E114: Drones, Homes, & Helping Others: Pittsburgh's Drone Company That Puts Neighbors First

What makes Dr. Lori Paluti with Pittsburgh Drone Services a good neighbor?  

A wrong turn into a toy store set Dr. Lori Paluti on a path to reinvent how Pittsburgh cares for its homes and buildings. What started with a tiny quadcopter became Pittsburgh Drone Services, a people-first company using aerial imaging and ground cameras to document properties clearly, respectfully, and without barriers. We dive into how drones reveal the truth about roofs, gutters, chimneys, and foundations, giving homeowners, buyers, and remote investors an honest picture before they make costly decisions.

We talk through the full inspection workflow: high-resolution flights, systematic capture, and visual reports that translate technical findings into plain language. Instead of “gotcha” lists, clients get context, photos, and clear priorities that de-stress planning and support bids, negotiations, and insurance claims. Along the way, Dr. Lori breaks stubborn myths about drones and shares the grassroots outreach that opened doors- setting up at bookstores, letting people handle the aircraft, and proving drones can be community tools for safety, maintenance, and even wedding videography.

The heart of the conversation centers on access. Seeing how many neighbors lacked pathways into tech, Dr. Lori built a workforce track that offers free education and certification with local partners. Graduates earn priority on projects, turning training into real income and strengthening the city’s repair and revitalization efforts. We also reflect on the power of direct, face-to-face contact in an age of forms and inboxes- why a real conversation can surface the detail that changes a repair plan, a budget, or a timeline. And yes, creative hobbies like model trains and dioramas make an appearance, revealing how play fuels clearer, calmer decision-making on the job.

If you care about home maintenance, neighborhood revitalization, or practical ways technology can serve people, this story will land. Listen, share it with a neighbor who worries about their roof, and leave a review to help more Pittsburgh homeowners and investors find practical, people-centered property insights.

To learn more about Pittsburgh Drone Services go to: 

www.pittsburghdroneservices.net

Pittsburgh Drone Services

(412)278-7591

Transcript

Welcome And Guest Introduction

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Lila Carter.

SPEAKER_02 0:12

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a property specialist to ensure that you maintain your status as a good neighbor? Today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Dr. Lori Pelludi with Pittsburgh Drone Services. Dr. Lori, how's it going?

SPEAKER_01 0:32

It's going wonderful today, Elijah. Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 0:35

Thanks for being here. We're excited to learn all about you and your business. So please tell us more about your organization.

Getting Lost And Finding Drones

What Property Drone Inspections Deliver

SPEAKER_01 0:44

Okay, my business was started in 2019. I had been working, I had a business prior to this one. I had a corporate health and wellness business and uh spend many years helping people to feel wonderful. And I made a career change. Um, the technology age was coming about, and I really got interested in technology. Um, and I actually got started with this company by accident. Um, I got lost on a hike, um, and I stopped at this uh toy store uh to get a directions to get back home. And uh they were flying this tiny little quadcopter around the store, and at that point, the any uh knowledge I had was a uh drone to be a military tool. Um, and I walked out with this tiny toy, uh, took it back to work on Monday, and um some folks were explaining to me about it, and I really got interested. Um, and one thing led to another. Um, but my biggest takeaway for starting this business was when I walked out of a toy store being lost, that being lost was a new pathway uh to something totally new that as to why I'm here now. Um, so with that, I always credit that back to uh if you're ever lost, it might be actually teaching you something, um, on putting you on a new pathway. So we focus in on property inspection using drones and uh cameras. Uh, we do a complete documentation of property. We look for uh everything from the roof all the way down to the foundation. We're not a remediation company. Um, so what we do is we document things that are going on with the property that our drones and cameras are able to see. We provide you with a very detailed report, and then we sit down with you and we discuss every single thing. So, in a very respectable way. Um, sometimes people are embarrassed with you know, properties having issues. We remove that immediately. We're your friend when we come in and we want to help you, and that's our goal from the very beginning. Is our goal is not to sit there and kind of, you know, like a building inspector who kind of finds everything wrong but doesn't really offer you much of a solution. Uh, we'll work with other contractors we know to help get you uh the help that you need.

