Drones have become an increasingly popular tool in the construction industry.
The use of drones is on the rise, with a majority of construction companies already having implemented drone technology. Over 70% of construction companies surveyed by Construction Dive in 2017 said they had already adopted drone technology, and another 25% were exploring it.

Drones can be used to inspect buildings and structures, map large areas, measure distances, detect leaks and identify potential hazards. Drones also allow for remote access to hard-to-reach places and offer a safer alternative to having workers on site.
Drones are being employed in a variety of ways for numerous commercial purposes as they continue to gain popularity and accessibility. The construction sector is where drones are most commonly used commercially. Drones are ideal for a range of construction activities, including surveying job sites and creating precise maps as well as assisting with site security and monitoring. We’ll examine the various drone kinds that are most appropriate for building projects in this blog post and go over some of their major advantages.
On the basis of our own study, we’ll also offer a list of some of the top drones for use in the construction industry. Finally, based on your unique requirements, we’ll provide some guidance on how to pick the best drone for your building job. Therefore, keep reading if you want to launch a drone program for your construction business.
Uses Of Drones In The Construction Industry
The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries in the world. Construction sites are full of hazards, from electrical wires to heavy equipment, and these hazards can cause serious injuries or even death. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 4,679 fatal work injuries in 2015 alone.
Construction companies should do everything possible to protect their workers from these dangers. Unfortunately, there are many situations where workers cannot be protected by traditional methods like hard hats or steel-toed boots. They may need to get up close and personal with large machines or high buildings without any protection at all.
Fortunately, drones can provide an extra layer of protection for workers on construction sites by allowing them to go places they would not be able to reach otherwise.
Construction companies are quickly using drones as an essential tool. These unmanned aerial vehicles can be utilized in a variety of ways, such as to survey the area before building starts, track development while it’s happening, and evaluate the state of the structures once it’s finished.
Drones can be helpful for assessing infrastructure, including cable lines, bridges, and roadways.
Companies can regularly use drones to gather data for their project because they are simple to deploy and inexpensive to run. This can not only help prevent expensive mistakes and delays, but it can also assist spot possible issues early on.
Many jobs, including surveying a region or inspecting structures, may present certain risks to humans if the terrain is hazardous or the structure is tall and unstable, but drones also offer many benefits in these situations.
Workers can perform these operations using drones from a secure vantage point, finishing the job considerably more quickly without sacrificing data integrity.
Drones are also utilized for security and surveillance purposes; criminal gangs frequently target valuable assets like heavy gear used in construction projects.
Drones can be utilized to increase security at the site, particularly when there are no employees present. Certain drone varieties, often with extended flight periods or attached to a power source for continuous monitoring, are appropriate for security applications.
As a result, security staff are able to see the entire site clearly from above, identify any suspicious activity, and maintain tabs on any masked individuals who may be present within the facility’s perimeter.
Here are some ways that drones are being used in the construction industry today:
1. Site survey – A site survey is one of the first things to do before any construction begins. It will provide you with an overview of the entire site and help you get a visual representation of what it looks like at present time.
2. 3D modelling – With the help of drone technology, you can create accurate 3D models of your property which can be used by architects, engineers, contractors and many other professionals involved in building projects. This will help them design buildings in advance so that there are no surprises during actual construction stage.
3. Inspections – Drones can help you inspect your property without having to physically walk around and look at everything closely by yourself! With one click, you can see any potential problem areas from above using thermal imaging or infrared cameras attached to your drone.
4. To get a bird’s eye view of the site – Drones can be used for aerial photography that shows everything from damages on buildings to changes in terrain over time. This helps construction companies identify potential problems before they become full-blown issues that cost thousands of dollars to fix later on down the road.
Drones also allow companies to better plan where new structures should be built or how old ones should be reconstructed based on how much space is available and how many people will be using those areas on a daily basis.
5. For quality control purposes – One of the biggest benefits of using drones in construction is that they allow you to see things from above that you can’t see when you’re standing on the ground looking up at something high above your head. For example, if you’re installing a new roof, it can be difficult to tell if it
Types Of Drones Used For Construction Projects
The finest drone for a construction job will depend on its intended usage and the budget of the organization.
DJI Mavic Mini
Brand | DJI |
Model Name | Mavic Mini |
Color | DJI Mavic Mini |
Control Type | App Control |
Material | Plastic |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Item Weight | 0.75 Grams |
Remote Control Included? | Yes |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Rechargeable Battery Included | Yes |
Drone X Pro LIMITLESS 4 GPS 4K UHD Camera
Brand | Drone-Clone Xperts |
Model | LIMITLESS 4 |
Mirror Adjustment | Remote Control |
Video Capture Resolution | 4K HD |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Wireless Communication Technology | Wi-Fi |
Item Weight | 1.2 Pounds |
Battery Capacity | 5000 Milliamp Hours |
Remote Control Included? | Yes |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Potensic T25 Drone with Camera
Brand | Potensic |
Color | White |
Control Type | Remote Control |
Video Capture Resolution | 2K |
Battery Capacity | 1000 Milliamp Hours |
Remote Control Included? | Yes |

USAQ 550mm Compact Folding Quadcopter Drone Frame Kit Full Carbon Fiber Construction
- Full carbon fiber construction-no fiberglass
- Positive locking folding arms provides easy transport and storage
- Secure during flight or transport
- Lightweight, durable, attractive and compact
- Best for construction supervision and workflow
Construction Drones That Work Best
If you work in the construction industry and want to include drones into your workflow, you must realize that no single drone can meet all of your needs.
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro RTK is arguably the most popular drone for construction; you will need to choose one that satisfies the majority of your needs and falls within your price range. Its affordability, which contributes to its appeal, makes it one of the most affordable commercial-grade drones. The drone is ideal for most mapping requirements for building projects and offers centimeter-level accuracy for surveys. Buy Here
The drones on the list below are just a small sample of those that can be used for construction-related duties, but you should still look around because new models are frequently released and one of them might be better suited to your requirements.
All of the drones on this list were created for commercial use, and as a result, they all have top-notch cameras. Many of them are also compatible with other kinds of remote sensing tools, like thermal cameras, LiDAR sensors, and gas detectors.
All of these drones have some sort of GPS corrective technology, such as RTK, PPK, or both. These drones can generate centimeter-level GPS data and integrate it within each photograph thanks to this technology. Applications for photogrammetry employ the georeferenced data to create precise maps and 3D models.
With the exception of the Phantom 4 RTK, which lacks any IP certification, the majority of these drones have an IP rating that permits them to operate in inclement weather.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways that drones can be utilized in the construction industry. No longer are they just used in adventurous endeavors; they are being implemented everyday. Thanks to their unique abilities, drone technologies have become invaluable to this industry as well as other industries around the world. Although it is still a new concept, potential is endless and drones can be applied to many more situations in the future.