How Construction Companies Are Changing the Industry with Drones

Construction is an ever-evolving industry, with technological advances bringing new products, tools, and materials to the market each year. Drones are one of the latest tech gadgets that are changing the way construction companies conduct surveillance and receive information on their productivity and progress in real-time. Project managers are then able to take this data and use it to prevent hazards and ensure high-quality work.

Let’s take a closer look at how construction companies are utilizing drone technology throughout their everyday processes.

How Do Drones Benefit Construction Companies?

Asian construction worker piloting drone at building site. Image Courtesy of GettyImages

As drones have become more affordable in recent years, they have also gained traction in use as safety tools and productivity logs in the construction industry. Consider these ways that drones can improve the quality of work in a construction project:

• Litigation Defense – Should a construction company ever face litigation, it can utilize footage taken by its drones as evidence.
• Safety – Drones can identify potential hazards and perform inspections in areas of their site that are difficult to reach or view.
• Catch Errors Early – Performing inspections with drones allows project managers to identify faulty work before it leads to more significant problems.
• Material and Asset Management – Drones can be flown over construction sites to ensure all equipment and assets are secure and in place, which improves loss prevention. Additionally, drones can be used to identify suspicious activity or unauthorized individuals on-site.
• Visibility – Management teams and business owners find drone surveillance beneficial for visualizing a project’s progress, as well as viewing the final result.

How Are Drones Used Throughout the Construction Project?

Drones Used Throughout Construction Project. Image Courtesy of GettyImages

One of the main reasons why drones have become so popular for construction use in recent years is their ability to be utilized throughout every step of a project, from start to finish. Construction crews use drones in the following ways:

1. Bidding – Drones are effective tools for creating 3D models of potential worksites, allowing companies to determine feasibility and constructability. They also provide a visual of the final product to prospective clients.
2. Design Phase – Drones are helpful for pre-construction planning, as they offer accurate site information and can identify potential hazard areas well before ground is broken.
3. Construction Phase – During the construction phase, drones are useful for pinpointing safety concerns, aiding in design changes, managing materials, reducing theft, and monitoring progress and productivity.
4. Handover – When a project is complete, drone footage can provide the client with helpful visual information and assist with property maintenance and management.

What Additional Supplies Do You Need for Drone Use?

A drone used for aerial photography, Image Courtesy of GettyImages

If you’ve decided that a drone would be an asset to your construction company and its projects, the first step is to select a model that meets your needs. When determining the ideal drone for your site, consider its range and maneuverability, flight time and battery life, size, and payload.

After selecting your drone, you will also have to invest in a high-quality camera that can perform the specific jobs you intend to complete. Then, consider which software you will need, as this is an essential part of successful drone use. You will need to do a bit of research to identify which program is best suited for your site. Additionally, you may need to invest in GPS systems, geolocation devices, or heat-detecting thermal sensors for your drone.

Of course, if you don’t want to invest in your own drone, camera, licensing, and software, there are a variety of drone services that can assist with your project. These professional drone operators have all of the equipment and credentials needed to complete any construction-related project. Hiring industrial and engineering drone services can save you time and money that would otherwise be spent on equipment and certifications.

It’s easy to see why drones are rapidly gaining traction in the construction industry. With their wide range of beneficial applications, from enhancing employee safety to improving end-products, these devices are quickly paving the way to safer, higher quality construction projects.