On-demand Inspections
The short answer: On-demand inspections pay you to document property for others, such as photographing construction builds so banks can release loan draws, or flying a drone over roofs. One inspector reports it: Lou Shaver, a construction loan draw inspector interviewed on The Side Hustle Show, made about $2,000 a month last year and now averages about $4,100 a month. (The Side Hustle Show) Chris Koerner, who pitches drone roof inspections as a side business, says you don't have to quit your job and go full-time. (Chris Koerner)
| One creator's reported part-time earnings | $2,000–$4,100/month 2 reports by The Side Hustle Show, Jul 2026 |
|---|---|
| One creator's reported hours | 20 hrs/week Reported by The Side Hustle Show, Jul 2026 |
From 8 quotes by 2 creators. A creator figure is one person's account.
Go deeper: every source on on-demand inspections
How much do on-demand inspectors make?
On-demand inspection income in Lou's case comes from construction loan draw inspections, photographing builds for banks. Chris Koerner says residential drone roof inspection jobs run a few hundred dollars, with add-ons such as thermal, mapping, social video and site inventory raising the ticket. (The Side Hustle Show; Chris Koerner)
What do people doing on-demand inspections say?
“made about $2,000 a month last year, and is now averaging about $4,100 a month.”
“So if I average $4,100 in a month in income, I've got about $972 in expenses.”
“I've got about $972 in expenses. That includes 780 in gas, 30 bucks in software, 35 in insurance, probably 50 bucks for my cell phone and 75 for the internet.”
“This says I work 91 hours a month. So I took that and computed all my mileage and time and everything. That's not terrible. 20 hours a week.”
What does it cost to start on-demand inspections?
On-demand loan draw inspections cost Lou about $972 a month in expenses, covering gas, software, insurance, his cell phone and internet. For drone roof inspections, Chris lists an FAA Part 107 license, a drone such as a DJI Mavic 3, insurance and analysis software. (The Side Hustle Show; Chris Koerner)
Not enough evidence yet: No source we track states a dollar startup cost yet.
- Earn the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate if you will inspect roofs by drone. (Chris Koerner)
- Get a drone such as a DJI Mavic 3, plus insurance and analysis software.
- Find loan draw jobs through inspection marketplaces. (The Side Hustle Show)
- Win roofers, insurers and property managers through referrals, a Google Business Profile and ads. (Chris Koerner)
- Certifications: FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate (Chris Koerner)
How many hours do on-demand inspections take?
Lou says his on-demand loan draw inspection work comes to about 20 hours a week once he counted all his mileage and time, a load he called not terrible. (The Side Hustle Show)
Who are on-demand inspections good for?
On-demand drone roof inspections suit someone willing to earn the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, which Chris calls an actual license. Lou's monthly expenses include gas, so loan draw inspections mean driving to each build. (Chris Koerner; The Side Hustle Show)
Lou came to the work as a retired Army and Navy inspector. (The Side Hustle Show)
Which platforms do people use for on-demand inspections?
Platforms people doing on-demand inspections use: WeGoLook.
Are on-demand inspections worth it?
Pros
- Lou's loan draw inspection income grew from last year to now. (The Side Hustle Show)
- Loan draw inspection runs on tools with low costs, according to Lou's interview.
Cons
- Gas is the largest item in Lou's monthly inspection expenses. (The Side Hustle Show)
- Chris warns that drone roof work can draw hostile onlookers. (Chris Koerner)
What are the risks of on-demand inspections?
Calling on-demand drone work an inspection can trigger additional licensing requirements in certain states, Chris Koerner warns, so he suggests calling it roof condition documentation. Chris also says metal roofs are a whole different animal because they interfere with the drone's signal. (Chris Koerner)
What are the alternatives to on-demand inspections?
- Delivery Driving as a side hustle: Also in driving and delivery.
- Movers side hustle: Also in driving and delivery.
What else do people ask about on-demand inspections?
Can loan draw inspection lead to other services?
Lou's interview covers a spin-off short-term rental check-up service. (The Side Hustle Show)
Why is demand for drone roof inspections growing?
Chris Koerner and Nik Hulewsky point to retiring insurance adjusters and roof safety costs. (Chris Koerner)
Sources and method
Quotes are verbatim and linked to the moment they were said. A figure from one report is not confirmed by a second source. BLS figures describe employees in the closest related occupation. Every quote, the pay in each state and the full source list are on the every source on on-demand inspections.
- The Side Hustle Show, podcast, 9 Jul 2026.
- Chris Koerner, YouTube, 12 Oct 2025.
Other data behind this page (3)
| Fact | Value | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time or part-time | part time or full time | Accepted | Chris Koerner |
| Common pitfalls | drone signal interference on metal roofs | One report | Chris Koerner |
| Common pitfalls | calling the service an inspection can trigger extra state licensing | One report | Chris Koerner |