Construction progress aerials

Construction progress drone photography in Detroit

Scheduled flights from the same points every time, so owners, lenders and future tenants can watch a project rise. Plus the milestone content your marketing team will want at the end.

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial ParkAerial preview of the 22-acre riverfront park before opening
Same anglesRepeatable waypoints on every visit
Weekly to monthlyA schedule that matches your reporting
Time-lapseCompiled from every visit at completion
77.5%Of contractor drone users use them for marketing, per an ABC survey reported by DroneLife

What we do

What’s included

Every project is scoped to what you need. These are the pieces we deliver most often.

Progress stills

Fixed-point aerials from the same positions and heights each visit, labeled by date.

Orbit and flyover video

Short clips that show the full site for owner updates and lender reports.

Milestone coverage

Groundbreaking, steel topping out, facade completion and ribbon cutting, shot for press and social.

Time-lapse compilations

Every visit stitched into a progress film at completion.

Marketing handoff

When the building opens, the same crew shoots the launch. See real estate aerials.

Shared delivery folder

A running archive your team, lender and marketing partners can access.

A record of the project, and the start of its marketing

Progress aerials do two jobs. For owners, lenders and project teams, they are a clear, dated record of what has been built. For the people who will lease, sell or promote the building later, they are the raw material of its story. According to a 2026 Associated Builders and Contractors survey reported by DroneLife, 80.8% of contractors who fly drones use them for progress monitoring and 77.5% use them for marketing and media. We plan for both from the first flight.

Repeatability is the whole job

A progress series only works if every image lines up. We set fixed shooting points, heights and headings with your team at kickoff and return to them every visit. That consistency is what makes month-over-month comparisons readable and turns a year of flights into a time-lapse that holds together.

Working safely on an active site

Construction sites add risks that a listing shoot does not have: cranes, workers, moving equipment and changing site layouts. We complete your site orientation, wear the required PPE, coordinate flight windows with the superintendent and keep flight paths clear of active work zones. FAA rules on flying over people apply on job sites too, and our flight plans account for them.

From topping out to ribbon cutting

Milestones deserve more than a progress still. Groundbreakings, topping-out ceremonies and openings are shot for press releases, social media and investor updates, and they cut naturally into the final progress film. When the building is ready, the same crew can shoot the launch aerials and interiors. Our construction progress guide covers what a 12-month program usually includes.

Start a progress program

Send the site address, start date and expected schedule. We will confirm airspace and access and propose shooting points and a cadence. Get a quote.

Selected work

Recent projects

A few of the projects behind this service. See all work

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial ParkAerial preview of the 22-acre riverfront park before opening
The Residences at Water SquareAerial and interior tour of a new Detroit riverfront tower

Process

How a project runs

No surprises. You know who is on your project, what it costs and when you get files.

Site plan

We set fixed shooting points and heights with your project team and agree on a schedule.

Safety and access

Site orientation, PPE and coordination with your superintendent on crane activity and work zones.

Scheduled flights

Flights on the agreed cadence, rescheduled around weather and game-day airspace closures.

Delivery

Dated stills and clips within two business days of each visit, with a compiled film at the end.

Pricing

What it costs

Per-visit and monthly program pricing. Longer programs cost less per visit.

Single visit

From $600

Fixed-point stills plus one orbit clip.

Monthly program

From $550/visit

Scheduled monthly flights with a 6-month minimum.

Milestone film

From $2,500

Time-lapse compilation and a finished progress film.

Mapping and survey-grade photogrammetry are a different service and are not included.

FAQ

Questions we get asked

How often should construction progress be photographed?
Monthly suits most projects and lender reporting. Weekly or biweekly makes sense during fast phases such as steel or facade work, or when an owner wants frequent updates.
Do you shoot the same angles every time?
Yes. We set fixed positions and heights at the start of the project and return to them on every visit, so images line up for comparisons and time-lapse.
Is this the same as drone mapping or surveying?
No. We produce visual progress documentation and marketing content. Survey-grade mapping, photogrammetry and measurements are a specialized service that requires different equipment and deliverables.
Can you fly over workers on site?
FAA rules limit flying over people. We plan flight paths around active work zones and coordinate with your superintendent so the flight does not interfere with crews or cranes.
What does construction drone photography cost?
Single visits start at $600 and monthly programs at $550 per visit with a six-month minimum. A finished time-lapse or milestone film starts at $2,500.

Have a project in mind?

Tell us what you are working on. We reply within one business day with next steps, a rough budget range and the right people for the job.

Start a project