aerial and drone surveys

Land and Engineering Surveyors Based in Lancashire

Professional Aerial & Drone Surveying Services Across the UK

Based in Lancashire, Operating Nationwide

Aerial and drone surveys are transforming how modern surveying data is collected, analysed, and delivered. By integrating UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) technology with advanced sensors such as LiDAR and high-resolution photogrammetry, we capture fast, accurate, and highly detailed spatial data for a wide range of projects and industries. At Site Surveying Services, we offer expert drone surveying services throughout Lancashire and the wider UK – ideal for topographical mapping, construction, infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and more.

What Is Aerial & Drone Surveying?

Aerial and drone surveying uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with specialised sensors to capture data from above the ground. These aircraft collect high-accuracy measurements which can be processed into:

  • 3D point clouds
  • Digital elevation and terrain models
  • Orthomosaic maps
  • Volumetric analyses
  • GIS and CAD deliverables

This aerial approach provides a comprehensive view of terrain, structures and landscapes - often faster, safer, and more cost-effective than traditional ground methods.

Types of Aerial & Drone Surveying We Provide

Site Surveying Services offers a range of aerial survey solutions to match your project needs:

UAV LiDAR Surveying

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to measure distances and build highly precise 3D models of the ground and surface features.
IDeal for:
Large sites with vegetation cover
Terrain modelling & contour mapping
Infrastructure development & alignment
Volumetric and stockpile measurement
benefits are
Penetrates vegetation for ground surface modelling
Generates accurate point clouds with centimetre-level precision
Faster data capture than traditional methods

Aerial Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry uses high-resolution cameras mounted on drones to capture overlapping images which are processed into detailed maps.
IDeal for:

Orthophoto maps

Surface modelling

Visual site documentation

Planning and volume measurement

benefits are

Cost-effective for medium-range surveys

Excellent visual detail and texture mapping

Outputs integrate with GIS and CAD systems

Combined LiDAR & Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry uses high-resolution cameras mounted on drones to capture overlapping images which are processed into detailed maps.

Why Choose UAV Aerial Surveys?

Using drones for survey data collection delivers major advantages over conventional techniques:

Speed & Efficiency

Drones can cover large areas rapidly and return data for processing within a short time frame - often reducing weeks of fieldwork to a single flight.

Accuracy & Detail

Advanced sensors like LiDAR and RTK-enabled cameras deliver centimetre-level accuracy, producing reliable outputs for critical decision-making.

Safety & Access

UAVs capture data from above, reducing the need for surveyors in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas - improving safety and lowering risk.

Cost-Effective

Compared to manned aerial surveys or extensive ground crews, drone surveys are more cost-efficient while providing high-quality deliverables.

Applications of Aerial & Drone Surveys

Drone and aerial surveys benefit a wide range of project types:

  • Topographical surveys & terrain mapping
  • Infrastructure planning & corridor mapping
  • Construction site monitoring
  • Environmental assessment & vegetation analysis
  • Stockpile & volumetric calculation
  • Flood risk & drainage assessment
  • Agricultural & forestry surveys

Heritage and archaeological site mapping

Deliverables & Output Formats

We provide outputs that integrate seamlessly into your workflow:

  • LiDAR derived point clouds (LAS, E57)
  • Orthomosaic and DSM/DTM maps
  • 3D models and textured meshes
  • 2D CAD drawings (DWG / DXF)
  • GIS-ready datasets
  • Volume and contour reports

All deliverables are georeferenced, clearly structured and ready for use in design, analysis, and decision-making.

Aerial & drone Surveying for your sector

Surveying Services for Multiple Industries

Environmental & Energy

Environmental & Energy

Public Sector & Services

Public Sector & Services

Defence & Justice

Defence & Justice

Rural & Agriculture

Rural & Agriculture

Architecture & Project Management

Architecture & Project Management

Commercial & Retail

Commercial & Retail

Heritage & Cultural Restoration

Heritage & Cultural Restoration

Bathymetric & Hydrographic

Bathymetric & Hydrographic

Industrial & Logistics

Industrial & Logistics

Housing & Development

Housing & Development

Demolition & Remediation

Demolition & Remediation

Construction & Civil Engineering

Construction & Civil Engineering

Infrastructure, Roads & Highways

Infrastructure, Roads & Highways
Why Choose Site Surveying Services for aerial drone surveys?

experienced

Professional UAV surveyors with CAA compliance

expertise

Lancashire-based expertise with UK-wide coverage

Flexible

Flexible solutions across photogrammetry and LiDAR

fast results

Fast turnaround and clear deliverables

tailored

Projects tailored to your requirements

outputs

Outputs designed for CAD, GIS and BIM workflows

Download our Aerial & Drone Brochure!

...and find out more...
What we do

our services

Land and Engineering Surveyors

Topographical

topographical surveys

Site Surveying Services work with a variety of different clients on different projects, and we pride ourselves on delivering accurate, efficient, cost effective surveys ensuring our clients receive the best possible product.

Thermal

utility mapping

Using the latest equipment, we can provide the location of underground services in either 2D or 3D. We use state of the art Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Location to assist your project when service avoidance may be a potential issue on site.

Tach

monitoring

Is there any movement? That is the question that is asked before and during any monitoring scheme.  That is the reason we undertake monitoring, to check for movement.

Setting Out

laser scanning

For mass collection of accurate survey data then nothing beats scanning.  Using 3D laser Scanners the surveyors can capture millions of points per second with the creation of a PointCloud. 

Utility Mapping

volumetric analysis

We specialise in the analysis of a scheme’s volumetrics at any point in time.  Be it Tender, Prestart, Monthly, Weekly, or Final.

bathymetric surveys

By using the latest surveying technology, we have been able to survey watercourses safely and efficiently.

setting out & site engineering

Bread and butter work for us!  Having a strong relationship with many civil engineering companies we have a very strong team of Site Engineers and Engineering Surveyors working for us. 

Control Network

control network installation

At Site Surveying Services we have vast experience in this field.  Be it a large highway scheme or a private property we can advise on what accuracies are required from your control network depending on what work you are carrying out and the tolerances you are carrying this work out to.

UAV Mapping

uav mapping & aerial surveys

Large areas of ground can be covered capturing the most unbelievable detail which would just be unable to be recorded with traditional methods.  Our clients have really seen the benefit of what UAV surveys bring to the table.

measured building surveys

From an Industrial Unit through to a Historic House to a Semi Detached House, Site Surveying Services can provide a measured building survey for all.

3D

3d machine control

Machine control systems have been around for years now and Site Surveying Services have been utilising these systems from the very start.  We realised the benefits of these systems early on when working with earthworks contractors.

Hire

survey equipment hire

Being a leader in the Surveying and Engineering sector we have a fleet of modern survey equipment at our disposal which is second to none.  We carry the latest GNSS Base Stations, GNSS Rovers, Robotic Total Stations, Laser Scanners, Digital Levels, and Dual Grade Lasers.

Virtual Tour 3D

Virtual Tour 3D is an immersive experience which instantly transports your clients to your business, and guides them through your space, creating a seamless and captivating experience.

BIM Model Creation

BIM (Building Information Modelling) model creation in surveying refers to the process of using specialised software to create a 3D digital model of a building or infrastructure project that includes information about the project’s design, construction, and maintenance.