This article was written by Arch Aerial UAS Pilot & Jr. Data Technician Rita Morones, with contributions from Arch Aerial CEO Ryan Baker.

Drone data is now commonplace in the world of construction. What differentiates sophisticated general contractors from those leaving value on the table, are whether they’re fully leveraging the data they’ve collected (or paid for) to full use. Today, construction organizations are using companies like Arch Aerial to monitor progress and assist with other types of data collection through the use of drones and drone data.  

Bidding and Planning

A professional service provider like Arch Aerial can map out undeveloped land to give Estimators or future Project Managers a sense of the layout of the area of interest. This was traditionally done by surveying equipment from the ground, or by manned aircraft like single engine planes or helicopters. Instead, high-quality aerial images from a drone can give more accurate views of any potential issues or considerations that would need to be resolved before equipment even arrives on site.

Progress Documentation or Progress Aerials

As the construction progresses over time, drone data captured on a regular basis can continue to monitor progress by taking aerial photography and videography throughout the entire length of the project. Project Managers and Senior Project Managers can monitor the progress remotely, making conversations with Superintendents easier with remote eyes on site. This can be useful to every party involved in the construction of the project to see what phase of construction has been completed, and how much of the site still needs developed. Keeping all the data collected by the drones the same with each visit will also aid in the record-keeping of the structure to backtrack any issues that might have been missed as the construction has progressed.

Quality Control and Inspections

Drone photography can also be useful for quality control inspections. This can assist Quality Control professionals by helping to quickly monitor and inspect the site for any potential hazards that might arise moving forward. Drone flights over construction sites can also minimize possible worker injuries by inspecting the high-risk places a worker would generally go to inspect on foot. For example, a very tall beam with significant fall-hazard risk no longer requires a worker to be hoisted up to have the beam inspected.  A drone professional can simply fly up and inspect and capture photos and video of all sides of the beam and eliminate any potential danger that could come from a worker being lifted. This can be useful to every party involved in the construction of the project to see how much of the site is already built, and how much of the site still needs to be completed. Keeping all the data collected by the drones the same with each visit will also aid in the record-keeping of the structure to backtrack any issues that might have been missed as the construction has progressed.

Marketing

General contractors can also benefit by ‘double-dipping’ and using the regularly captured aerial data (captured for the operations team) in social media and marketing material. Aerial photography and aerial videography are extremely useful on networks like LinkedIn and Instagram, and can add credibility to a general contractor when Project Owners are looking for a GC that has abundant current work. Marketing professionals within a general contractor can also utilize aerial data in bidding situations, and in collateral built for external or internal audiences.

How do I get drone data on my project(s)?

Companies like Arch Aerial LLC save construction companies time and money. By flying the construction site, processing the data needed, and presenting it to the project team and any designated stakeholders in a timely manner. Ready to investigate adding drone data to your site? Fill out the contact form below and we’ll get the conversation started: