The construction industry has advanced dramatically over the past few years. A few hundred years ago, a custom built home would have been all but a dream. Now, they fill up real estate across the US. Other advancements have changed the way homes are designed, where they are built, how they are heated/cooled, and all the rest. The construction site itself has also changed, and in many ways, that change is more fundamental than what’s being built.
Drones are the most recent example of how technology is impacting the construction industry. Drones are now being used on construction sites to improve safety and increase efficiency. Quite simply, a drone can be an “eye in the sky,” allowing construction managers to see things from an entirely different view. In short, a drone makes it easy to see the “big picture.”
The Benefits of Using a Drone
Drones are reliable, consistent, and can produce excellent quality images and video. This means that a construction manager can monitor their entire workplace without even having to leave the office. As a result, drones can be used to both increase efficiency, and just as importantly, to improve safety.
Drones have come a long way over the past few years. Flight times are improving, as are controls and other aspects. Drones can also carry heavier loads, such as high-quality cameras, as well. These advancements have made it far easier and more practical to deploy drones on construction sites.
Key Efficiency Advantages for Using Drones on the Construction Site
Drones aren’t “just” for pretty imagery. They can be used to increase efficiency. For example, with a drone, you can map out aerial blueprints. These blueprints will allow you to understand how your building fits into the local landscape. You may even identify unseen risks, such as standing water.
With a drone, a construction firm can also create a time-lapsed progress report. This is useful for tracking performance, identifying issues, and presenting to clients. In the past, such time-lapse videos often had to be produced with helicopters, but now any construction firm can put them together.
Take Stunning Construction Marketing Photos
The imagery created by drones is often breathtaking and can be an excellent source for marketing materials. Marketing is one of the most critical business processes for any construction firm, big or small. In most cases, if you wanted great photos, you might have had to hire a professional photographer or buy stock photos. And due to their cost, aerial shots were basically out of the question.
Now, a drone can accomplish the aerial shots for an extremely reasonable cost. With some practice, you’ll be able to take high-quality shots. Or if controlling drones and taking photos isn’t your thing, you can hire a professional drone pilot. Either way, you’ll be able to snap some excellent construction marketing photos with your drone.
Drones Can Increase Construction Site Safety
Another benefit to having a literal eye in the sky has to do with inspections. Drone cameras have the ability to take remarkably detailed shots. This will allow you to identify and record hazards with ease. Once hazards are identified, of course, you can address them.
Importantly, with drones, your inspections don’t have to be limited to inspection sweeps and inspecting crews. You can set up real-time monitoring, and you can view from a vast range of angles. This will allow you to monitor the work as it goes on, and if a risk emerges, you’ll be able to respond quickly.
Safety for construction workers is always the first concern. However, increased safety will produce many secondary benefits as well. For example, you’ll reduce the risk of downtime that can be caused by accidents. You may also reduce the risk of expensive litigation, fines, and other issues.
Drones can help reduce the costs associated with inspections and safety monitoring as well. You’ll have to rely less on inspection crews and more on drones. You’ll also be able to increase the efficiency of your construction site safety staff, allowing them to monitor more of the site at once.
Conclusion: Drones are Becoming a Near Must for Construction Firms
Drones have had a significant impact on photography, geological surveying, and various other areas. Already, drones are producing a notable impact at the construction site level. The most proactive firms can use drones to gain a leg up on their competition.
In the not so distant future, drones will likely become commonplace on construction sites. This means that if you don’t deploy drones, you risk falling behind. Given the wide range of benefits that drones can provide, every construction company should consider using them.
Drones are an investment. However, costs for both drones and cameras have been declining rapidly over the past few years. They are also easier to control and stabilize. All of these developments have made drones more accessible for construction firms and other parties.
