Unmanned Air Services logo
Oblique drone photograph of a Rochester, New York neighbourhood showing streets, homes and tree canopy

Contractors & owners

Construction drone progress capture for GCs and owners

Georeferenced progress data from the same positions every visit, fitted to your project control: orthomosaics and point clouds your VDC team can compare against the model, plus dated photos and video for the owner report.

  • FAA Part 107 Certified remote pilot
  • Insured Certificate on request
  • NYS-Certified SDVOB #269133
  • Level I Certified Thermographer sUAS · Infraspection Institute

What a progress visit includes

Each visit flies a saved flight plan, so every month is shot from the same positions and directly comparable. You choose what comes back:

  • Photo/video set: dated oblique stills of each area of the site plus a short overview clip, ready for the monthly owner report.
  • Progress orthomosaic: a measurable straight-down map of the site each visit, as GeoTIFF and KMZ, for overlaying on drawings and tracking earthwork, paving and structures. See drone mapping.

Photo/video progress visits are $295. Progress orthomosaics are $495 per visit for sites up to five acres (+$25/acre beyond), fitted to your project control for +$150. Both have a three-visit minimum; larger sites and long programs are quoted from the drawings and schedule.

Reality capture for your BIM and VDC team

The same flights produce a georeferenced point cloud (LAS/LAZ) and a textured 3D mesh (OBJ) of existing conditions and each stage of the work. Fitted to the project's control, they drop into Autodesk ReCap, Navisworks, Civil 3D and Revit alongside the design model, so your team can compare what's built against what's drawn, month by month. Reality capture for BIM →

How it works on an active site

  1. Pre-construction existing conditions

    One flight before mobilization records the site, neighbouring property, access routes and laydown. It's cheap insurance against disputes later.

  2. Agree the plan with the superintendent

    Launch point, flight area, crane activity and times are agreed before the first visit. We check in on site every time and never fly over workers.

  3. Same plan, every visit

    Monthly, bi-weekly or at milestones. The saved flight plan means this month's images line up with last month's.

  4. Delivered in open formats

    Photos, video and maps by secure link, organised by date, ready for Procore, DroneDeploy, Autodesk or your own server.

  5. Closeout set

    A final record of the finished project for the owner, the marketing team and the file.

Why owners and GCs use aerial progress records

  • Disputes: a dated, georeferenced record of conditions before, during and after.
  • Owner and lender reports: one image shows more of the site than a dozen ground photos.
  • Remote stakeholders: architects, owners and executives see the site without a site visit.
  • Spec compliance: many Division 01 specifications (photographic documentation) call for periodic aerial photos; we price to the spec.
Overhead drone view of rooftops and driveways in a Rochester, New York neighbourhood
Straight down and to scale

Safety, airspace and insurance

Every flight is flown under FAA Part 107 by a certified remote pilot with airspace authorization in place where required. We carry aviation liability insurance and can name the prime and owner as additional insured where a written agreement requires it. Remote ID–compliant aircraft with anti-collision lighting. On projects subject to the American Security Drone Act (FAR 52.240-1), DJI and other covered aircraft are not used; we'll confirm a compliant aircraft with you before mobilization.

Common questions

How much does construction drone photography cost?
Photo/video progress visits are $295. Progress orthomosaics are $495 per visit up to five acres. Both have a three-visit minimum. Pre-construction conditions start with a Site Map at $495. Larger sites and multi-year programs are quoted from the drawings and schedule.
How often should a site be flown?
Monthly is the most common, timed to the owner report. Fast-moving phases such as earthwork or steel can justify bi-weekly visits.
Can you fly over workers on site?
We don't fly over people. The flight area and timing are agreed with the superintendent, and we work around crane picks and active work zones.
Will the files work with Procore or DroneDeploy?
Yes. We deliver JPEG, MP4, GeoTIFF and KMZ, which import into Procore, DroneDeploy, Autodesk and most GIS tools.
Can you work as a subcontractor on public projects?
Yes. We're a NYS-Certified SDVOB, registered in SAM.gov (UEI HMD7XJ43QEC8, CAGE 25HF7), and work on purchase orders or subcontracts.

Where we fly

Based in Irondequoit and serving Rochester and Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Orleans and Genesee Counties, including Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Fairport, Pittsford, Brighton, Henrietta, Greece, Gates, Chili, Hilton, Spencerport, Victor, Canandaigua, Brockport, Honeoye Falls, Sodus, Williamson, Geneseo, Batavia and Albion. Travel beyond 25 miles of Rochester is $0.75 per mile. FAA airspace authorization near Greater Rochester International is filed by us at no charge.

Ready when you are

Let's get your project in the air

Send an address and what you need. You'll get a straight answer and a clear price, fast.