Volumetric & stockpile surveys
Accurate stockpile and earthworks volumes from RTK drone surveys, captured quickly and safely, as often as you need them.
Available Files: Volume Reports, 3D Models, Orthomosaics & CSV
RTK
Survey-Grade Positioning
Daily
Weekly or Monthly
3D
Volume Models
0
People on Stockpiles
Stockpile & Volumetric Surveys
Measuring stockpiles with traditional survey equipment is slow and means walking over loose material. A drone volumetric survey captures the whole site from above in a single flight.
Using RTK drones aligned with ground control points, we build an accurate 3D model and calculate the volume of every stockpile, plus cut and fill, slopes and trench depths where needed.
With daily, weekly or monthly surveys, you can track material movement, reconcile stock and spot discrepancies quickly.
Example Image Quality
Click each image to view example image quality
What Your Volumetric Survey Can Include
Choose one-off volumes or a regular schedule to track stock and earthworks over time.
| Deliverable | What it is | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Stockpile volumes | Volume of every stockpile, with a clear report. | Standard |
| 3D site model | An accurate 3D surface model of the whole site. | Standard |
| Orthomosaic | A measurable top-down image of the site. | Standard |
| CSV data | Volume data ready for your own spreadsheets. | Standard |
| Cut and fill | Volumes compared against a design or previous survey. | Optional |
| Scheduled surveys | Daily, weekly or monthly visits to track change. | Optional |
| Slope and trench analysis | Slope angles and trench depths from the 3D model. | Optional |
For regular surveys, we fly the same plan each visit so results compare like-for-like over time.
At a Glance
Capture
RTK drone + GCPs
Frequency
One-off or scheduled
Pilot network
Nationwide
Cut & fill
Available
Scaffold needed
None
Coverage
Mainland UK
Get a Quote
Send us an address. We will come back the same working day with a price and a scope.
Why Clients Choose Drone Volumetric Surveys
Accurate volumes help you control stock, costs and valuations. Clients benefit from:
Knowing the condition of your whole portfolio lets you mitigate risk, prioritise spending and act on real evidence rather than assumptions.
The result?
Reliable volumes you can reconcile against deliveries, valuations and your programme.
Photogrammetry
From images to volumes
Our photogrammetry software turns overlapping aerial images into an accurate 3D surface of your site. From it we calculate stockpile volumes, cut and fill against a design or previous survey, slope angles and trench depths.
Combined with regular visits, the data shows how stockpiles and earthworks change over time, so you can track usage and spot mismanagement early.
Every stockpile, measured the same way every time.
CAA
CAA Operational Authorisation 11363
Fully insured, with £10m public liability and specialist UAV cover
Why drones
Why use drones for volumetric surveys?
Walking stockpiles with a GNSS rover is slow and unsafe. A drone measures the entire surface of every pile in minutes, with far more data points and no one on the material.
- No one on the stockpile. Every pile measured from the air.
- Fast. Whole sites captured in minutes.
- Accurate. RTK drones checked against ground control.
- Repeatable. The same flight plan every visit.
- Actionable. Volumes you can reconcile against stock and valuations.
Stockpiles and earthworks measured from accurate 3D models.
Why choose us
Why choose Drone Site Surveys?
When you’re managing large volumes of materials, accurate measurements matter. Whether monitoring aggregate stockpiles, calculating excavation volumes or tracking earthworks progress, reliable data is essential for controlling costs, managing resources and making informed operational decisions.
At Drone Site Surveys, we combine RTK-enabled drones, GNSS ground control points, LiDAR and advanced photogrammetry to capture detailed, measurable 3D data across quarries, construction sites, recycling facilities and bulk material storage areas. Our experienced survey teams understand the importance of accuracy, repeatability and consistent survey methods, particularly when comparing material volumes or monitoring changes over time.
Unlike general aerial photography providers, we specialise in turning drone imagery and spatial data into practical surveying outputs, including stockpile volume calculations, cut-and-fill analysis, 3D surface models and measurable point clouds. Our approach provides site managers, engineers and commercial teams with dependable information for material reconciliation, progress reporting and project planning.
Need to measure stockpiles, verify material quantities or monitor earthworks? Speak to our team about a professional drone volumetric survey tailored to your site, measurement requirements and reporting needs.
Clients choose Drone Site Surveys for our specialist experience, professional standards and independent approach:
How it works
Our volumetric survey process
From first enquiry to secure delivery, every survey follows the same six steps, so you always know what happens next and when.
Tell us about the area
Tell us about the site, the stockpiles or earthworks to measure and how often you need data. We’ll set up a capture plan.
Planning and quote
We carry out a desktop appraisal of the area and the surrounding airspace, check the survey against current UK drone regulations, and prepare your quote. You receive it by email with no obligation, along with the airspace map for your site and an example delivery so you can see exactly what you’ll be getting.
Booking your date
Once you’re happy with the quote we add your job to the schedule and start monitoring the Met Office forecast. In the meantime we prepare the pre-flight paperwork, including our risk assessment and method statement (RAMS), which we can send over for your records. As soon as we have a clear weather window and pilot availability, we confirm your attendance date. You don’t normally need to be on site.
The survey
Our CAA approved pilots fly the site with an RTK drone, using ground control points to check accuracy, on the same flight plan each visit.
Processing
The imagery is processed into a 3D model and volumes are calculated for each stockpile, with comparisons against previous surveys if required.
Delivery
We email you a link to our secure online portal, where your imagery, reports and any other agreed outputs are ready to view, download and share with your team or contractors. Alongside the deliverables you’ll find a folder containing the pre-flight paperwork, a copy of the drone airspace map for your site and any other relevant documents, so everything from the survey is in one place.
Request a Quote
Request a volumetric survey quote
Whether it’s a one-off stock take or a weekly schedule across several sites, we can tailor the survey to your operation.
Send us the address and a brief description of what you need, and we will come back with clear pricing and deliverable options.
Prefer to Speak to Us?
If you’d rather speak to one of the team, that’s no problem. Simply call the number below and one of our team will be more than happy to help.
Get a Quote
In The Know
Frequently Asked
Questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about volumetric and stockpile surveys. If yours is not covered here, give us a call.
How accurate are drone stockpile surveys?
Using RTK drones and ground control points, drone volumetric surveys are highly accurate. We’ll confirm the expected accuracy for your site when we quote.
How often can you survey?
Daily, weekly or monthly, or as a one-off. We fly the same plan each time so results are comparable. One off flights do not allow for comparisons and cut and fill calculations etc.
Can you calculate cut and fill?
Yes. We can compare the site surface against a design model or a previous survey.
What do you deliver?
A volume report, 3D model, orthomosaic and CSV data, with other formats available on request.
Do we need to stop work on site?
Usually not. We agree flight times and take-off areas with your team in advance.
Can you survey several sites?
Yes. We use the same method at every site and deliver results in a consistent format. Carrying out work on multiple sites will ensure a cost reduction as we operate on volume works for pricing.