Which Drone Companies Should You Use for Surveys and Site Maps?
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I review many proptech solutions, and most cutting-edge tech is not ready to deploy in the real estate industry. But drones are one technology that’s consistently creating value. A number of proptech startups have mixed drones with LIDAR and machine vision to perform site inspections and track site progress. And over time, I expect to see better-than-human accuracy at lower-than-human costs. Here’s what you need to know if you’re in real estate.
Why Drones Are So Effective
Drones are a standout technology in proptech because of three key capabilities:
First, they can reach places that would be much more difficult, and therefore costlier for a human to get to—a bird’s-eye view. And humans, unlike drones, create liabilities when you put them in dangerous places. Limiting liabilities can sometimes results in the added bonus of lower insurance costs.
Second, high resolution cameras can see a lot of detail from the bird’s eye view. In fact, when combined with GPS, they can be accurate to within millimeters– well within the tolerances for most construction purposes. So once again, drones tend to be cheaper than a human walking around a site with rudimentary measurement tools.
And third, they’re fast. They can fly above or through a site in minutes, capturing detail and making accurate measurements far faster than any human. Of course, this saves more money.
Applications of Drones in Real Estate and Construction
Drones are no longer just high-tech toys for hobbyists or tools for cinematographers. They’ve infiltrated the real estate industry, offering a range of applications that save time, money, and manpower while delivering superior results.
Drone Application 1: Surveys and Topological Mapping
Traditional methods for surveying large plots of land can be labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error. With high-resolution cameras and advanced GPS technology, drones can quickly capture detailed aerial images and create precise topological maps.
Wingtra
Wingtra is a leading VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone solutions provider that services multiple industry verticals. You might be wondering, “Aren’t all drones VTOL?” Sure, but the WingtraOne drone has wings to cover greater areas even faster than regular drones. It uses photogrammetry, LIDAR, and a 61MP sensor to generate land surveys with an accuracy of less than 1cm. Wingtra also offers construction site management services.
Pricing Model: You’ll need to contact them to get a quote or book a demo (which is one of my pet peeves), but Wingtra’s pricing is based on the region and payload configuration of the WingtraOne. Additional services or software packages may be required- it’s tailored to the client’s needs.
Darling Geomatics
Darling Geomatics provides comprehensive drone surveying services for major commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and engineering projects. They also provide FAA-licensed pilots with a number of certifications to fly their FAA-registered aircraft.
Services include laser scanning for digital twins, topographic mapping, thermal imaging, volumetric calculations, and 3D surveying. They can deliver scans in multiple 2D and 3D file formats like CAD, Revit, and point clouds.
Pricing Model: Darling Geomatics uses a project-based pricing model, where costs are determined by the complexity, size, and specific needs of each survey. Potential clients are encouraged to contact them directly for a personalized quote.
Fly Guys
Fly Guys is a nationwide drone services company specializing in drone mapping and surveying. They cover multiple industries, including agriculture, construction, and real estate. Fly Guys uses LIDAR to create high-resolution maps and 3D models, and they can scan about 700 acres per team daily.
Pricing Model: Fly Guys offers customized pricing based on each project’s specific requirements. Clients can request a quote through their website by providing details about the project scope, location, and desired outcomes.
And if you’re interested in more then there are numerous proptech firms working on 3D Mapping are listed in The Proptech Directory’s 3D Mapping Category. Additionally, you can find Surveying Companies that utilize 3D mapping.
Drone Application 2: Construction Site Management
Managing a construction site is like calming down a class of kindergarteners. Drones can simplify this chaos by providing real-time aerial views of the site, allowing project managers to monitor progress, identify problems, and make informed decisions.
The Drone Life
The Drone Life offers comprehensive construction site management services using state-of-the-art drones. Their services include aerial photography, videography, and data collection to enhance project monitoring, safety, and efficiency. With FAA Part 107 licensed operators and insurance up to $1 million, they ensure legal compliance and safety. They provide professionally edited photos and videos, quick deployment, and transparent pricing. They serve the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S.
Pricing Model: Drone Life offers flexible pricing based on the scope and nature of the project. However, there is no mention of getting a quote or pricing. Clients can obtain a free consultation by contacting the company with details about their needs and project requirements.
Propeller
Propeller offers innovative construction site management solutions that empower teams to map, measure, and manage site activity efficiently from a single map. Their platform integrates high-accuracy drones, AeroPoints, and a robust survey processing pipeline to capture detailed survey-grade topos, track earthwork progress, and provide on-demand quantities for materials. Propeller ensures enhanced collaboration, safety, and transparency, allowing teams to streamline operations and make informed decisions based on accurate site data.
Pricing Model: Propellor’s pricing is based on a subscription model, which includes access to their software platform and support services. Pricing varies depending on the number of users and the scale of the project. Potential clients can request detailed pricing information and a demo through their website.
