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Drone photogrammetry cut and fill stockpile volumetrics Houston Texas
Aerial Photogrammetry • Construction & Earthwork • Greater Houston

Centimeter-Accurate Aerial Mapping & Earthwork Volumetrics

High-resolution 2D orthomosaics, cut/fill difference maps, stockpile volumes, and milestone progress tracking — deliverable-ready in GeoTIFF, LAS/LAZ, and DXF for Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and GIS.

1–2 cm
Ground Sample Distance
±2 cm
Horizontal Accuracy (with GCPs)
Civil 3D
Direct CAD / DXF / GeoTIFF Export
24–48 hr
Turnaround on Volumes & Orthos

Photogrammetry Deliverables

Production-ready files your engineering and GIS teams can use immediately.

🗺️

2D Orthomosaic

A geometrically corrected, high-resolution aerial map stitched from hundreds of overlapping photos. Accurate measurements anywhere on the map.

  • GeoTIFF format, georeferenced (WGS84 / TX State Plane)
  • Resolution: 1–3 cm GSD at standard altitude
  • Import directly into AutoCAD, ArcGIS, QGIS, or Google Earth
  • Ideal for site documentation, boundary confirmation, progress tracking
🧊

3D Point Cloud & Mesh

Dense point cloud reconstruction and textured 3D mesh models for visualization, BIM integration, and structural analysis.

  • LAS/LAZ point cloud, classified on request
  • OBJ or FBX 3D textured mesh
  • Compatible with Revit, Civil 3D, Navisworks
  • Ideal for as-built documentation and site modeling
📐

Volumetric Calculations

Accurate cut/fill, stockpile volume, and earthwork quantity calculations — faster and safer than ground surveys.

  • Stockpile volume reports (tons or cubic yards)
  • Cut/fill analysis with color-coded difference maps
  • Progress billing support for earthwork contractors
  • Repeat flights to track volume change over time
🏗️

Construction Progress Documentation

Scheduled aerial mapping flights to document construction milestones, verify work-in-place, and support project management.

  • Weekly, bi-weekly, or milestone-based scheduling
  • Consistent flight paths for apples-to-apples comparison
  • Annotated progress reports for owner/PM teams
  • Supports pay app verification and dispute resolution
Civil Engineering & Commercial Construction

Cut/Fill Verification, Stockpiles & Progress Retainers

Designed specifically for general contractors, civil developers, and earthwork estimators needing dependable geospatial proof before signing off on pay applications.

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Cut/Fill Elevation Difference Maps

Quantify earthwork progress by comparing your active site against design grade (LandXML or CAD). We produce color-coded elevation heatmaps showing exactly where dirt needs to be moved.

  • Net cut and fill volume calculations in cubic yards
  • Avoid disputes and verify earthwork subcontractor invoices
  • Export cross-sections and contour deltas for Civil 3D
  • Fast turnaround: fly today, calculate tomorrow
🏔️

Stockpile Volumetrics (Cubic Yards & Tons)

Rapid, high-accuracy volume calculation for aggregates, topsoil, crushed stone, and sand. Eliminates dangerous manual climbing and rough measuring-wheel estimates.

  • Custom base-plane modeling for slopes and retaining walls
  • Density factors applied to convert volume to tonnage
  • Formal PDF inventory certification reports for accounting & audits
  • Repeat measurements to track depletion rates over time
📅

Scheduled Construction Progress Retainers

Bi-weekly or monthly automated flight missions documenting every stage of construction from groundbreaking and utility trenching to slab pours and dry-in.

  • Repeatable, centimeter-accurate flight routes for perfect time-lapse alignment
  • Provide banks, lenders, and out-of-town owners transparent visual proof
  • Permanent record of subsurface plumbing and electrical before burial
  • Dispute defense and change-order documentation
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Civil 3D & CAD-Ready Deliverables

We speak your engineering department's language. No incompatible file types or conversion hassles — your data drops straight into your active coordinate system.

