Construction Site Mapping & Monitoring

Provide aerial mapping and progress monitoring for construction

Startup Cost
$10,000-$50,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
8-15 months
Profit Potential
$17,000-$100,000/month

Overview

Construction drone services charge $500-$5,000 per site visit or monthly contracts.

Serving 15-50 projects generates $200,000-$1,200,000 annually with 65-85% margins.

In 2025, construction companies use drones for site monitoring and progress documentation.

Services include site progress documentation, aerial mapping and surveying, volume calculations (stockpiles, excavation), 3D modeling and photogrammetry, safety and compliance monitoring, and client progress reports.

Successful construction drone operators understand construction processes, use mapping software (Pix4D, DroneDeploy), provide accurate measurements, deliver regular reports, and build long-term project contracts.

Marketing through general contractors, developers, engineers, and construction management.

Required Skills

  • Drone Operations
  • Mapping Software
  • Photogrammetry
  • Construction Knowledge
  • Data Analysis
  • Part 107 License

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High-value projects and contracts
  • Monthly recurring site monitoring
  • Growing construction technology adoption
  • Accurate data valuable to contractors
  • Multiple revenue streams per project

Cons

  • Expensive mapping software subscriptions
  • Need construction industry knowledge
  • Long sales cycle for contracts
  • Processing and analysis time-intensive
  • Weather delays affect schedules

How to Get Started

  1. Get Part 107 license
  2. Learn mapping software and photogrammetry
  3. Invest in mapping drone and software
  4. Understand construction processes
  5. Market to construction companies and developers
  6. Provide accurate data and reports
  7. Build long-term project contracts

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