SPEAKER_02 3:16

This kind of service is especially helpful, I feel like, for remote property investors, um people who can't necessarily be on site but need to figure out what's going on and if a property is worth their time and effort, right? Um so whenever you first got lost and then found again, um what made you get into the business of drone services?

SPEAKER_01 3:45

Well, I was starting to think about a career pivot. Um, and uh the one thing I was interested has always been was with technology that can help people. Um so I saw a lot of need in the communities uh that surrounding not only Pittsburgh, but on the suburb suburbs of Pittsburgh, where people were had knowledge about technology but didn't have access. Um, and my goal with the business was to remove some of that access, uh, that those barriers that were help, you know, preventing people from getting employment. Um, I started a workforce division out of the my business. Uh so I said, you know, if I can do this, um, I'd like to bring other people along with me. Uh so I went into communities where people, you know, were struggling with uh uh barriers, employment, housing, just basic life needs. And I said, I will offer you the service of this education for free. Um, and I worked with a lot of partners to help bring that to fruition. And I was able to educate a lot of people and get people certified to be able to fly drones and uh work in the industry.

Community First Business Model

SPEAKER_02 5:05

That's amazing. So now you have a team, I'm guessing, of people who are flying drones all over the city and analyzing these properties.

SPEAKER_01 5:17

Yes, we uh what I do is if I if I you come through any of my programs, you get high priority for all the things that we do. Um, so whatever your expertise is, um, I bring in my so speak graduates, um, and I know I'm going to get quality service because I train them. Um, so I that's how I continue to build my mission um is keeping the business for people. Um, you know, a lot of businesses are focused, you know, strictly on profit, and you know, that's the way business works, right? Um, but uh there's another component to that, and that's relationships with people in the communities that you serve. Um, so my goal is always to be a you know a good neighbor or good friend to people when I go into their neighborhood. I learn about their neighborhood before I even go in there. Um, I learn about the positive things, the things that make that community great, no matter how small it is. Um, I've learned a lot of Pittsburgh communities that people have taught me. Um, and I am so grateful for that opportunity. So that is kind of the heart of the business is uh the the people networking and meeting new people and sharing my abil my craft with them and giving back to the communities.

Debunking Drone Misconceptions

SPEAKER_02 6:41

Yeah, absolutely. And you're also part of the revitalization effort in various neighborhoods across Pittsburgh. So thank you for those efforts. Um are there any myths or maybe misconceptions in your industry that you'd like to talk about today?

SPEAKER_01 6:57

Well, when I first started out um in 2016, uh was my uh officially when things started really moving for the drone industry. Prior to that, um in 2014, um, there was not a lot of information. People view drones as being a destructive, um, you know, they're spying on me, uh, sort of more of a surveillance viewpoint of them. Um, and what I did is it was just me and a table uh and a chair going around Pittsburgh. I I had started with Bournes and Noble. I talked to the managers and I said, I have a mission here to educate people about my discipline and my profession. May I come in and sit and educate people and hopefully they buy some coffee for you and some books. Um, and that worked. It was wonderful. Um, I educated people, I let people hold them, I let people see how they worked. Um, they bought some coffee, they bought some books. Um, so it was a win-win for everybody. Um, but it had to start with education. I was an educator, um, and I had to teach people uh this is what is a misconception, and this is really what we do in the industry. And I think that broke down a lot of barriers for this industry.

