New England Aerial Cleaning Co. started, simply enough, with a problem that had to have a

better solution. For Dennis Croteau, he was looking for the best approach to clean his own roof

of moss and algae, that did not require the traditional ladders or scaffolding. Croteau is an

aviation flight test engineer with a Masters Degree in Engineering and is always searching to

apply technology to common solutions. As an avid reader of aviation and tech publications, he

found a company that designed drones specifically for the application of exterior washing and

began developing his company from the ground up – using this technology to help others in the

same position he found himself.

As a hobbyist drone operator, he was using the technology to take photos and videos for

pleasure. Croteau decided to become an FAA licensed commercial drone operator, taking love

of flying and his entrepreneurial spirit to achieve something special and provide necessary

service for his community that goes beyond traditional power-washing operation.

Investing tens of thousands of dollars in high-end equipment was a leap of faith, Croteau says,

but so was investing in himself. He had never seen a business like New England Aerial

Cleaning – so he asked around for feedback and made a joint decision with his wife to use their

savings to pursue this unique venture. He calls it a huge risk, but it has paid off as he is always

expanding his clientele – giving homes and other buildings a cleaner look at an affordable rate.

Beyond the roof washing that started it all, he also offers solar panel cleaning, house washing,

and deck and patio washing. Croteau says his business sets itself apart from competitors by

eliminating the need for lifts or scaffolding – the setup of which requires a workable footprint for

the equipment, time and resources that he feels can be better allocated toward the actual

execution of the job. He says using a drone makes cleaning steep tall peaks or pitched roofs

much easier as a business operator – and less risky as a crew member, as he does not need to

ascend himself. His drone covers over three hundred square feet a minute, speeding up the

cleaning process and allowing him to take on more jobs than an average cleaning service and

he passes that time savings on to his customers by offering a lower rate than traditional house

washing companies.

Croteau says he has formed a sturdy relationship with Connecticut realtors and homeowners

looking to list their houses and is a member of the New Haven Middlesex Realtors Association – as people try to sell their homes, they want a clean exterior to make the space more appealing

from the outside. Enter Dennis Croteau: the drone knocks out a cleaning job in minutes and he

can move on to the next job – and the next, and the next.

A positive element of his quicker jobs, Croteau says, is that he gets to spend more time with his

wife, two daughters, and son. He is on the Board of Directors and coaches his daughter’s

lacrosse team in his free time, and the Croteau clan enjoys spending time in Vermont – skiing in

the winter and boating in the summer. As New England Aerial Cleaning Co. takes off, now a few

years in, it appears there will be plenty of time and resources to continue enjoying his loved

ones’ company for years to come.