Case Study: Emergency Stockpile Volume Survey Delivered in 5 Hours: Dublin Construction Site
Client Challenge: Dispute Resolution Under Time Pressure
A regular construction customer in Dublin faced an urgent problem. Their subcontractor claimed that 450 cubic metres of material needed to be removed from the site, but the main contractor suspected the figure was inflated. With payment negotiations stalled and site progress halted, they needed an independent volumetric survey completed immediately to resolve the dispute.
The challenge was timing. Traditional surveying methods would take 3-5 days to mobilise, survey, and process the data. The client contacted us at 9:30 am on a Tuesday, asking whether we could provide accurate stockpile measurements by the close of business that day.
We provide same-day emergency drone surveys across Dublin and Leinster. Call us on 087-2052331 or email [email protected] for immediate assistance.
The Project: Independent Volumetric Analysis
Location: Construction site, South Dublin
Material Type: Mixed excavated material stockpile
Survey Method: UAV photogrammetry with RTK positioning
Timeline: 5 hours from initial call to final deliverable
Deliverables: Calculated volumes, 3D point cloud, orthomosaic photography, and detailed measurement report
Our Solution: Rapid Deployment Drone Survey
We mobilised within 90 minutes of the initial call. Our licensed drone pilot arrived on site at 11:00am with RTK-enabled survey equipment, enabling us to capture highly accurate measurements without extensive ground control point setup.
The drone survey itself took just 15 minutes to capture over 300 overlapping images of the stockpile from multiple angles and altitudes. This comprehensive image dataset enabled us to build a detailed 3D model of the entire material pile with an accuracy of within 20mm.
Back at our office, we processed the survey data using professional photogrammetry software. The software reconstructed the stockpile in 3D, allowing us to digitally measure the volume against the existing ground level. We provided multiple measurement scenarios, including volume calculations from different base levels to account for any settling or ground variation.
Results: Fast, Accurate, Cost-Effective
By 2:30pm the same day, we delivered:
- Comprehensive volume calculation report showing 710 cubic metres (not 850 as claimed)
- High-resolution orthomosaic maps showing the exact stockpile location and dimensions
- 3D point cloud data that could be independently verified
- Detailed methodology documentation for potential legal use
Key Outcomes
The independent survey data showed the actual volume was 16% less than the subcontractor’s estimate, representing a potential saving of over €2,500 in unnecessary haulage and disposal costs for our client.
More importantly, having objective, survey-grade data allowed both parties to reach an agreement within 24 hours. The project resumed the following day, avoiding costly delays that would have far exceeded the survey cost.
Client Testimonial: “We couldn’t believe how quickly Drone Services Ireland turned this around. The survey was completed before lunch, and we had the full report by mid-afternoon. The accurate data saved us thousands and got our project back on track. Highly recommended.” – Project Manager, Dublin Civil Engineering Contractor
Why Drone Surveys Work for Urgent Volumetric Measurements
Traditional land surveying methods require significant setup time, multiple site visits, and manual data collection that can take hours or days, depending on stockpile size and site complexity. Drone surveys offer several advantages:
Speed
Site mobilisation within hours, not days. Flight time measured in minutes, not hours. Results are delivered the same day when needed.
Accuracy
RTK-corrected positioning provides survey-grade accuracy comparable to traditional total station methods, typically within 20-50mm for volumetric calculations.
Cost-Effectiveness
No need for extensive ground control networks or multiple surveyor visits. A single operator can capture comprehensive data during a single mobilisation.
Safety
No requirement for surveyors to climb on potentially unstable stockpiles or work around active plant and machinery.
Documentation
Complete visual record of site conditions at the time of survey, valuable for dispute resolution or progress monitoring.
Applications Beyond Dispute Resolution
While this project focused on resolving a payment dispute, the same rapid-response drone surveying approach works for numerous construction and quarry applications:
- Monthly or weekly stockpile inventory management for quarries and aggregate suppliers
- Cut and fill calculations for earthworks projects
- Progress monitoring and volume tracking for large-scale developments
- Material reconciliation for contractors managing multiple material types
- Baseline surveys before project commencement
- Final volume verification for payment certification
Ask about our monthly subscription service for quarries and construction sites. Predictable costs, priority scheduling, and detailed volume tracking reports.
Request a quote: [email protected] or 087-2052331
Investment and Return
Our emergency same-day survey service costs a fraction of what our client would have lost due to incorrect volume calculations. The survey fee was recovered many times over through:
- Accurate volume data prevents overpayment
- Avoided project delays (estimated at €2,000+ per day for this site)
- Reduced dispute resolution costs (no need for expensive arbitration)
- Faster project resumption
Cost Comparison: Drone Survey vs Traditional Methods
| Method | Typical Cost | Mobilisation Time | Results Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Survey | €1,500-€2,500 | 2-5 days | 3-7 days |
| Drone Survey (Standard) | €800-€1,200 | Same/next day | 24-48 hours |
| Drone Survey (Emergency) | €1,200-€1,800 | Within 2 hours | Same day |
For businesses managing multiple stockpiles or requiring regular volume monitoring, we offer subscription services that reduce per-survey costs even further whilst providing monthly inventory data for accounting and management purposes.