Page 14 - BB_JuLY_2019

Builders’ Use of

Drones Remains

Widespread, Mostly

for Promotional Photos

Well over 40 percent of builders continue to use toward the larger builders recently. In the latest survey,
aerial drones, according to special questions on the a below-average although still significant 31 percent
March 2019 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing of builders with fewer than 6 units started in 2018
Market Index (HMI). The first of these questions asks reported using drones. As in previous iterations of the
the single-family builders in the HMI panel if they survey, the share rises systematically with builder size,
have ever used drones in their businesses, including to 40 percent among builders with 6 to 24 starts, 55
any cases where they may have hired third parties to percent among those with 25 to 99 starts, and three-
operate them. Not everyone can fly a drone legally, fourths of those with 100 or more homes started in
even if the drone is relatively small, as use is regulated 2018.
by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In
particular, the FAA’s regulations require that the drone
be registered, and that the operator be certified and
follow certain rules while flying it.

Have Single-family Builders Used Drones
in Their Construction Businesses?

With so many builders, especially the larger ones,
using aerial drones, it makes sense to investigate
how the drones are being used. Although some
builders reported using them for a variety of purposes
Overall, 44 percent of builders reported using drones
in the March 2019 survey, aerial photographs
in 2019, little changed from the 46 percent in 2018, but for promotional materials were by far the most
considerably higher than the 22 percent who reported
common—reported by 84 percent of the builders,
using drones the first time NAHB asked the question compared to under 30 percent for any of the other
in 2016.
listed possibilities.
Builder size continues to matter when it comes to NAHB JUNE 2019
drone use. In fact, use has become even more skewed

14 JULY 2019 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION