New drone technologies are helping surveyors become strategic partners, bringing greater transparency, efficiency and communication to every phase of development
More than a century ago, my great-great-grandfather worked on construction projects in Millersville, Pennsylvania. A field engineer of German descent, he was known for the precision of his measurements. Key to that precision was his equipment: a brass transit with spider-silk crosshairs and a spring-loaded tangent screw that helped eliminate elevation errors caused by gravity. That kind of accuracy mattered, because the layout lines they generated were the guide for every brick laid.
The core goals of surveying haven’t changed. For the entirety of my three-decade career as a land surveyor, the job has centered around collecting precise spatial data; establishing boundaries, confirming elevations, and documenting existing conditions with accuracy and care. And while the tools have steadily evolved, from optical transits to laser-equipped total stations, the role itself has long been seen as passive: gather the data, deliver the drawings, and step aside. But in the last few years, that’s started to change dramatically.
Thanks to advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology, land surveyors are no longer just collecting data. We’re enabling better communication, increasing project transparency, and helping clients make smarter, faster decisions. What used to be static measurements are now dynamic tools for collaboration, validation, and storytelling, transforming how surveyors work and how their work is valued.
Smarter, faster, safer
One of the biggest advantages UAVs bring to surveying is efficiency. A drone can complete in 20 minutes what might otherwise take a team an entire day, especially on large or complex sites with challenging access or environmental sensitivities. That speed doesn’t just reduce labor costs; it accelerates decision-making and keeps projects moving.
The value goes beyond time saved. UAVs also improve safety by reducing the need to put surveyors in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments. Surveying is a labor-intensive job, and certain tasks, like accessing rooftops, navigating active construction zones, or traversing wetlands, have always carried risk. Drones are changing that equation. When safety and speed improve together, so does client value. UAVs let us deliver accurate data faster with less risk.
A few years ago, we were asked to survey the rooftop of a public school in preparation for a solar panel installation. Traditionally, this would have meant climbing ladders and walking the roof with tripods and prisms: a slow, potentially dangerous process. Instead, we flew a drone equipped with high-resolution photogrammetry cameras, capturing the data quickly, safely, and without any disruption to the school day.
For even more complex conditions, we’ve used bathymetric LIDAR to confirm floodplain topography without wading into rivers, and thermal sensors to inspect elevated transmission lines for signs of early-stage failure, all while keeping boots on the ground.
Turning data into dialogue
But what makes UAV-enabled surveying truly transformative isn’t just how we collect the data; it’s what we can do with it. UAVs generate rich, visual data that fosters better communication among project teams, regulators, and community stakeholders.
At one redevelopment site, for example, an old factory was being demolished in phases. By flying the site at regular intervals, we gave the client a virtual window into project progress. The UAVs allowed them to track demolition, quantify debris volumes, and confirm compliance with erosion control measures without ever stepping foot on site.
In another instance, a national retailer was facing community concerns over light spill from a proposed development near residential areas. To provide verifiable, visual proof, we obtained FAA approval for a night flight, outfitted our drone with a custom light kit, and mapped the site perimeter. The resulting imagery showed exactly where light levels dropped off, reassuring neighbors, satisfying the town board, and helping the client secure zoning approval.
We’ve even helped resolve construction billing disputes by flying sites weekly to verify invoiced progress, comparing drone imagery with contractor claims around grading, foundation work, and stockpiles. This not only prevented overpayments but built trust between the owner, contractor, and design team.
Because drone data is visual, interactive, and easy to share, it turns measurements into narratives. We’ve seen clients use our imagery in community meetings, permitting packages, and even marketing materials. When stakeholders can see what’s happening, they’re more likely to understand it and support it.
The bigger picture
Our firm now uses UAVs on about 25 percent of our survey jobs, and we expect that number to keep rising. From aerial-mounted LIDAR that can model terrain beneath tree canopies to thermal sensors that support building performance studies, the technology continues to evolve and so does the land surveyor’s role.
When I think about my great-great-grandfather standing behind his brass transit, levelling a line for a new foundation, I know he would recognize the values that still guide our profession: accuracy, reliability, and craft. But I think he’d be astonished at the view we have today, literally and figuratively.
UAVs are helping surveyors not just measure the world but explain it. We’re becoming storytellers, problem-solvers, and strategic partners. And in the process, we’re elevating what it means to be a surveyor in the 21st century.
Donald Smith
Donald Smith is a Senior Land Surveyor and Principal at BL Companies, a 100-percent employee-owned firm offering integrated architecture, engineering, environmental, and land surveying services. With over 30 years of experience, Don has led surveying and mapping projects across public, commercial, and residential markets, including bridges, schools, utilities, and large-scale retail centers. He oversees boundary and topographic surveys, construction stakeout, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, and hydrographic projects, and has developed firmwide protocols for marine survey work. Don brings technical expertise, leadership, and a collaborative mindset to every project, helping clients navigate complex sites with accuracy, insight, and solutions that support long-term success.