Why Do I Want Aerial Photography?

Read below to help determine whether you could use aerial photography and if it is more cost efficient to outsource, or not.

Never used them, why should I now?

Ultimately, every investment is measured against ROI. There are many benefits to incorporating drone technology into your workflow that will save time and money.

Improved Efficiency: Drones can quickly survey and map construction sites, providing accurate data in a fraction of the time it would take traditional methods. This efficiency translates into faster project timelines and reduced costs.
Enhanced Safety: By utilizing drones for tasks such as site inspections and monitoring, construction companies can minimize the need for workers to be physically present in potentially hazardous areas. This reduces the risk of accidents and improves overall site safety.
Detailed Site Surveying: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors can capture detailed aerial imagery and topographical data. This information aids in better site planning, design accuracy, and progress tracking throughout the construction process.
Cost Savings: With faster data collection and more precise monitoring capabilities, drones help to optimize resource allocation and minimize material wastage. This ultimately leads to cost savings for construction projects.
Project Monitoring and Management: Drones provide real-time insights into project progress, allowing project managers to identify issues early and make informed decisions promptly. This improves project oversight and helps to ensure that construction stays on schedule.
Environmental Impact: Drones can be used to monitor environmental factors around construction sites, such as erosion or vegetation disturbance. This data can inform better environmental management practices, ensuring minimal impact on surrounding areas.
Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement: Aerial footage and imagery captured by drones can be used for marketing purposes, showcasing project developments to stakeholders, investors, and the public in an engaging and visually appealing manner.
Accessibility and Flexibility: Drones can access hard-to-reach or dangerous areas of a construction site more easily than traditional methods, providing valuable data without the need for complex scaffolding or equipment.
Accurate Documentation: Drones can capture high-resolution imagery and videos of construction sites throughout different project stages. This documentation provides a detailed record of site conditions, progress, and potential issues. In case of disputes or claims, these visual records can serve as valuable evidence to support construction companies’ positions.
As-Planned Data Integration: Before construction begins, the project’s as-planned data—which includes architectural drawings, 3D models, and design specifications—is digitized and integrated into the drone’s flight planning software. This allows the drone to overlay the digital design onto the captured aerial imagery.
Comparative Analysis: During and after construction phases, the drone collects updated imagery of the site. The as-built conditions are then compared to the as-planned data using specialized software. The software aligns the digital design elements (such as building outlines, structural components, and infrastructure) with the actual features captured in the drone imagery.
Visualizations and Reports: The comparative analysis results are visualized through color-coded maps, 3D models, or overlays directly onto the site imagery. This visualization highlights areas where the as-built conditions deviate from the original plan, showcasing discrepancies in dimensions, alignments, or structural elements.
Identifying Discrepancies: By analyzing the as-planned versus as-built data, project managers can identify discrepancies, errors, or deviations in construction progress. This could include identifying areas where dimensions are inaccurate, elements are misaligned, or changes have been made without proper documentation.
Decision-Making and Quality Control: Armed with accurate as-built documentation, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding corrective actions, adjustments to future construction phases, or revisions to design plans. The ability to identify discrepancies early enables proactive quality control and helps minimize rework or costly modifications later in the project.

Why would I outsource something I can do on my own?

Deciding whether to outsource drone services or keep drone operations in-house involves considering various factors related to cost, expertise, flexibility, and operational efficiency. Here are compelling reasons why a company might choose to outsource drone services rather than maintaining an in-house drone program:

Cost Savings: Outsourcing drone services can be cost-effective, especially for companies that have occasional or specific drone needs. Instead of investing in purchasing and maintaining drones, as well as hiring and training dedicated drone pilots and operators, outsourcing allows businesses to pay for drone services only when required. This avoids the upfront capital expenses and ongoing operational costs associated with an in-house drone program. To give just a few expenses you could look at $5k to $20k per commercial drone and another $3-6k per year for software licensing.
Access to Specialized Expertise: Drone service providers often have specialized expertise in aerial photography, surveying, mapping, and data analysis. By outsourcing to experienced professionals, companies can benefit from advanced techniques, industry best practices, and innovative technology without the need to build internal expertise from scratch. This expertise can lead to higher-quality deliverables and more actionable insights from drone data.
Flexibility and Scalability: Outsourcing drone services provides flexibility to adapt to changing project demands and scale operations accordingly. Whether it’s a one-time aerial survey or ongoing monitoring of multiple construction sites, outsourcing allows businesses to access the right level of drone support without being limited by internal resources or capabilities.
Regulatory Compliance: Drone regulations and compliance requirements can be complex and subject to change. Outsourcing drone services to reputable providers ensures adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks. Professional drone operators are knowledgeable about airspace regulations, safety protocols, and privacy considerations, mitigating potential risks and liabilities for the client.
Risk Mitigation: Outsourcing drone operations transfers certain risks, such as equipment maintenance, liability insurance, and pilot training, to the service provider. This reduces the burden on the client company and protects against unforeseen costs or operational challenges associated with managing drones in-house.
Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing drone services, businesses can allocate resources more efficiently toward their core competencies and strategic objectives. This allows internal teams to focus on core business activities while leveraging external specialists for drone-related tasks.
Adoption of Latest Technology: Drone service providers often invest in cutting-edge drone technology and software tools to deliver superior results. Outsourcing ensures access to the latest advancements in drone technology without the need for continuous investment in equipment upgrades or software licenses.
Reduced Administrative Burden: Managing an in-house drone program requires administrative efforts related to pilot certification, flight planning, data processing, and compliance documentation. Outsourcing these tasks streamlines operations and frees up internal resources for other business priorities.

Ultimately, the decision to outsource drone services versus maintaining an in-house program depends on factors such as project frequency, budget constraints, desired expertise, and strategic objectives. For many businesses, outsourcing drone services offers a practical and cost-effective solution to leverage aerial technology for improved operational efficiency and decision-making.