Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the website droneservicesireland.ie and the provision of all services by Drone Services Ireland (hereinafter referred to as “DSI”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). By using our website or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these terms.

These terms should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

2. Definitions

• “Client” refers to any individual, company, or organisation that engages DSI to provide services.
• “Services” refers to all drone survey, inspection, mapping, monitoring, and related services offered by DSI.
• “Deliverables” refers to all data, reports, maps, models, imagery, point clouds, and other outputs produced as a result of our services.
• “Project” refers to a specific scope of work agreed between DSI and the Client.
• “Quote” or “Quotation” refers to a written estimate of costs provided by DSI for a defined scope of work.

3. Quotations & Pricing

All quotations provided by DSI are valid for a period of 30 days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated in writing.

• Pricing is fixed as quoted. We do not apply hidden costs or surcharges after a quote has been accepted.
• All prices are quoted in Euro (€) and are exclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 23%) unless otherwise stated.
• If the scope of a project changes after a quote has been accepted, a revised quotation will be issued and must be approved before additional work proceeds.
• Travel costs outside the Greater Dublin Area may apply and will be clearly stated in the quotation.

4. Booking & Scheduling

All drone operations are subject to the following conditions:

• Weather Conditions: Drone flights are weather-dependent. Operations may be postponed due to high winds, rain, fog, or poor visibility. DSI will reschedule at the earliest suitable date at no additional cost.
• Airspace Permissions: DSI will obtain all necessary permissions from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and coordinate with any relevant airspace stakeholders. This process may require advance notice of up to 10 working days for controlled airspace.
• Site Access: The Client is responsible for ensuring DSI has legal access to the project site, including any necessary permissions from landowners, site managers, or third parties.
• Health & Safety: DSI will provide risk assessments and method statements for all operations. The Client must inform DSI of any site-specific hazards prior to the scheduled date.

5. Weather & Cancellations

Drone survey operations are inherently weather-dependent. The following cancellation terms apply:

• Weather Cancellations: If a scheduled operation is cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions, DSI will reschedule at the earliest available date at no additional cost to the Client.
• Client Cancellations: Cancellations made by the Client with more than 48 hours’ notice will incur no charge. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the quoted price to cover preparation and scheduling costs.
• No-Show: If DSI attends a site and is unable to operate due to reasons within the Client’s control (e.g., denied site access, incomplete site preparation), a call-out fee may apply.

6. Airspace & Permissions

DSI operates in full compliance with EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) regulations and IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) requirements.

• We hold EASA STS-01 and STS-02 certifications, along with IAA Specific Category authorisation for complex operations.
• DSI will handle all airspace notifications, NOTAM submissions, and coordination with air traffic control where required.
• The Client is responsible for providing site access permissions, including any consents required from landowners or site operators.
• Operations in controlled airspace, restricted areas, or near aerodromes may require additional lead time for approval.

7. Deliverables

Turnaround times for deliverables will be stated in the project quotation. Unless otherwise agreed:

• Standard deliverables (orthomosaics, point clouds, elevation models) are typically provided within 2 working days of data capture.
• Complex deliverables (full topographic surveys, volumetric reports, 3D models) may require 3–5 working days.
• File formats will be as agreed in the quotation. Common formats include GeoTIFF, LAS/LAZ, DXF, DWG, PDF, and MP4.
• Deliverables are provided via secure download link or cloud transfer. Physical media can be arranged on request.

8. Data Ownership

Upon full payment, the Client owns all survey data, imagery, and deliverables produced during the project. This includes:

• All raw and processed aerial data.
• All maps, models, reports, and other outputs.
• The right to use, modify, and distribute deliverables for any purpose.

DSI retains no claim to Client data or deliverables once payment has been received in full.

9. Accuracy & Limitations

DSI strives to deliver the highest possible accuracy on every project. The following should be noted:

• Survey accuracy is as stated in the project quotation and is typically ±5cm horizontal and ±5cm vertical when using RTK positioning with ground control points.
• Accuracy may vary depending on site conditions, vegetation cover, terrain, and weather at the time of capture.
• Drone surveys are not a substitute for legal boundary surveys, which must be conducted by a licensed land surveyor.
• LiDAR data accuracy in heavily vegetated areas may be reduced due to canopy density. DSI will advise on expected performance during the quotation stage.
• All accuracy figures are stated as root mean square error (RMSE) relative to independently measured ground control points.

10. Liability

DSI carries comprehensive insurance to protect our clients:

• Public Liability Insurance: €6.5 million cover for third-party injury or property damage.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Cover for errors or omissions in our professional services and deliverables.
• Equipment Insurance: Full replacement cover for all drone equipment.

DSI’s total liability in respect of any single project shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client for that project, except in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct. DSI shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental losses arising from the use of our services or deliverables.

11. Payment Terms

• A deposit of 50% of the quoted price is required to confirm a booking. The deposit is payable upon acceptance of the quotation.
• The remaining balance is due upon delivery of the final deliverables.
• Approved account holders may avail of 30-day payment terms. Account applications are subject to approval.
• Payment may be made by bank transfer, cheque, or card payment.
• Late payments may be subject to interest at a rate of 2% per month on the outstanding balance, in accordance with the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012.

12. Intellectual Property

DSI retains the right to use anonymised aerial imagery and data from projects for marketing, portfolio, and promotional purposes, including on our website, social media, and marketing materials.

• No Client-identifiable information will be used without prior written consent.
• Clients may opt out of any marketing use at any time by notifying us in writing.
• This clause does not affect the Client’s full ownership of their deliverables as described in Section 8.

13. Force Majeure

DSI shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform our obligations where such delay or failure results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Adverse weather conditions rendering drone operations unsafe or impractical.
• Airspace restrictions, NOTAMs, or emergency airspace closures imposed by the IAA or other authorities.
• Equipment failure or damage that could not reasonably have been anticipated.
• Acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, or government-imposed restrictions.
• Power outages, telecommunications failures, or other infrastructure disruptions.

In the event of a force majeure situation, DSI will notify the Client as soon as practicable and make every reasonable effort to resume services at the earliest opportunity.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts.

15. Contact

If you have any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

Drone Services Ireland
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 087 205 2331