Use Cases From Weddings To Roofs

Who We Serve And How We Help

SPEAKER_02 8:22

Yeah, it's so specialized, and I also think it's such a neat skill to learn and so widely applicable, um, even with things like wedding photography, right? Now, people want, you know, the drone flyover shot of the wedding, um, and just various applications with you know home ownership and inspections and things. Um, there's so many different ways to go with this kind of a business. So, and I love your marketing efforts through Barnes Noble. That's so unique and just such a great idea. So, who are your target customers then, and how are you currently attracting them to the business?

SPEAKER_01 9:02

Well, we target residential all the way to commercial. Um, so our goal is to help homeowners, property owners of every uh, you know, kind of every category. Um, and we specialize really in people who are trying their best to rehabilitate their property, um, but they're not sure what's going on with their house, or they're not sure what's going on with their business, um, but they know they have issues going on with it. Um, so the goal is is always is to help that person identify what is that issue, and what do you need to do to correct that issue. Um, so we focus more or less on people who are people who are, you know, sometimes struggling. Um, and uh we try to remove barriers for people, and that's where we generally start is we we start in neighborhoods where people really need the help. Um, you know, there's a lot of business out there, but every business has its clientele in their focus. We like to work with people, the hardworking people of Pittsburgh who are working and trying their best, but sometimes life and barriers get in the way. And we're there to help. We're there to kind of be that middle person there to help you get through that and get you what you need.

The Power Of Face-To-Face

SPEAKER_02 10:31

Absolutely, and to get them that information that they need to know so that they can make those improvements. I grew up watching my father invest in and flip homes all across Pittsburgh, but mainly in the greenfield area. Um, and so, you know, he'd go and purchase these homes and fix them up and make them beautiful again. And I remember being a little girl and telling my father, you know, if if everyone cared like you do about their homes, then the world would be a better place. And you're one of those people that's going to equip someone with the information that they need to know what they need to do in order to improve their properties. And you're a big part of making Pittsburgh beautiful. So I really appreciate what you do. Um, have you ever thought about maybe doing your own podcast to get the word out there about your drone services and all that you can offer to your clients?

SPEAKER_01 11:28

Oh, absolutely. Um, I believe uh it is great when you get to talk to someone face to face. So much of communication in business now is through email and text messaging and websites, uh, which are great mediums, but nothing beats having voice and face with voice, because it helps eliminate a lot of misconceptions. It helps uh, you know, have that great conversation with someone where we truly can tell them about a business or you can tell them about a service and really be able to see their body language and the reaction. Um, so I think that's that's the kind of the really the big heart of it. It's what makes business uh business. I mean, I I consider myself a probably from the beginning of the very first business is an old school businesswoman. Um, and a handshake and a smile sometimes got you a contract, um, and a lot has changed, um, but nothing beats that face-to-face communication.

Hobbies, Creativity, And Balance

SPEAKER_02 12:38

Absolutely agreed, especially in this age of technology where you need to make sure that you're having authentic communication as well. Um, and so outside of work, Dr. Lori, what do you do for fun?

Core Message: Built For People

SPEAKER_01 12:53

Well, I have what I call an and this is something that comes straight from Pittsburgh because I've learned from some of the local hobby stores that are still around that everyone should have a hobby. Um, and I learned that uh from my dear friend in Millvell, uh Bob Mueller, who is no longer with us. Um, but Bob taught me he owned Esther's hobby shop, which is still in Millville. Um, and he taught me the art of having a hobby. He said, you can't work all the time, you have to have some fun. Um, so I took Bob up on his offer and um I started model trains. Uh so I do that is in my spare time. Uh I love the relaxation that trains create. Um, and I'm also a diorama artist. Uh so I do miniatures and miniature scenes and um uh art. Um, I like to explore my creative side. Uh so I'm always building, um making using Legos, which is my biggest thing is Legos. They're everywhere in my house. Um, but it helps with my creative process. I think so deeply at my job. And my job at times is very stressful when I'm thinking deeply on how to solve a problem. So having those hobbies um helps me to kind of just uh get into my creative side, which has helped my business side amazingly. Um, so I always justify when I buy more Legos or more trains, um, that it's helping my business to grow. Um, so that's sort of some of the things I do when I'm not busy out there doing you know work related uh to my business. Um and I like I said, I thank my fellow Pittsburger, um, who I miss dearly, um, uh, for helping me realize that.

