Drone Measured Building Survey Services

What Is a Drone Measured Building Survey?

A drone measured building survey captures precise external dimensions of buildings using aerial photogrammetry. Our UAVs photograph every facade, roof plane, and architectural feature, creating accurate 3D models from which we extract comprehensive measurement data.

At Drone Survey Services, we combine high-resolution aerial imagery with advanced processing to deliver elevation drawings, facade measurements, and 3D building models. This approach is particularly valuable for buildings where traditional access is difficult, dangerous, or would require expensive scaffolding.

James Leslie

Owner, Engineer & Drone Pilot

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Accurate Building Dimensions,No Scaffolding Required

What You'll Receive

• Scaled elevation drawings
• 3D building model
• Facade measurements
• CAD-ready files (DXF/DWG)

Delivered in 3-5 working days

Why Choose Us

• CAA approved & fully insured
• No scaffolding or access equipment
• Architect-ready deliverables
• UK-wide coverage

Trusted by architects, surveyors & property developers across the UK.

Available now — typically respond within 10 mins

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How Much Does a Drone Measured Building Survey Cost?

Pricing depends on building size, complexity, and required deliverables. Here's a guide to help you budget:

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

What affects your quote?

• Building size & height
• Architectural complexity
• Required deliverables
• Access & location

Our drone approach eliminates scaffolding and cherry picker hire, often saving 30-50% compared to traditional measured building surveys. Contact us with your project details for a tailored quote within 24 hours.

What Is the Difference Between Drone Measured Building Survey and Traditional Methods?

Traditional measured building surveys require surveyors to physically access every part of a building—often using scaffolding, cherry pickers, or rope access for upper levels and roofs. This is time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes impossible for certain buildings.

Drone measured building surveys capture the entire exterior from the air in a fraction of the time. Our UAVs photograph all facades, roof areas, and architectural details without scaffolding or working at height. The result is comprehensive coverage that often exceeds what traditional methods can achieve—particularly for complex rooflines and inaccessible areas.

What Accuracy Can a Drone Measured Building Survey Achieve?

Our drone measured building surveys routinely achieve accuracy of ±10-20mm on facade dimensions when using ground control points. For most architectural and planning applications, this exceeds the tolerances required by RICS guidelines.

We establish survey control using RTK GPS and place coded targets on the building where accessible. Our processing workflow uses photogrammetric adjustment to ensure consistent accuracy across all facades. For projects requiring higher precision, we can combine drone capture with terrestrial survey checks to achieve ±5mm or better.

What Are the Applications of Drone Measured Building Survey?

Drone measured building surveys serve a wide range of property and construction professionals. Here are the key applications where our clients see the greatest value:

Can Drones Capture Building Interiors?

Standard outdoor drones are designed for exterior surveys only. Flying inside buildings presents significant challenges—GPS doesn't work indoors, there's no room for safe manoeuvring, and the risk of collision is high. Our drone measured building surveys focus on external facades, roofs, and building envelopes.

For interior surveys, we offer complementary terrestrial laser scanning and handheld SLAM scanning services. These can be combined with drone exterior surveys to create comprehensive whole-building models. If you need internal floor plans alongside external elevations, we can provide an integrated package.

What Deliverables Do You Get From a Drone Measured Building Survey?

We tailor deliverables to your project requirements, but our standard measured building survey outputs include:

• Elevation Drawings

  Scaled elevation drawings of all facades with key dimensions annotated. Supplied as PDF and DWG/DXF files.

• 3D Building Model

  Textured 3D mesh model of the complete building exterior. Available in OBJ, FBX, or other common formats.

• Orthomosaic Facades

  True-to-scale photographic images of each facade, corrected for perspective distortion and suitable for condition recording.

• Roof Plan

  Plan view of the roof showing all planes, features, and key dimensions. Essential for roofing specifications and drainage design.

• CAD Files

  All drawings supplied in DWG and DXF formats, ready for import into AutoCAD, Revit, or other design software.

• High-Resolution Imagery

  Full set of aerial photographs capturing all building details. Invaluable for condition assessment and defect identification.

How Long Does a Drone Measured Building Survey Take?

On-site data capture is remarkably fast. A typical residential or small commercial building takes 1-2 hours to survey completely—including all facades and roof areas. Larger or more complex buildings may take half a day.

Processing and deliverable production typically takes 3-5 working days for standard projects. Complex buildings with detailed architectural features may require additional processing time. For urgent projects, we offer expedited turnaround options.

How Do I Choose a Drone Measured Building Survey Provider?

Not all drone survey providers offer the same quality of measured building work. When evaluating providers, 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
• Survey experience – Drone photography is different from measured surveys—check they understand dimensional accuracy
• CAD capability – Ask about their drawing production workflow and output formats
• Relevant examples – Request case studies of similar building surveys they've completed

At Drone Survey Services, we tick every box. We're CAA approved, fully insured, and have delivered measured building surveys for architects, heritage consultants, and property professionals throughout the UK.

Is Drone Measured Building Survey Cheaper Than Traditional Methods?

In most cases, yes—often significantly. Traditional measured building surveys of multi-storey buildings typically require scaffolding hire, cherry picker rental, or specialist rope access. These access costs alone can exceed the entire price of a drone survey.

Our drone approach captures all exterior surfaces in hours rather than days, with no access equipment needed. Typical savings range from 30-50% compared to traditional methods, while often delivering more comprehensive data—particularly for roof areas that would otherwise require expensive access solutions.