Aerial & Ground-Level
Aerial Surveys & Site Photography
Aerial site surveys and construction site photography from someone who understands construction sites — not just cameras. Drone and ground-level photography for lift planning, progress monitoring, safety documentation, and project records. Conducted by a CPCS Appointed Person with GVC qualification and CAA Operational Authorisation.
Qualified Pilot
Operational Authorisation
Appointed Person
Why Our Service Is Different
Most drone and photography companies can take pictures of a construction site. What they cannot do is look at that site through the eyes of someone with 35 years of construction experience and understand what they are looking at.
We are not a photography company that occasionally works on construction sites. We are a lift planning consultancy that offers aerial surveys and site photography as a natural extension of the work we already do. We hold the site qualifications to work safely and independently on live construction sites — CPCS, NEBOSH, CSCS — so we do not need an escort, we do not need a site induction explaining what a crane is, and we do not create additional management overhead for your site team.
The result is photography and survey data captured by someone who knows what matters on a construction site — because we work on them every day.
What We Offer
Aerial Surveys
Drone-based aerial surveys of construction sites using high-resolution imagery. Particularly valuable for lift planning, where overhead views of the site reveal information that is difficult or impossible to assess from ground level.
- ✓High-resolution overhead site imagery
- ✓Crane access routes and setup positions
- ✓Overhead obstructions and hazard identification
- ✓Ground conditions assessment from above
- ✓Tower crane jib zones and overlapping areas
- ✓Site progress overview and comparison over time
Site Photography
Ground-level construction site photography for project documentation, progress records, safety evidence, and stakeholder reporting. Professional quality from someone who can work independently on a live site.
- ✓Construction progress photography
- ✓Lifting operations documentation
- ✓Safety and compliance evidence capture
- ✓Pre-lift site condition records
- ✓Stakeholder and client progress reports
- ✓Combined aerial and ground-level packages
How Aerial Surveys Support Lift Planning
When we conduct an aerial survey for lift planning, we are not simply capturing images. We are assessing the site from the perspective of someone who will plan or review lifting operations on it. We know what to look for because we know what a lift plan needs.
Writing Lift Plans
When we write a lift plan for a site we have not physically visited, the aerial survey provides the site-specific data that makes the plan accurate and practical. We can see actual conditions rather than relying on drawings that may be out of date.
Lift plan writing service →Reviewing Lift Plans
When reviewing a submitted lift plan, aerial imagery allows us to verify whether the plan reflects actual site conditions. If a plan shows clear access but the survey shows a congested site, that discrepancy needs addressing before the lift proceeds.
Lift plan review service →Tower Crane Projects
On long-duration tower crane contracts, periodic aerial surveys track how the site changes — new structures, additional cranes, changing access routes. This ensures lift planning keeps pace with reality on the ground.
Tower crane contracts →What We Capture — Aerial
Site Layout & Access
- ✓Overhead imagery showing actual site layout and working areas
- ✓Crane access routes and potential setup positions
- ✓Vehicle access constraints and turning areas
- ✓Material storage and laydown areas
Obstructions & Hazards
- ✓Overhead power lines, their routes and approximate heights
- ✓Adjacent structures, buildings, and scaffolding
- ✓Tower crane jib positions and overlapping zones
- ✓Trees, boundary walls, and other fixed obstructions
Ground Conditions
- ✓Visual assessment of ground at planned operating positions
- ✓Evidence of made-up ground, backfilled trenches, or soft areas
- ✓Drainage routes and areas prone to waterlogging
- ✓Surface conditions for outrigger and stabiliser positions
Lifting Operation Context
- ✓Load pick-up and landing positions relative to site features
- ✓Exclusion zone requirements based on actual conditions
- ✓Pedestrian and vehicle routes that may be affected
- ✓Proximity of occupied areas and public spaces
Construction Site Photography
Ground-level site photography for clients who need professional documentation of their construction projects. Because we already hold the qualifications and site experience to work on live construction sites, we can attend your site and work independently without creating additional management burden for your team.
Progress documentation
Regular photographic records of construction progress for client reporting, stakeholder updates, and project archives. Scheduled visits at agreed intervals to maintain a consistent visual record.
Lifting operations records
Photographic evidence of lifting operations as they happen — crane setup, rigging, lift execution, and completion. Useful for compliance records, training material, and demonstrating safe working practices.
Pre-lift site conditions
Photographic record of site conditions before a lifting operation takes place. Provides evidence of ground conditions, access arrangements, and exclusion zones as documented in the lift plan.
