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Drones are a game-changer in many industries, and construction is no exception. I’m super excited to dive into the innovative ways drones are transforming construction sites and how they can enhance project management, safety, and quality control. Whether you’re a construction professional or just curious about the possibilities, let me take you through some incredible uses for drones in construction.

The Versatility of Drones

Drones are everywhere these days. While they’re commonly associated with warfare and delivery services, drones are making significant strides in industries like firefighting, freeway maintenance, entertainment, and, of course, construction. 

For our company, drones have become essential tools for inspections and capturing video footage. Imagine drones automatically taking off, following pre-programmed routes, and providing real-time data on your construction project. This isn’t the future—it’s happening right now!

The Potential Uses of Drones in Construction

Before we get into specifics, I want to share a quick story. I once read a fantastic book, Building the Empire State, which detailed how the superintendent on the project used “runners” to gather and communicate production information. 

Now, imagine if drones could serve a similar function, helping superintendents manage their projects from mobile command stations. Here are some of the most exciting ways drones can be used on construction sites today:

1. Site Surveys and Mapping

Drones offer remarkable aerial footage and can map the 3D topography of a project site with high accuracy. This capability aids in logistics, integrates with building models, provides real-time data for superintendents and foremen, and assists with material takeoffs by tracking production.

2. Progress Monitoring

Progress monitoring is vital for keeping a project on track. Imagine if, during your afternoon huddles with the foremen, a drone captured an aerial view of the entire site. While we aren’t quite ready for drones to fly safely inside buildings, exterior footage provides invaluable data. Drones can help you plan for the next day’s work, recover from delays, and keep everything on schedule.

3. Inspections and Quality Control

Drones are already revolutionizing inspections and quality control. I remember the days of manually inspecting hard-to-reach areas with harnesses and boom lifts—it was time-consuming and often impractical. Now, drones can inspect these areas safely and efficiently, reducing the need for costly and dangerous manual inspections. This technology is especially useful for exterior inspections and roof checks.

4. Safety Management

Safety is paramount on construction sites, and drones can play a significant role here. While I believe in being on-site to assess safety firsthand, drones can supplement this by inspecting high-risk areas, checking for compliance with safety protocols, and even ensuring workers are wearing their fall protection gear. This isn’t about creating a “police state”; it’s about backing up your team with an extra layer of safety assurance.

5. Progress Photos and Documentation

Drones are fantastic for capturing progress photos and providing historical documentation of a project. Instead of relying solely on daily reports with a few pictures and notes, imagine having drone footage that documents every single day of construction. This creates a comprehensive visual record that tells the story of the project from start to finish.

Different Ways Our Company Uses Drones

At our company, we’ve already integrated drones into various aspects of our projects. We use drones for aerial photos, topographic mapping, progress monitoring during foreman huddles, documentation, and even inspections. They’ve been invaluable for inspecting hard-to-reach areas and ensuring safety compliance.

One of the best uses of drones I’ve seen is allowing the assistant superintendent to monitor specific areas from their desk, creating a balance between office work and fieldwork. Drones provide real-time data that supplements the work of superintendents, helping them manage their time more effectively.

How to Start Using Drones in Construction

If you’re interested in implementing drones on your construction projects, start by collaborating with the tech experts in your company. Identify a suitable model, make your first purchase, and assign someone to explore the most valuable uses for drones. 

As you move from project to project, you’ll continue to discover new applications for this cutting-edge technology. Drones have the potential to be a game-changer in construction, especially for real-time video and photographic documentation during foreman huddles.

If you want to learn more we have:

-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here) 
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here) 
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.

On we go!