SPEAKER_02 14:49

Yeah, maybe rest in peace. Thank you for mentioning him. Um, whenever you get the chance to, um, at Phipps, they have an awesome uh railroad display. And then also during Christmas time at Kennywood, um, we went this year and it was just so cool. Um, they have uh a display where you walk around the entire thing and it's in a building, and it is just so just one of the highlights of the season. Um, so we're just so happy that we get to experience that in winter time, but you should definitely check it out if you haven't. Um so, Lori, please tell our listeners one thing that they should remember about Pittsburgh Drone Services.

How To Contact Pittsburgh Drone Services

SPEAKER_01 15:38

That we are a business built for the people. Um, and I learned that from being a uh University of Pittsburgh graduate, and I learned the history of the cathedral learning that it was built brick by brick by the people. And that stuck with me when I graduated. And I said, Pittsburgh is a town of people, we we care about one another, and I wanted to build my second business on people, helping people, um, and helping people solve these things that sometimes they lay at uh you know, wake at night worrying about. Um, and I wanted to remove barriers for people that you know this can be a high costing technology, or it could be a technology that everyone can uh be able to have. So I I removed the barriers. I I like to think of that as where my business core is. I remove the barriers. Um, and I use every job I ever had before I became an you know an entrepreneur, every job I had, I met people and I learned something. Even from the worst job I had to the best job I had, I learned something, and I bring all that into my business, and that core still comes down to the main core. You have to have to speak to people, you have to understand needs, and that comes through that face-to-face contact. Um, communication gets lost in email. I always say that, um, and it gets misinterpreted. So I would always want people to remember my business for that.

SPEAKER_02 17:22

Yeah, and being personable, and I love that you mentioned Pittsburgh specifically as having that kind of intimate feel. We really do, even though we're a medium-sized city, we have that small neighborhood kind of vibe. You know, everywhere you go, it seems like you're running into someone that you know, right?

SPEAKER_01 17:42

Right.

SPEAKER_02 17:43

Yeah, so thank you. Thank you for mentioning that about our city. Um, how can our listeners learn more about Pittsburgh Drone Services?

Closing And Listener Nomination Info

SPEAKER_01 17:52

Well, you can uh you can go to our website, www.pittsburgdrone services.net, um, or you can reach out by phone. You can call me. Um, my number is 412-278-7591. Um, you can reach out to me directly. I always say you're going to either get my voicemail or you're going to get me on the phone. You're not going to go through a third party person, um, which is another thing that I emphasize with my business is I want to talk to you. Um, I'm not going to, you know, give my voice to someone else uh that speaks on my behalf. Um, I want to be the first point of contact, even though I have to run the business at times, I want to be your first point of contact to talk to you, to get to know you. And now you're not just another number that's calling the our phones or visiting our website. I want to get to know you from the beginning and build a good relationship with you.

SPEAKER_02 18:55

That involvement is so key. And it kind of goes back to you saying that, you know, every job that you've had up until this point, you've learned something that you'd you've been able to use at this job. I'm a firm believer that all of our experiences in life add up to our ability to navigate the present moment the best that we can. So, who better to talk to about your business than you yourself, right? So I really appreciate that level of expertise that you bring to your craft and your focus on education. Um, Dr. Lori, we very much appreciate you being on the show today. And thank you so much. We wish you and your business the very best moving forward.

SPEAKER_01 19:38

Thank you for having me. I very much appreciate talking to you today. Um, and I wish you the best of luck as well.

SPEAKER_00 19:47

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnppittsburgh.com. That's gnppittsburgh.com or call 412 561 9956.