Safety and compliance evidence
Photographs documenting safety arrangements, signage, exclusion zones, PPE compliance, and general site conditions. Supporting evidence for audits, inspections, and client assurance requirements.
Combined aerial and ground packages
Aerial drone photography and ground-level photography delivered together in a single site visit. Provides a complete visual record of the site from every angle.
Ad-hoc and incident documentation
One-off site visits to capture specific conditions, record an incident scene, or document a particular operation. Available at short notice when you need a qualified person on site with a camera.
The Process
Brief
You tell us what you need — aerial survey data for lift planning, progress photography, or a combined package. We tailor the visit to capture exactly what you require.
Permissions
We handle all drone flight permissions, airspace checks, and risk assessments. We coordinate with your site team to agree timing and any operational constraints.
Site Visit
We attend site and conduct the aerial survey and/or ground-level photography. No escort required — we hold the qualifications to work independently on your site.
Delivery
You receive the survey data and photographs — annotated where relevant, organised by area or operation, and delivered within 24 hours of the site visit.
When an Aerial Survey Adds Most Value
Not every lifting operation needs a drone survey. For straightforward operations on well-documented sites, conventional information is usually sufficient. But there are situations where aerial survey data materially improves the quality of the lift plan.
Complex or congested sites
Where multiple cranes, structures, and operations are in close proximity and accurate spatial information is critical to safe planning.
Sites that have changed since the drawings were produced
Construction sites evolve constantly. An aerial survey shows the site as it is now, not as it was when the drawings were last updated.
Remote lift planning
When the lift plan is being written off-site, aerial survey data provides the site-specific information that would otherwise require a physical visit.
Tower crane installations and dismantles
Aerial imagery before a crane arrives helps confirm the planned position, access route, and any obstructions not obvious from ground level.
Tandem lifts and multi-crane operations
Operations involving multiple machines working in close proximity require precise understanding of the spatial relationships on site.
Disputes or verification
When a submitted lift plan does not appear to reflect actual site conditions, aerial imagery provides objective evidence to resolve the question.
Qualifications & Authorisations
Our aerial surveys and site photography are conducted by someone who holds both the drone qualifications required by the CAA and the construction industry qualifications needed to work safely on live sites. This means no escorts, no additional supervision, and no delays while someone explains the site to an outsider.
Drone & Photography
- ✓GVC (General VLOS Certificate) qualified pilot
- ✓CAA Operational Authorisation — flight in congested areas including active construction sites
- ✓Full public liability insurance for drone operations
Construction Industry
- ✓CPCS Appointed Person (A61)
- ✓35+ years construction industry experience
- ✓NEBOSH National Diploma
- ✓Graduate IOSH
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a drone survey help with lift planning?
A drone survey provides accurate overhead imagery of the site showing access routes, ground conditions, overhead obstructions, adjacent structures, and potential crane positions. This data directly informs the lift plan, producing more accurate and site-specific documentation than working from drawings or third-party photographs alone.
Are you licensed to fly drones on construction sites?
Yes. We hold a GVC (General VLOS Certificate) and CAA Operational Authorisation, which permits us to fly in congested areas including active construction sites. All flights are conducted in compliance with current UK drone regulations.
Can you fly drones near tower cranes and other construction equipment?
Yes. Our CAA Operational Authorisation covers flight in congested areas. All flights near construction equipment are planned with appropriate risk assessments, and we coordinate with site management to ensure safe operations. Tower crane jib positions and other overhead equipment are factored into every flight plan.
Do you offer ground-level photography as well as aerial?
Yes. We provide both aerial drone photography and ground-level construction site photography. Because we hold CPCS, NEBOSH, and CSCS qualifications, we can work safely and independently on live construction sites without requiring an escort or additional supervision.
Can the aerial survey be combined with lift plan writing or review?
Yes, and this is where the service delivers the most value. Because the person conducting the survey is also the Appointed Person writing or reviewing the lift plan, the survey data feeds directly into the planning process with no loss of information or misinterpretation between separate parties.
What areas of the UK do you cover?
We provide aerial surveys and site photography across the UK. Based in Warrington, Cheshire, we attend sites nationwide.
How long does a survey take?
Most site surveys can be completed in a few hours, including setup, flight, and ground-level photography. The exact duration depends on the size of the site and the scope of what needs to be captured. All data is typically delivered within 24 hours of the site visit.
Need Aerial Surveys or Site Photography?
Get in touch to discuss your requirements. Whether you need drone survey data for a lift plan, progress photography for a long-term project, or a combined package, we provide the site intelligence your project needs.