Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported that 36.1% of contractor members surveyed use drones on construction jobsites, highlighting the growing role of unmanned aerial technology in project monitoring, inspections and mapping.
ABC conducted its drone usage survey among contractor members in May 2026. Nearly three-quarters of respondents were commercial contractors, providing insight into how drone technology is being deployed across active construction operations.
Site progress monitoring was the most commonly reported application, with 80.8% of drone users identifying it as a primary use. Marketing and media followed at 77.5%, while half of respondents use drones for inspections and mapping.
The findings show that contractors are applying drones beyond aerial photography. Jobsite teams can use the technology to document progress, support inspections, collect visual information and improve project communication.
Despite growing use, contractors continue to face obstacles when incorporating drones into their operations. Regulatory and compliance issues were identified as the leading challenge, cited by 53.5% of respondents. Training and staffing followed at 43.4%, while 37.4% cited limited use cases.
Investment levels also vary considerably. Among surveyed contractors, 62% reported investing between $1,000 and $10,000 in drone technology. DJI accounted for 97.1% of respondents' primary drones.
For construction owners and contractors, the findings point to the importance of establishing clear policies for drone operations, operator training, data management and regulatory compliance before expanding their use across projects.
As construction companies continue adopting technology to improve project visibility and operational efficiency, drones are becoming another tool for collecting jobsite data. ABC's findings suggest that wider adoption will depend not only on equipment costs but also on workforce training and streamlined compliance requirements.
Source: ABC Central Ohio.
