Drone construction progress reporting in Zimbabwe: what owners get each month
- Aerial Galaxy
- Oct 10
- 3 min read
Author: Ayanda Sibanda Date: 10 October 2025 Reading time: ~4 minutes
Brief Overview (for busy owners & Project Managers)
Monthly drone progress reports include: (1) a dated orthomosaic (site map) for an overall perspective, (2) detailed annotations for month-over-month comparisons, (3) a short recap video for stakeholders, (4) a shareable and storable PDF, and (5) optional measurements like areas, lengths, and volumes. Turnaround time is usually 48–72 hours after the flight.
Why use drones for progress reporting in Zimbabwe?
Construction sites are spread out, teams are mobile, and decisions need evidence. Aerial reporting from licensed CAAZ pilots delivers a consistent site record without slowing work down. Unlike ground photos, a top-down orthomosaic allows you to view the entire site, assess access routes, and confirm that the planned works are correctly positioned.
Common use cases
Programme verification (are we on or off schedule?)
Claim support (as‑built evidence)
Remote updates for executives and donors
Handover documentation at project close‑out
Standard Monthly Deliverables
Orthomosaic site map (GeoTIFF + web viewer) A high‑resolution, georeferenced map created from hundreds of photos. You can pan/zoom in a web viewer and export snapshots for reports.
MoM (month‑over‑month) change overlay Side‑by‑side or slider comparisons showing what changed since last month (new slabs, excavations, roof trusses, utilities). We annotate the key changes so non‑engineers can follow.
Fixed‑point photo set Photos taken from the same vantage points each month (e.g., north gate, admin block, stockyard) to provide a familiar visual timeline.
Progress recap video (30–60 seconds) A quick video that highlights the month’s changes—perfect for board packs or WhatsApp updates.
PDF summary report A concise, date‑stamped report with the best images, annotations, and a short commentary. Ideal for approvals and archives.
Optional measurements
Areas and lengths (roads, pads, fencing)
Contours / DSM / DTM for planning checks
Stockpile volumetrics (CSV per pile + cut/fill summary)
Accuracy: relative vs absolute
Relative accuracy (standard): excellent for visual tracking and approximate measurements. No ground control required; fastest delivery.
Absolute accuracy (survey‑grade): recommended for audited measurements or when designs are tied to coordinates. We lay GCPs to tighten tolerances. We’ll specify the setup in each report so stakeholders know what the numbers mean.
Typical monthly cadence
Week 1 — Confirm flight schedule, taking into account weather and site accessibility.
Day 1 — Conduct data capture (typically 30–90 minutes on-site for most locations).
Day 2–4 — Perform data processing and quality assurance.
Day 3–5 — Deliverables include a viewer link, PDF, and recap video.
Optional — A 15-minute review call to discuss any changes.
Fixed‑point site photo sequence over time
How Owners and Project Managers Utilize the Outputs
Design checks: overlay the orthomosaic in CAD/GIS to verify positions (with absolute accuracy jobs).
Risk reviews: confirm temporary works, access routes, and housekeeping before audits.
Stakeholder communications: share the recap video and viewer link—no software installs needed.
Obtain approvals: attach the PDF pages and a few labeled snapshots to payment packs.
Site readiness checklist (so flights run smoothly)
Confirm access permissions and an on‑site safety contact
Avoid blasting or heavy crane lifts during the flight window
Clear sky or light cloud preferred; avoid rain and high winds
If GCPs are required, allow time to place/measure control
Deliverables & formats (at a glance)
Viewer link: pan/zoom web map (password on request)
PDF report: highlights, annotations, MoM comparisons
Images: JPG/PNG exports for slides or WhatsApp
Data (optional): GeoTIFF (ortho/DSM/DTM), DXF/SHP/GPKG (contours), CSV (volumes/measurements)
Frequently asked questions
How big a site can you cover in one session? Most construction sites (up to ~50 ha) are captured in a single visit; larger areas are planned in safe sections.
Will drones disrupt work? No. We coordinate with your site team, fly outside crane/blast windows, and keep clear of people and plant.
Can you fly in towns or near airports? We follow CAAZ rules and local by‑laws. Some areas require extra approvals—we handle that in planning.
What if the weather is bad? We’ll reschedule within the agreed window. Wind and rain degrade image quality; safety first.
Pricing & scheduling
Every site is different. Pricing depends on site size, travel, deliverables and whether absolute accuracy (GCP) is required. Monthly or bi‑weekly plans reduce cost per visit.
Get a Quote or start a WhatsApp Chat
About Aerial Galaxy
We provide end‑to‑end aerial data and 360° experiences across Zimbabwe: orthomosaics, DSM/DTM, contours, stockpile volumes, and 360 virtual tours. Flights are conducted by licensed CAAZ pilots. Turnaround is typically 48–72 hours after capture.
Have questions or a site in mind? Get a Quote or start a WhatsApp chat and we’ll pencil in your monthly slot.
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