Photogrammetry is measurement from photographs. On a construction site, a drone flies a grid and takes hundreds of overlapping photos. Software finds the same points in many of them, works out where each photo was taken, and rebuilds the site in 3D. What you get back is a set of measurable outputs, not just pictures.
What a mapping flight produces
- Orthomosaic. A scaled, top-down image of the whole site. What an orthomosaic is.
- Elevation model and point cloud. The height of the ground and everything on it, used for grades, cut, fill and volumes.
- 3D model. A textured mesh you can orbit, section and share.
Where it helps
- Progress reports. The same view of the site, dated, every visit. Lenders and owners see what changed without a site walk.
- Earthworks. Cut, fill and stockpile volume estimates between visits.
- Coordination. Overlay drawings on the map to check layout and staging areas.
- A record. If something is questioned later, there is a dated capture of how the site looked.
Limits worth knowing
- It isn’t a survey. Measurements are estimates. Legal surveys and survey-grade accuracy are separate work.
- It sees surfaces. Photos can’t see under dense vegetation, tarps or inside structures.
- Weather and airspace. Wind, rain and low light stop flights, and sites near airports need NAV CANADA authorization.
- Ground control matters. Without measured control points, absolute accuracy drops, even if the map looks sharp.
Running it on a schedule
The value is in the series. One map is a snapshot. Monthly or weekly maps flown the same way let you compare visits and report change with confidence. Pick a cadence that matches how fast the site moves, and keep the flight plan and ground control consistent.
How Bricks runs it
With Bricks drone mapping, a certified, insured pilot flies the site, and the first mapped flight includes ground control setup. Each mapped capture delivers an orthomosaic, a 3D model and a measurable site map as a dated visit in Site Progress. Two mapped visits can be compared on a 0.5 m grid, leaving out changes under 10 cm. Cut, fill, net volume and area show their method and are estimates. You can also import your own GeoTIFF, LAS, LAZ, E57, PLY, OBJ or GLB files.
A mapped capture is $1,499 per capture, with a $650 one-time setup. Mapped plans per site: monthly visits $1,400 a month, every two weeks visits $2,600 a month, weekly visits $3,900 a month. CAD, plus tax.
FAQ
What is photogrammetry in construction?
Measuring a site from overlapping photos. A drone photographs the site from many positions, and software rebuilds it as an orthomosaic, an elevation model and a 3D model you can measure on.
How often should a site be mapped?
Often enough to catch the changes you report on. Many sites map monthly, and busy phases such as earthworks may justify every two weeks or weekly.
Can photogrammetry replace a surveyor?
No. It gives fast, repeatable estimates for documentation and planning. Legal surveys and survey-grade work are separate.
What does drone photogrammetry cost with Bricks?
A mapped capture is $1,499 per capture, plus $650 one-time mapping setup per site. Monthly mapped plans start at $1,400 per site. CAD, plus tax.
Written by the Bricks team. Figures that cite regional market research are labelled as such; Bricks rates are starting points and tailored per booking.
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