  • Texas State Plane coordinate georeferencing (NAD83 / NAVD88)
  • High-res GeoTIFF raster base maps for CAD plan overlays
  • Classified LAS/LAZ point clouds for surface generation
  • 1-ft and 2-ft elevation contours exported in .DXF and .DWG

Equipment & Accuracy

4/3 CMOS optics and professional processing for survey-grade results.

DJI Zenmuse L3 — Photogrammetry Camera

Sensor4/3 CMOS, 20 MP
Lens24mm equiv, f/2.8–f/11
GSD at 100m AGL~2.5 cm/pixel
Overlap80% front / 70% side (typical)
GNSSRTK / PPK capable
IMUDual IMU, anti-vibration mount

Deliverables & Formats

OrthomosaicGeoTIFF (georeferenced)
DSM / DTMGeoTIFF raster
Point CloudLAS / LAZ
3D MeshOBJ / FBX (on request)
ContoursDXF / SHP (on request)
Accuracy ReportIncluded with every project

Industries We Serve

🏗️

Construction

Progress documentation and earthwork verification

🏘️

Land Development

Grading plans and site layout

⚙️

Engineering Firms

As-built surveys and quantity takeoffs

🏛️

Municipalities

Infrastructure mapping and asset management

⛏️

Mining & Aggregates

Stockpile volumes and pit progress

Drone photogrammetry service area Houston Southeast Texas

Service Area

Based in Spring, TX — no mobilization fee for sites within 100 miles of Houston.

Travel available for East Texas projects. Contact us for a travel quote.

HoustonSpringThe WoodlandsConroeKatySugar LandBeaumontLufkin

Photogrammetry FAQ

What is a drone orthomosaic?+
An orthomosaic is a geometrically corrected, high-resolution aerial map stitched from hundreds of overlapping drone photos. Unlike a regular aerial photo, an orthomosaic has a consistent scale across the entire image and can be used for accurate measurements, import into CAD/GIS software, and time-lapse comparison.
Can you calculate cut/fill volumes against our civil engineer's grading plan?+
Yes. By importing your project's design surface (LandXML, CAD, or DXF) or comparing successive drone flights, we calculate net cut/fill volumes with color-coded elevation difference maps, verifying subcontractor quantities down to the cubic yard before you approve invoices.
What file formats do you deliver for Civil 3D and AutoCAD?+
We export production-ready georeferenced GeoTIFFs for CAD raster overlays, classified LAS/LAZ point clouds, LandXML surface files, and 1-foot or 2-foot topographic contours in .DXF and .DWG formats referenced to Texas State Plane coordinates.
What accuracy can I expect?+
Ground sample distance (GSD) of 1–2 cm/pixel is achievable at typical flight altitudes. With ground control points (GCPs), horizontal accuracy reaches 1–3 cm RMS. Without GCPs, expect 5–10 cm horizontal accuracy using the onboard RTK/PPK GNSS. We provide a full accuracy report with every deliverable.
How is photogrammetry different from LiDAR?+
Photogrammetry uses overlapping photographs and computer vision to reconstruct 3D geometry. It produces very high-resolution visual output (orthomosaics, textured 3D meshes) and is excellent in open areas. LiDAR uses laser pulses and is superior in vegetated areas where the laser can penetrate tree canopy to reach the bare earth. For construction sites, graded land, and hard surfaces, photogrammetry is often the better value. For forested terrain, topographic surveys, or flood plain modeling, LiDAR is preferred.
Can you repeat flights for construction progress tracking?+
Yes — and this is one of the most valuable applications. We fly consistent flight paths so each deliverable is directly comparable to previous flights. Progress reports are delivered showing exactly what changed between visits. Weekly, bi-weekly, and milestone-based schedules are all available.

Request a Mapping Quote

Tell us about your site and we'll respond within 2–4 business hours with a custom quote. Accepts boundary files (KMZ, KML, SHP, DXF).

Mapping Project Inquiry

We'll follow up with a custom quote within 2–4 business hours.

Typical response: 2–4 business hours.