
Drones have multiple advantages when used for structure inspections.
Structural inspections are one area where drones can not only do a better job than a manual inspection but offer cost savings, improved safety and the ability to go where it is difficult for a human inspector. Cost savings and efficiency are positive aspects of an online contractor school also because a contractor not only saves money by using bundled courses but can study for the exams anytime and anywhere.
Cost Savings Using a Drone
Although there are many advantages to using a drone for structure inspections, cost savings is high on the list. Contractors know that sending men up on the roof of a building to conduct an inspection, for example, is time-consuming, expensive and can be hazardous. If that worker has an accident while conducting the inspection, this can negatively impact a valued worker and the company itself.
Drones Are Much Faster
Instead of having to schedule inspections with employees, which involves time and money as well as safety concerns, a drone can be used at any time. Additional advantages include speedy photos or videos since a drone can accomplish a normal building inspection in between five and 20 minutes, labor that may take an employee doing a manual inspection a considerable amount of time. Since taller buildings require scaffolding to conduct an inspection, using a drone is of particular advantage.
Drones Can Provide Detailed Imaging
Drones can not only be used to capture photos or video of large expanses of a construction project but can be used to get into tighter spaces that would be difficult for a human to access. Drones are also capable of transmitting images in real time, which is an advantage when looking for areas of construction that are progressing too slowly, looking for needed corrections in the plan and performing thermal imaging to look for leaks.
Retrieved Data Is of Higher Quality
Even by taking photographs when using traditional inspection techniques, it is limited to smaller areas of a poorer quality. Drones have the ability to be equipped with a number of different sensors that can include cameras with high resolution for clearer photos. In addition, 3D imaging can be used to view areas from any direction and be employed to create detailed models.
Inspections of Multiple Projects
By using human labor to conduct inspections, it takes considerable time and effort to inspect one building. When it comes to multiple buildings in a development, the cost and time increase exponentially. An inspection by humans that might take a week to perform can be accomplished by a drone in an hour or two if the building is really large. A drone cannot only be used to perform inspections in a much faster period of time but has the added advantage of being able to inspect multiple projects even in different locations.
Improving Cost and Efficiency Through Contractor School
PDH Contractor Academy makes taking continuing education courses easy by offering pre-approved contractor classes geared specifically for each state’s requirements. We offer courses for multiple states with either online or convenient correspondence courses available. Combined with great online support for any questions, contractors won’t find an easier way to meet their continuing education requirements. Once a course is successfully completed, we notify the appropriate licensing board, where allowed, and also give the contractor a copy of the completion certificate as proof. Browse courses by state to find out more or sign up for a course.