Drone Land Survey Services

What Is a Drone Land Survey?

A drone land survey uses aerial photography and photogrammetry to create precise maps and measurements of land parcels, boundaries, and terrain features. Our UAVs capture thousands of overlapping images which are processed to produce survey-grade orthomosaics, digital elevation models, and accurate area calculations.

At Drone Survey Services, we deploy the latest RTK-enabled drones to deliver centimetre-level accuracy across sites of any size. Whether you need to map a single field or survey an entire estate, our drone land surveys provide the detailed, georeferenced data you need for planning, management, and legal purposes.

James Leslie

Owner, Engineer & Drone Pilot

"Got questions? Call me directly - I'm happy to talk through your project."

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Professional Drone Land Survey Data,Delivered Fast

What You'll Receive

• High-resolution orthomosaic
• Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
• Accurate boundary mapping
• Survey-grade accuracy (±2-5cm)

Delivered in 3-5 working days

Why Choose Us

• CAA approved & fully insured
• RTK precision surveying
• Latest DJI drone technology
• UK-wide coverage

Trusted by landowners, farmers, and property professionals across the UK.

Available now — typically respond within 10 mins

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How Much Does a Drone Land Survey Cost?

Pricing depends on your site size and requirements. 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?

• Site size & complexity
• Required deliverables
• Turnaround time
• Access & location

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

What Is the Difference Between Drone Land Survey and Traditional Methods?

Traditional land surveys rely on surveyors walking the site with total stations, GPS rovers, or even chain measurements. While accurate, these methods are time-consuming—especially on large sites—and can take days or weeks to complete.

Drone land surveys capture the same data in a fraction of the time. Our UAVs photograph the entire site from above, creating thousands of data points that we process into accurate maps and measurements. The result is comprehensive coverage that would be impractical to achieve on foot, delivered in days rather than weeks.

What Accuracy Can a Drone Land Survey Achieve?

Our drone land surveys routinely achieve horizontal accuracy of ±2-3cm and vertical accuracy of ±3-5cm when using RTK positioning and ground control points. This level of precision meets the requirements for most planning, agricultural, and property management applications.

We use RTK-enabled drones that receive real-time corrections from base stations, ensuring every image is precisely georeferenced. For projects requiring the highest accuracy, we establish ground control networks and verify results against known survey points. The result is reliable, survey-grade data you can use with confidence.

What Are the Applications of Drone Land Survey?

Drone land surveys serve a wide range of purposes across agriculture, property, and development sectors. Here are the key applications where our clients see the greatest value:

How Much Land Can a Drone Survey in a Day?

Our drones can survey remarkably large areas in a single day. For standard land mapping at 2-3cm resolution, we typically cover 100-200 hectares per day depending on terrain complexity and flight conditions. This represents a significant efficiency gain over traditional methods.

For higher resolution surveys (1cm or better), coverage reduces to around 50-80 hectares per day. Multiple battery sets and efficient flight planning allow us to maximise productive time on site. Even the largest estates can typically be surveyed within 2-3 days, with processed deliverables following within a week.

What Deliverables Do You Get From a Drone Land Survey?

We tailor deliverables to your project requirements, but our standard drone land survey outputs include:

• High-Resolution Orthomosaic

  Georeferenced aerial imagery of your entire site, stitched into a single accurate map. Perfect for visual reference and GIS integration.

• Digital Terrain Model (DTM)

  Bare-earth surface model showing ground elevation. Essential for drainage planning, earthworks, and level analysis.

• Digital Surface Model (DSM)

  Top surface including vegetation, buildings, and features. Used for visibility analysis and feature mapping.

• Boundary Mapping

  Clear delineation of land boundaries, hedgerows, fences, and other boundary features with accurate measurements.

• Area Calculations & CAD Files

  Precise area measurements in hectares/acres, plus DWG/DXF files compatible with AutoCAD and other CAD software.

How Long Does a Drone Land Survey Take?

On-site data capture is remarkably fast. A typical 20-hectare site takes just 2-3 hours to survey, including setup and ground control point establishment. Larger sites of 50-100 hectares can usually be completed within a single day.

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

How Do I Choose a Drone Land Survey Provider?

Not all drone survey services are equal. When evaluating providers for your land survey, we recommend checking these key factors:

• CAA authorisation – Ensure they hold valid GVC or legacy PfCO permissions for commercial operations
• Professional insurance – Public liability and professional indemnity cover appropriate to your project
• RTK/PPK capability – Essential for survey-grade accuracy on land measurement projects
• Processing expertise – Ask about their photogrammetry software and quality control workflows
• Relevant experience – Request examples of similar land survey projects they've completed

At Drone Survey Services, we tick every box. We're CAA approved, fully insured, and have delivered land surveys for farmers, estates, solicitors, and land agents throughout the UK.

Is Drone Land Survey Cheaper Than Traditional Surveying?

In most scenarios, significantly cheaper. Traditional land surveys require surveyors to physically walk every boundary and feature, taking measurements point by point. For a 50-hectare site, this could take a week or more of field work, plus additional office time for drawing production.

Our drone land surveys capture the same—or more—information in a single day. The cost savings typically range from 50-70% compared to traditional methods, while delivering faster turnaround and comprehensive visual documentation. For large rural sites, the economics become even more favourable, making drone surveys the obvious choice for cost-conscious landowners and professionals.