Drone LiDAR Survey Services

What Is a Drone LiDAR Survey?

A drone LiDAR survey uses Light Detection and Ranging technology mounted on our UAVs to create incredibly detailed 3D maps of terrain, structures, and vegetation. Unlike traditional photography-based surveys, our LiDAR systems emit thousands of laser pulses per second, measuring the precise distance to every surface they hit.

At Drone Survey Services, we deploy the latest drone-mounted LiDAR sensors capable of capturing up to 300 points per square metre. This creates dense, accurate point clouds that reveal the true shape of the land—even beneath dense tree cover where photogrammetry simply cannot see.

James Leslie

Owner, Engineer & Drone Pilot

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Survey-Grade Drone LiDAR Data,Delivered Fast

What You'll Receive

• Classified point cloud (LAS/LAZ)
• Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
• Contours at your specified interval
• Survey-grade accuracy (±2-5cm)

Delivered in 5-7 working days

Why Choose Us

• CAA approved & fully insured
• Specialist LiDAR processing team
• Latest DJI & sensor technology
• UK-wide coverage

Trusted by surveyors, engineers & environmental consultants across the UK.

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How Much Does a Drone LiDAR 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?

• Site size & terrain
• Required deliverables
• Turnaround time
• Access requirements

Our drone-based approach typically saves 40–60% compared to traditional ground surveys. Contact us with your project details and we'll provide a tailored quote within 24 hours.

What Is the Difference Between Drone LiDAR and Photogrammetry?

Both technologies create 3D models, but they work in fundamentally different ways. Photogrammetry uses overlapping photographs to calculate surface positions—it's excellent for capturing visual detail and works brilliantly on open sites, construction projects, and buildings.

LiDAR, however, fires laser pulses that penetrate gaps in vegetation to reach the ground below. This makes it essential for forestry surveys, flood modelling, and archaeological prospection where you need to see through tree canopy. Our LiDAR systems also work in low-light conditions and on surfaces with poor visual contrast where photogrammetry struggles.

What Accuracy Can a Drone LiDAR Survey Achieve?

Our drone LiDAR surveys routinely achieve vertical accuracy of ±2-5cm and horizontal accuracy of ±5-10cm when using ground control points. This level of precision meets or exceeds the requirements for most engineering, environmental, and planning applications.

We use RTK/PPK-enabled drones with integrated GNSS and IMU systems to ensure precise positioning of every laser return. For projects requiring the highest accuracy, we establish ground control networks and process data using rigorous adjustment workflows. The result is survey-grade data you can rely on for critical decisions.

What Are the Applications of Drone LiDAR Survey?

Drone LiDAR has transformed how we capture terrain data across numerous industries. Here are the key applications where our clients see the greatest value:

Can Drone LiDAR Survey Penetrate Tree Canopy?

Yes—this is LiDAR's superpower. Our systems fire thousands of laser pulses per second, and while some hit leaves and branches, others find gaps in the canopy and continue through to the ground below. We capture multiple returns from each pulse, allowing us to map both the canopy surface and the true terrain beneath.

In typical UK woodland, we achieve ground point densities of 5-20 points per square metre even under full leaf cover. During leaf-off conditions in winter, penetration rates improve further. This makes drone LiDAR the only practical technology for creating accurate ground models in vegetated areas—essential for forestry, flood modelling, and archaeological applications.

What Deliverables Do You Get From a Drone LiDAR Survey?

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

• Classified Point Cloud (LAS/LAZ)

  Full resolution point cloud with ground, vegetation, and structure classifications. Compatible with all major GIS and CAD software.

• Digital Terrain Model (DTM)

  Bare-earth surface model with vegetation removed. Essential for flood modelling, earthworks design, and volume calculations.

• Digital Surface Model (DSM)

  Top surface including vegetation and structures. Used for visibility analysis, canopy studies, and 3D visualisation.

• Canopy Height Model (CHM)

  Vegetation height above ground level. Invaluable for forestry inventory, biomass estimation, and habitat assessment.

• Contours & Cross-Sections

  Contour lines at your specified interval, plus cross-section profiles for engineering design and analysis.

How Long Does a Drone LiDAR Survey Take?

On-site data capture is remarkably fast. We can survey 50-100 hectares per day depending on terrain and flight conditions. A typical 10-hectare woodland site takes just 2-3 hours of flight time, plus setup and ground control establishment.

Processing and delivery depends on project complexity and your required outputs. Standard deliverables are typically ready within 5-7 working days. For urgent projects, we offer expedited processing with 48-72 hour turnaround available at additional cost. We'll confirm realistic timescales when we quote your project.

How Do I Choose a Drone LiDAR Survey Provider?

Not all drone LiDAR services are equal. 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
• LiDAR-specific experience – LiDAR requires specialist knowledge beyond standard drone surveys
• Processing capability – Ask about their software and workflows for point cloud classification
• Relevant case studies – Request examples of similar projects they've completed

At Drone Survey Services, we tick every box. We're CAA approved, fully insured, and have delivered LiDAR projects across forestry, archaeology, infrastructure, and environmental sectors throughout the UK.

Is Drone LiDAR Survey Cheaper Than Traditional Surveying?

In most scenarios, yes—significantly. Traditional ground-based surveys of vegetated sites require teams of surveyors cutting sight lines through vegetation, working slowly and expensively through difficult terrain. Terrestrial LiDAR scanners are powerful but require multiple setup positions and significant field time.

Our drone LiDAR captures equivalent or better data in a fraction of the time. A woodland site that might take a ground team a week can be flown in hours. The cost savings typically range from 40-60% compared to traditional methods, while delivering faster turnaround and often higher point densities. For large or difficult sites, the economics become even more favourable.