The same site, every visit, on record
Progress capture is only useful if it is repeated. We fly your site on a schedule, capture the same maps and views each time, and file them in one record your owner, lender and trades can read.
One flight is a picture. A series is evidence.
A single aerial shows what the site looked like on one day. A series flown the same way, from the same positions, at a steady interval, shows what changed, when, and by how much. That is what settles a draw, a delay claim, a backcharge or a neighbour's complaint.
Most projects choose a cadence that matches how money and decisions move: monthly to line up with progress draws and owner reports, every two weeks through fast phases like excavation and framing, weekly on large or high-stakes jobs. We also add event flights: before excavation, after shoring, before backfill on utilities, at roof-tight, and at completion.
Each visit is saved to the site's DroneLink project record, dated and labelled. Anyone you share it with sees the same set, instead of a folder of files named by whoever downloaded them.
Consistency is the whole craft. Same flight height and overlap, same control marks, same shot positions and, where possible, the same time of day so shadows fall the same way. A repeated set of fixed-point obliques is often what owners look at first; the orthomosaic and elevation model are what engineers and estimators measure from. Reviewers approve or question each set on the platform with comments pinned to the image, as described in review and approve.
A standard visit kit
| Capture | Why | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| Orthomosaic of the whole site | Layout, laydown, fencing, haul routes, what is built | Owner, superintendent, lender's monitor |
| Elevation model | Excavation depth, fill placed, stockpiles, grades | Engineer, earthworks sub, estimator |
| Fixed-point oblique photos | Same four to eight angles every visit, for side-by-side comparison | Owner reports, marketing, claims |
| Short aerial video | Context for people who were not there | Owners, investors, sales team |
| Close shots of agreed items | Roof, envelope, utilities before cover, anything disputed | Consultants, envelope inspector, insurer |
| Visit note | Date, time, weather and what was active | Everyone, and anyone checking later |
Why progress photo programs fail
Nobody can compare month to month
Different heights, angles and times of day make photos look like different jobs.
Photos scattered across phones and inboxes
When a question comes up months later, the one photo that proves the rebar was in cannot be found.
Reports that arrive after the draw meeting
The lender's monitor visits on their own schedule and the imagery misses it.
Missing the thing that gets buried
Underground services and footings are covered before anyone thinks to photograph them.
Flight windows that clash with crane lifts
Drone and crane operations need coordination on busy sites.
Who reads progress, and what they look for
Owner or developer
- They need from you
- A clear view of schedule, visible progress and risks.
- You need from them
- Reporting dates and the few views they care about.
- On the DroneLink record
- A dated set per visit in one record, shared by link, with version history.
Lender or their cost consultant
- They need from you
- Evidence that supports the work claimed in a draw.
- You need from them
- Their site visit dates and format.
- On the DroneLink record
- Read-only access to the visit sets for the period.
General contractor
- They need from you
- Laydown planning, sub coordination, record of site conditions.
- You need from them
- Safe windows, crane schedule, site orientation.
- On the DroneLink record
- Comments pinned to the image where an issue sits.
Neighbours and the city
- They need from you
- Assurance on tree protection, erosion control and boundaries.
- You need from them
- Their concerns, early.
- On the DroneLink record
- Specific dated images from the record, not a scramble for photos.
How a progress program starts
Baseline flight
Before mobilization if possible: the existing site, trees, neighbours and roads.
Agree the kit and cadence
Products per visit and a calendar tied to draws and milestones.
Set control
Permanent marks outside the work area so every flight lines up.
Fly on schedule
Same plan each visit, plus event flights on request.
Share and review
Visit sets added to the record; comments and approvals in one place. Flight-to-flight comparison in the browser is coming.
Pair progress with
- Earthworks cut and fill during excavation and grading.
- Stockpile volumes for imported and exported material.
- Aerial video for owner updates and sales.
- Roof inspection and envelope close-ups at key stages.
Questions
How often should construction progress be captured by drone?
Many projects fly monthly to match progress draws, every two weeks during fast phases, and add flights at milestones such as backfill or roof-tight. Pick the cadence that matches how your owner and lender report.
Can a lender use drone progress photos?
Lenders and their cost consultants often use dated aerial imagery to support draw reviews, alongside their own site visits. Ask what format and dates they want before the program starts.
Do I need permission to fly a drone over a construction site?
The site owner or contractor must agree, and the pilot must follow Transport Canada or FAA rules, including airspace authorization near airports and distance from people not involved. Busy urban sites may need extra coordination.
Can you fly while cranes are working?
It can be done with coordination, but many sites prefer flights before work starts or during a break. We agree a plan with the site lead and crane operator.
What is included in a progress visit?
Typically an orthomosaic, elevation model, fixed-angle photos, a short video and close shots of agreed items, with a dated note. The kit is agreed at setup.
How do I compare two progress flights?
Today, open the dated orthomosaics and elevation models side by side, or ask for a change report. Flight-to-flight comparison in our browser viewer is coming.
Can drone progress photos help in a dispute?
Dated, repeatable imagery is useful evidence of site conditions. It does not replace your documentation, but it often settles questions quickly.
What does a drone progress program cost?
Cost depends on site size, visit frequency, the products in each visit kit, control setup and travel. The first visit carries the setup work; later visits repeat a saved plan. We quote each program and do not publish prices.
Tell us about your Toronto site.
An address and what you need is enough to start. We reply with what it will take, who will fly it and when.