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Drone survey

Photogrammetric & Thermographic Surveys

LADS captures overlapping drone imagery and processes it into precise 2D and 3D models of buildings, façades and roofs, with thermal data layered on where required.

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A photograph tells you what something looks like. A model tells you where everything is. By flying a structured pattern and capturing hundreds of overlapping images, we can reconstruct a building as measurable geometry — elevations, roof planes, parapets, plant, defects and all.

Add the thermal layer and the same model carries temperature information, so a cold bridge or a wet roof build-up is not just visible but located. It is the difference between a report that says there is damp somewhere on the north elevation and one that shows exactly which bay.

2D & 3D Surveys — key facts

Outputs
2D orthographic elevations and plans, 3D models of buildings, façades and roofs
Capture
Structured overlapping drone imagery, visual and thermal
Applications
Condition surveys, dilapidations, planning and design information, repair scoping
Access required
None — the building is not touched during capture
Coverage
Essex from our Wickford base, and the rest of the UK by arrangement

How 2d & 3d surveys works, step by step

  1. Define the deliverable

    We start from what you need to do with the model: measure a façade, scope a roof repair, record a condition, or evidence a defect. That decides the flight pattern and the level of detail.

  2. Structured flight

    The aircraft flies a planned grid and orbit so every surface appears in multiple overlapping frames — the overlap is what makes accurate reconstruction possible.

  3. Processing

    Images are processed into a point cloud and mesh, then into the outputs you asked for. Thermal frames are aligned to the same geometry where a thermographic layer is required.

  4. Handover

    You receive the model and derived 2D outputs in a format your team can open and use, along with the source imagery.

Who 2d & 3d surveys is for

  • Building surveyors preparing condition or dilapidations reports
  • Architects and designers needing an accurate record of an existing building
  • Asset owners recording the state of a portfolio before and after works
  • Contractors scoping and pricing façade or roof repairs from measurable data
  • Heritage and conservation projects where physical access is restricted

Why choose LADS for 2d & 3d surveys

  • Capture, interpretation and physical follow-up sit with one team, so a defect spotted in the model can be inspected from a spider lift without bringing in a second contractor.
  • Nothing is touched during capture, which matters on fragile roofs, listed fabric and occupied buildings.
  • A model is a permanent record. It can be re-measured later without going back to site.
  • Thermal and visual data are captured on the same visit rather than as two separate exercises.

Questions

2D & 3D Surveys — asked and answered

What is photogrammetry in plain English?

It is the process of turning many overlapping photographs into an accurate three-dimensional model. Because the software knows where each image was taken from, it can reconstruct real geometry.

How accurate is a drone-derived model?

Accuracy depends on flight height, image overlap and the control used on site. Tell us the tolerance you need and we will plan the capture to meet it or tell you it is not achievable.

Can you add thermal data to the model?

Yes. Thermal frames can be captured on the same visit and aligned to the same geometry, so temperature anomalies appear in their true position on the building.

What file formats do I get?

We agree the deliverable before the flight so the output opens in the software your team already uses. Tell us what you need at enquiry stage.

Do you need scaffolding or roof access?

No. The whole capture is flown, which is why this approach suits occupied buildings, fragile roofs and restricted sites.

Do you carry out 3D building surveys outside Essex?

Essex is our core area, worked from Wickford, and we take survey commissions across the UK by arrangement because the equipment travels with the crew. See every area we cover.

Related

Often booked together

Drone inspection

Thermal-Imaging Drone Inspections

Radiometric thermal imaging from the air, finding damp, heat loss and hidden defects without touching the building.

Read more

Restoration

Cladding & Stone Restoration

Controlled dry-steam cleaning of heritage stone, listed brickwork and modern cladding, delivered from spider lifts.

Read more

Where we do this

2D & 3D Surveys across Essex and beyond

Every town below is inside our regular working area, served from the yard at Wickford. Work outside Essex is arranged in the same way.

See every area we cover

Enquiry

Get a quote for 2D & 3D Surveys

Photographs of the problem and the approach to it usually let us be specific first time.

Preferred contact
Call 0330 043 0961

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