Drone Surveys

Drone surveys use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect aerial data about land, buildings or structures. Equipped with high resolution cameras and sensors, drones are capable of producing incredible insightful data which can then be processed into 3D models, maps or topographic surveys. 

The process of getting a drone survey involves pre-flight planning, data collection, data processing and data analysis. 

At Anderton Gables, our drone surveys are conducted by our experienced surveyors who are fully qualified, accredited and insured in the UK. 

Combining the most advanced drone technology with our experts ensures your drone survey benefits from professionalism at every turn.

As a business or organisation which has any commercial interest, drone surveys can be used to help you make informed, data-driven decisions about your project. 

Based on the vast data sets our drones can collect, we can improve aspects such as cost efficiency, hazard identification, cost forecasting and regulatory compliance. 

Ultimately, drone surveys can be invaluable in streamlining project planning and resource management to reduce costs and improve efficiency. 

When you partner with us we can explore your commercial aims and objectives in greater detail when planning, performing and interpreting the results of your aerial drone survey. 

Traditional surveying using manual techniques will always have its place. However, when surveying large areas, complex terrains or hazardous sites, drone surveys can be invaluable. 

Like with other aspects of a building project, traditional vs drone surveying relies on choosing the right tools for the job. 

With a drone, the survey can be completed quickly and methodically using specific parameters. This data will be digitally recorded and interpreted to create the likes of 3D models or orthomosaic maps, depending on the nature of the project. 

In summary, in any project where manual techniques wouldn’t provide the data required, or would present additional risks for personnel, drone surveys can offer an extremely reliable method of collecting the data instead.

In short, whenever there is a need to gather aerial data on behalf of your business interests, drone surveying can be incredibly useful. 

Some of the commercial sectors we work with include education, hospitality, housing, industrial, logistics, office, residential and retail.

One of the many reasons why it’s essential to hire a reputable firm to conduct a drone survey on behalf of your business or organisation is to ensure legal compliance.

In the UK, drone operators must be registered with the CAA. When flying a drone for commercial purposes, the operator must hold qualifications including A2 CofC. More complex drone work also requires additional qualifications. 

By partnering with Anderton Gables, you will gain peace of mind that all drone operations are compliant with all applicable legal requirements, regulations and permissions.

At Anderton Gables, our mapping and surveying drones enlist various techniques including photogrammetry and LiDAR. 

Photogrammetry allows us to produce overlapping high resolution images that can be used to create 3D models and maps. For the likes of construction, urban planning, power infrastructure inspections and topographic surveys, photogrammetry can be an ideal approach. 

LiDAR is short for Light Detection and Ranging. It involves the use of a laser scanner which measures the distance to the target. When a project requires precise elevation data or there is a need to scan through vegetation, LiDAR can offer many benefits. 

Since the aerial drone surveys we perform across Manchester, Preston and Liverpool are varied, we will adapt our approach based on the data required for your project.

To achieve phenomenal accuracy, drones utilise various ways of collecting data including 

GPS (Global Positioning System) and RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning.

When this data is collected, it allows us to produce highly accurate topographical maps within land surveying, plus inspect infrastructure in a way that reduces errors. 

In any scenario where drone aerial surveying may be required, GPS and RTK data seek to enhance the results.

Drones are capable of providing an exceptional level of detail about a building, structure or piece of land. Crucially, in a way that is often safer than manual inspection, especially as the risk of working at a height is eliminated. Likewise, when surveying a piece of land, using a drone is far cheaper and quicker compared with aerial surveying using an aircraft.

As technology continues to improve, the level of insights we can provide advances by the day. Most importantly, these insights are supercharged when interpreted by our surveyors who can help you make informed and strategic decisions about your site. 

Overall, investing in a land survey using drones can offer an unrivalled level of data and information that cannot be obtained through other means. 

While drone surveys can provide incredibly insightful data about a structure or piece of land, it is essential that a drone operator holds all the necessary qualifications and insurance to be able to legally operate in the UK. 

Beyond legal compliance, having the expertise to collect and interpret the data is vital so that you can make strategic decisions on behalf of your company or organisation. 

As a major provider of drone surveys in the North West, Anderton Gables, our drone operators have all the required accreditations. This includes being a RICS regulated firm which also allows us to validate drone survey data in-house.