It depends on which drone we’re using. Small drones give us more flexibility. Larger drones require different logistics.

It Depends on the Drone

Small drones under 249 grams can legally fly over people. That means we can operate from public parking lots, sidewalks, and streets. This is the guerrilla approach. Fast, simple, minimal coordination.

Larger drones can’t fly over people. For these shoots, we need site access or a controlled area where people aren’t present. That adds coordination but sometimes the larger drone is necessary for the shot quality or specific camera requirements.

Why We Prefer Off-Site When Possible

The moment site access gets requested, the project gets complicated. Construction sites require safety orientation. That means coordinating schedules with the safety officer, the site rep, and our team. Everyone’s availability has to line up, along with the weather. Off-site shoots are simpler.

Active job sites are messy. Floors are covered in materials and debris. Rebar and scaffolding eliminate flat surfaces. We need hard, clean surfaces for takeoff and landing. A parking lot beats a construction zone every time.

We also avoid rooftops unless the building is only a few stories. High-rise rooftops create unpredictable wind. The drone gets hit with updrafts and downdrafts coming off the building, making control difficult. Better to stage from the ground.

When Site Access Actually Matters

High-profile locations where flying from public areas raises security concerns. Sites where there isn’t a suitable nearby parking lot or public space. Interior photography. Those are the situations where site access makes sense.

Even for interior views, shooting from the actual unit under construction often doesn’t work. Safety fencing blocks windows. Materials and equipment fill the space. No room for a tripod. In these cases, we’ll capture the view from the air at the appropriate elevation instead.

The Real Issue: Cranes

For construction sites, cranes are what matter. We need to know: How many? How high? Where are they located? What times do they operate?

If the views are above the cranes, no problem. If we need to fly below them, we can only operate when the cranes are stopped. Some sites have off days like Sunday. Otherwise, we coordinate around their schedule.

Crane configurations change as construction progresses. We ask about crane schedules when bidding, then verify again after booking. If a crane jump is scheduled near the shoot date, we need to work around it.

What About Built-Out Floors?

Common situation: client wants views from Level 10, but construction has already built to Level 15. Easy fix. We fly from the requested elevation, just off the building footprint. The perspective is slightly zoomed in, but on the same axis so the view stays the same.

What You Actually Need to Arrange

Unless we specifically ask for site access, assume we don’t need it. What we do need: accurate crane information, construction schedules, and any timing constraints. That coordination matters more than getting us on-site.

If site access turns out to be necessary and you can’t arrange it, we’ll find an alternative off-site location. Sometimes that means adjusting the scope based on what’s achievable from public areas. But that’s rare. Most shoots work fine from a parking lot a few blocks away.