Drone Measured Building Survey Service

Understanding Drone Measured Building Survey

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

At Hire Drone Pilot, we merge high-resolution drone imagery with sophisticated processing to produce elevation drawings, facade measurements, and 3D building models. This methodology is especially beneficial for buildings where conventional access is challenging, hazardous, or would necessitate costly scaffolding.

Peter Leslie

Owner & Drone Pilot

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Precise Building Dimensions,No Access Equipment Needed

What You'll Receive

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

Delivered in 3-5 working days

Why Use HireDronePilot

• CAA certified & comprehensively insured
• No scaffolding or access equipment
• Architect-ready outputs
• Nationwide coverage

Relied upon by architects, surveyors & property developers throughout the UK.

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Relied upon by major organisations

What Does an Drone Measured Building Survey Cost?

Pricing varies based on building dimensions, intricacy, and required outputs. Below is a reference to assist with budgeting:

*Reference prices encompass standard outputs. Final quotation depends on building intricacy, access, and particular requirements.

Factors Influencing Your Quote

• Building dimensions & elevation
• Architectural intricacy
• Required outputs
• Access & location

Our UAV-based approach removes scaffolding and cherry picker hire, frequently saving 30-50% compared to conventional measured building surveys. Send us your project particulars for a customised quotation within 24 hours.

How Does Drone Measured Building Survey Compare to Conventional Approaches?

Conventional measured building surveys demand surveyors to physically access every portion of a building—frequently utilising scaffolding, cherry pickers, or abseil access for upper storeys and roofs. This is time-intensive, costly, and occasionally impossible for certain structures.

Drone measured building surveys capture the complete exterior from above in a fraction of the time. Our UAVs photograph all facades, roof zones, and architectural features without scaffolding or working at height. The outcome is thorough coverage that frequently surpasses what conventional approaches can accomplish—especially for complex rooflines and inaccessible zones.

What Precision Can an Drone Measured Building Survey Deliver?

Our drone measured building surveys consistently attain precision of ±10-20mm on facade dimensions when employing ground control points. For most architectural and planning purposes, this surpasses the tolerances stipulated by RICS guidelines.

We establish survey control utilising RTK GPS and position coded targets on the building where accessible. Our processing workflow employs photogrammetric adjustment to guarantee consistent precision across all facades. For projects demanding higher accuracy, we can merge drone capture with terrestrial survey checks to attain ±5mm or superior.

Where Are Drone Measured Building Surveys Used?

Drone measured building surveys serve a broad spectrum of property and construction professionals. Below are the principal applications where our clients realise the most value:

Can UAVs Capture Building Interiors?

Standard outdoor UAVs are engineered for exterior assessments only. Flying inside buildings presents considerable challenges—GPS doesn't function indoors, there's insufficient space for safe manoeuvring, and collision risk is elevated. Our drone measured building surveys concentrate on external facades, roofs, and building envelopes.

For interior assessments, we provide complementary terrestrial laser scanning and handheld SLAM scanning services. These can be integrated with drone exterior surveys to produce thorough whole-building models. If you require internal floor plans alongside external elevations, we can furnish an integrated package.

What Outputs Do You Receive From an Drone Measured Building Survey?

We customise outputs to match your project requirements, but our standard measured building survey deliverables comprise:

• Elevation Drawings

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

• 3D Building Representation

  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 documentation.

• Roof Plan

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

• CAD Files

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

• Ultra-Sharp Imagery

  Complete collection of drone photographs capturing all building details. Invaluable for condition evaluation and defect identification.

What's the Duration of an Drone Measured Building Survey?

On-site data gathering is exceptionally swift. A typical residential or small commercial building takes 1-2 hours to survey completely—encompassing all facades and roof zones. Larger or more complex buildings may necessitate half a day.

Processing and output production typically requires 3-5 working days for standard projects. Intricate buildings with detailed architectural features may demand additional processing time. For pressing requirements, we provide accelerated turnaround options.

How Do I Select an Drone Measured Building Survey Provider?

Not all drone survey providers deliver the same calibre of measured building work. When appraising providers, we suggest verifying these essential criteria:

• CAA certification – Confirm they possess valid GVC or legacy PfCO permissions for commercial operations
• Comprehensive insurance – Public liability and professional indemnity coverage appropriate to your project
• Survey expertise – Drone photography differs from measured surveys—verify they comprehend dimensional precision
• CAD competency – Enquire about their drawing production workflow and output formats
• Pertinent examples – Request case studies of comparable building surveys they've accomplished

At Hire Drone Pilot, we meet every criterion. We're CAA certified, comprehensively insured, and have delivered measured building surveys for architects, heritage consultants, and property professionals throughout the UK.

Is Drone Measured Building Survey More Economical Than Conventional Approaches?

In most instances, yes—frequently considerably so. Conventional measured building surveys of multi-storey structures typically demand scaffolding hire, cherry picker rental, or specialist abseil access. These access expenses alone can surpass the complete price of a drone survey.

Our UAV-based approach captures all exterior surfaces in hours rather than days, with no access equipment necessary. Typical savings span 30-50% compared to conventional approaches, whilst frequently delivering more thorough data—especially for roof zones that would otherwise demand costly access solutions.