Drone As-Built Survey Services

What Is a Drone As-Built Survey?

A drone as-built survey captures the precise dimensions, positions, and conditions of completed construction works using aerial photogrammetry and survey-grade GPS technology. It creates an accurate record of what was actually built, rather than what was planned, providing essential documentation for handover, compliance, and future reference.

At Drone Survey Services, we deploy the latest UAV technology to capture comprehensive as-built data quickly and accurately. Our surveys document everything from building positions and levels to infrastructure layouts and landscaping, delivering the precise measurements needed to verify construction against approved designs.

James Leslie

Owner, Engineer & Drone Pilot

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Accurate As-Built Records,Delivered Fast

What You'll Receive

• Georeferenced orthomosaic
• As-built CAD drawings
• BIM comparison reports
• Survey-grade accuracy (±2-3cm)

Delivered in 3-5 working days

Why Choose Us

• CAA approved & fully insured
• Construction survey specialists
• Latest DJI & RTK technology
• UK-wide coverage

Trusted by contractors, developers & local authorities across the UK.

Available now — typically respond within 10 mins

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How Much Does a Drone As-Built Survey Cost?

Pricing depends on your project scope. Here's a guide to help you budget:

*Guide prices include standard deliverables. Final quote based on site complexity, access, and specific requirements.

What affects your quote?

• Project size & complexity
• Required deliverables
• BIM comparison needs
• Turnaround time

Our drone-based approach typically saves 50-70% compared to traditional ground surveys while delivering faster turnaround. Contact us with your project details and we'll provide a tailored quote within 24 hours.

What Is the Difference Between Drone As-Built Survey and Traditional Methods?

Traditional as-built surveys rely on ground-based total stations and manual measurements, requiring surveyors to physically access every point on site. This approach is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and often requires scaffolding or access equipment for elevated features.

Drone as-built surveys capture thousands of measurements in a single flight, creating comprehensive 3D models and orthomosaics that document the entire site from above. This aerial perspective ensures nothing is missed, while RTK-enabled GPS delivers survey-grade accuracy without ground control points for most applications.

What Accuracy Can a Drone As-Built Survey Achieve?

Our drone as-built surveys routinely achieve absolute accuracy of ±2-3cm horizontally and ±3-5cm vertically when using ground control points. For most construction verification purposes, this level of precision exceeds requirements and matches or beats traditional survey methods.

We use RTK-enabled drones with real-time GPS correction to ensure precise positioning throughout data capture. For projects requiring the highest accuracy, we establish ground control networks using survey-grade GNSS receivers. The result is reliable, repeatable data that stands up to scrutiny from clients, contractors, and planning authorities.

What Are the Applications of Drone As-Built Survey?

Drone as-built surveys serve critical functions across the construction lifecycle. Here are the key applications where our clients see the greatest value:

Can Drone As-Built Surveys Compare to BIM Models?

Absolutely—this is one of the most powerful applications of drone as-built surveying. We create precise 3D point clouds and models from aerial data that can be directly compared against your design BIM, identifying deviations between what was planned and what was built.

Our comparison reports highlight discrepancies using colour-coded deviation maps, making it immediately clear where construction differs from design intent. Whether you're verifying contractor performance, updating as-built models, or preparing for handover, this comparison capability provides objective evidence of construction accuracy.

What Deliverables Do You Get From a Drone As-Built Survey?

We tailor deliverables to your project requirements, but our standard as-built survey outputs include:

• As-Built Orthomosaic

  High-resolution georeferenced aerial imagery showing the completed development in precise detail, suitable for measurements and annotations.

• BIM Comparison Reports

  Detailed deviation analysis comparing as-built data to design models, with colour-coded visualisations and measurement reports.

• Deviation Reports

  Quantified reports highlighting where construction differs from approved plans, with precise measurements of any discrepancies.

• CAD Files (DWG/DXF)

  Scaled CAD drawings in your preferred format, ready for integration with existing project documentation and design software.

• 3D Models

  Photorealistic 3D models and point clouds for visualisation, measurement, and integration with BIM workflows.

• Completion Records

  Comprehensive documentation packages for project handover, planning discharge, and long-term asset records.

How Long Does a Drone As-Built Survey Take?

On-site data capture is remarkably efficient. A typical housing development can be surveyed in just 1-2 hours of flight time, plus setup and ground control establishment. Larger sites may require half a day to a full day depending on complexity.

Processing and delivery depends on project complexity and your required outputs. Standard deliverables are typically ready within 3-5 working days. For urgent handover deadlines, we offer expedited processing with 24-48 hour turnaround available at additional cost.

How Do I Choose a Drone As-Built Survey Provider?

Not all drone survey services are equal. When evaluating providers for as-built work, we recommend checking these key factors:

• CAA authorisation – Ensure they hold valid GVC or legacy PfCO permissions for commercial operations
• Construction experience – As-built surveys require understanding of construction workflows and client needs
• BIM capability – Can they compare to your design models and deliver deviation reports?
• Professional insurance – Public liability and professional indemnity cover appropriate to construction sites
• Relevant case studies – Request examples of similar construction projects they've documented

At Drone Survey Services, we tick every box. We're CAA approved, fully insured, and have delivered as-built surveys for residential developments, commercial projects, and infrastructure schemes throughout the UK.

Is Drone As-Built Survey Cheaper Than Traditional Methods?

In most scenarios, significantly cheaper. Traditional ground-based as-built surveys require surveyors to physically measure every element of completed construction, often needing scaffolding or access equipment for elevated features. This is time-consuming and labour-intensive.

Our drone approach captures equivalent or better data in a fraction of the time. A development that might take a ground team several days can be surveyed in hours. The cost savings typically range from 50-70% compared to traditional methods, while delivering faster turnaround and comprehensive coverage. For large or complex sites, the economics become even more compelling.