paying for?
A PFI is not a single job. It is usually made up of four parts, and they are not always quoted by the same company.
| Part | What it is | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Visual survey of the facade | Photographing every side of the building. This can be done by drone, by the facade inspector with a camera on a tripod from the ground, or from gondolas, scaffolding or rope access. | Drone: $900–2,000 for a typical residential block. Gondola or scaffold: $6,000 and above. |
| Close-range checks | Hands-on checks, such as tapping and scanning, on at least 10% of each side of the building. These still need physical access. | Depends on the access method: lorry crane with a man basket around $1,200; boom lift $1,300–2,000; rope access $2,000–8,000, depending on the number of drops (vertical runs down the building). |
| Competent Person | A Professional Engineer or Registered Architect who leads the inspection and submits the report to BCA. A facade inspector from the drone or close-range access provider can help compile the report; the Competent Person checks it for accuracy and compliance before submitting. | Quoted separately, as it depends on the size of the building and the depth of the report. |
| Repairs | Fixing any defects the inspection finds. This is a separate job, and is never part of an inspection quote. | Depends entirely on what is found |
Typical costs, on one scale
FromUp to
Why do quotes vary so much?
Mostly because they are not quoting for the same thing.
Price guides published by facade inspection providers in Singapore range from about $1,500 for a drone survey on its own to $10,000–$19,000 or more for a full PFI package, depending on the height of the building. Both can be accurate. They simply describe different scopes of work.
Same building, different scope
Drone survey on its own
about $1,500
One part of the PFI
Full PFI package
$10,000–$19,000+
Depending on the height of the building
Before comparing two quotes, check that both include the same four parts above. A low quote that leaves out the Competent Person or the close-range checks is not cheaper. It just moves the cost somewhere else.
One more thing to check: the facade inspector must be independent. Since October 2025, they cannot come from the building owner, the company that built the building, or any contractor doing facade or repair works on it.
What makes a PFI cost more or less?
Six things move the price most:
- Height. Taller buildings take longer to survey and need more access for close-range checks. For rope access, every extra drop adds cost.
- Number of sides and blocks. More elevations mean more flying time and more checks. Estates with several blocks can often be quoted together.
- Facade type. Mixed materials, deep recesses, sunshades and curtain walls take longer to inspect.
- Location. Sites near airports or in restricted airspace need extra approvals, which can take up to four weeks. Some sites within 5 km of Changi or Seletar Airport must also be flown with a tethered drone, connected to the ground by a power line, which adds to the cost.
- Access on the ground. Covered walkways, trees and nearby buildings can limit where a drone or gondola can work.
- Urgency. A rushed job, close to BCA’s deadline, leaves fewer options and usually costs more.
Is a drone cheaper than a gondola?
For the visual survey, usually yes. A drone can photograph a typical residential block in half a day to a day. Setting up gondolas or scaffolding for the same job can take several days, and costs from around $6,000 before anyone has looked at the facade.
A drone does not remove the need for close-range checks. What it does is show the Competent Person exactly where those checks are needed, so the physical access can be smaller, shorter and better targeted.
There are other savings too: less disruption for residents, no rigging over balconies, and a complete photographic record of the building to compare against at the next inspection, seven years later.
See how our drone facade inspection for PFI in Singapore works, from the BCA notice to the report.
Thinking of buying a drone and flying it yourself? See should you fly your own drone or hire a professional?
How can we keep the cost down?
- Start when BCA’s advisory arrives, about a year ahead. Planned work costs less than rushed work.
- Ask whether the inspection can be timed with repair and redecoration works you are already planning, so access is set up only once.
- Ask for one quote that covers all four parts, or make sure separate quotes fit together with no gaps.
- If you manage several blocks, ask for them to be quoted together.
What should I ask before accepting a quote?
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the Competent Person’s fee included? | Without a Competent Person, there is no PFI report for BCA. |
| Are the close-range checks included? | They are required on every side of the building, and often quoted separately. |
| Are the drone permits included? | Every commercial drone job needs a CAAS permit for that site and date. |
| What happens if weather stops the flight? | A good quote covers rescheduling without extra charge. |
| Is the report ready for BCA submission? | A photo set alone is not a PFI report. |
The short version
The cost of a PFI depends on what is included. A drone survey of a typical residential block costs $900–2,000, against $6,000 and above for gondola or scaffold access, but a complete PFI also needs close-range checks, which cost around $1,200–8,000 depending on the access method, and a Competent Person’s report.
Compare quotes part by part, start early, and ask what is left out. The cheapest quote is only cheap if it covers the whole job.
See also: PFI Singapore: drone facade inspection, when is your PFI due? , what a drone operator needs to fly legally and whether to fly your own drone or hire a professional.