Skydio
Skydio revolutionizes construction site management with its advanced autonomous drones. These drones capture high-quality data for site inspection, enabling frequent and accurate assessments throughout construction phases. Skydio’s AI-driven technology allows inexperienced operators to navigate complex environments safely and efficiently. The drones enhance Building Information Management (BIM) processes, reduce rework, and improve project monitoring and safety while operating easily.
Pricing Model: Skydio offers a range of drones and solutions with pricing based on the specific model and any additional software or service packages required. Clients can obtain detailed pricing information and customize their solutions by contacting Skydio directly through their website.
Drone Application 3: Structural & Exterior Facade Inspections
Erecting scaffolding to inspect a building’s exterior is dangerous and inefficient. Drones can delay that step until your building facade requires repair and, therefore, scaffolding. , capturing every nook and cranny with remarkable detail.
Hammer Missions
Hammer Missions offers comprehensive structural site inspections through its enterprise-grade software platform. By leveraging drone technology, they enable the creation of high-quality 2D maps, 3D models, and AI-based inspection reports. Their platform supports automated flight planning, detailed structural inspections, and thermal data analysis, ensuring precise and efficient project monitoring. Hammer Missions enhances decision-making, project tracking, and safety, providing end-to-end workflows tailored to various construction needs.
Pricing Model: They operate on a subscription-based pricing model, offering different plans based on the level of access and features required. Clients can choose from monthly or annual subscriptions, with options for individual users, teams, and enterprises. Detailed pricing information is available upon inquiry through their website.
T2D2
T2D2 offers AI-powered structural inspections, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in detecting building damage. Utilizing advanced computer vision, it analyzes drone, camera, and mobile device imagery to identify and monitor deterioration. Their system ensures comprehensive data storage and analysis, facilitating proactive maintenance and detailed reporting. T2D2’s innovative technology revolutionizes structural health assessment, providing faster, more precise inspections.
Pricing: T2D2 offers three pricing plans: Starter at $99/month, Advanced at $499/month, and Enterprise at $1,399/month. Each plan includes features like AI Damage Detector, data limits ranging from 5GB to 100GB, and various levels of support. They also offer a 14-day free trial for all plans.
DroneDeploy
DroneDeploy provides an advanced platform for reality capture, integrating data from drones, robots, and 360 cameras. Their solutions offer comprehensive visibility and automation for construction site management, including structural inspections. By automating data capture and utilizing AI for insights, DroneDeploy enhances operational efficiency and safety.
Pricing Model: DroneDeploy offers various pricing plans to suit different needs. The Individual plan costs $329/month and provides essential drone mapping and analysis features. The Advanced plan, at $599/month, includes additional tools like advanced pilot support and vertical facade inspection.
These inspections are particularly valuable for identifying cracks, leaks, and other structural problems that might be missed during a ground-level inspection.
Drone Application 4: Window Cleaning
Drones aren’t limited to staring at things and analyzing them. A number of companies are employing drones to tackle a notoriously dangerous profession: window cleaning. By attaching squeegees and hoses, these drones can reach most parts of building exteriors.
Lucid Bots
Lucid Bots started in 2018 to revolutionize the exterior cleaning industry by adapting drones for soft-washing tasks. Realizing the lack of suitable drones, they designed their custom solutions. Lucid Bots emphasizes customer-driven values, safety, quality, growth, humility, and teamwork. Their flagship products include the Sherpa Drone for exterior cleaning and the Lavo Bot for surface cleaning.
Pricing Model: Lucid Bots operates on a customized pricing model, which depends on the specific robotic solution and its intended application. Clients can request a tailored quote by providing project details through their website.
Aquiline Drones
Aquiline Drones is an innovative American drone and cloud technology company. Founded by aviation and aerospace experts, AD provides comprehensive services, including drone pilot training, production, maintenance, and AI-powered cloud solutions. They feature high-pressure and soft-wash systems, ensuring versatility for different surfaces and tasks. Aquiline Drones serves industries like agriculture, public safety, and infrastructure with innovative UAV technology.
Pricing Model: Aquiline Drones employs a flexible pricing structure that varies based on the specific product or service chosen. They provide customized quotes based on client needs and project specifications, available upon inquiry through their website.
Wind Robo
Wind Robo is dedicated to developing cutting-edge robotic solutions for the wind energy sector. The system includes untethered cleaning, dynamic path generation, custom-built electronics, and a robust recovery system. Photogrammetry creates 3D scans of buildings for optimal cleaning trajectory planning.
Pricing Model: Wind Robo offers project-based pricing tailored to each client’s unique requirements. Prospective customers are encouraged to contact Wind Robo directly for detailed pricing information based on their specific needs.
Explore all the drone and robotics companies in my directory here.
Derek is the founder of The Proptech Scout, as well as an NYC landlord and real estate developer. In a former career, he bootstrapped and exited an e-commerce business while side hustling as a strategy consultant.