Measurable data, not just pictures

Without ground control, expect relative accuracy suitable for visual comparison and approximate volumetrics. With surveyed ground control points, absolute accuracy tightens considerably and is documented in the quality report supplied with the dataset. Tell us the tolerance the deliverable has to meet and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right method.

For legal survey, boundary work, or anything requiring a surveyor’s seal, no, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. For volumetrics, progress comparison, as-built checks, planning, and visualisation it is faster, cheaper, and covers far more ground than conventional collection.

Processing scales with site area and the accuracy required, so it is quoted separately from the flying. A small site with no ground control is inexpensive. A large site requiring surveyed control, classification, and multiple deliverable formats is a different job. Send the area and the outputs you need for a fixed number.

That is often the strongest argument for it. Towers, stacks, roofs, and elevated plant can be imaged at close range while operating, with no scaffold, no rope crew, and no working at height exposure. Thermal is available where the inspection calls for it.

A typical few-hectare site is a half day of flying. Processing runs from overnight to several days depending on area and the outputs requested. Larger or more complex sites are scoped individually, and it is usually worth batching adjacent sites into one mobilization.

Regularly, across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Remote sites are frequently simpler from an airspace perspective because they sit outside controlled airspace. Travel is quoted at cost with no markup.