Using Drones in Residential Construction May Become More Popular

Business Management
Published

More and more home builders are embracing technology to help keep their businesses running amid the current COVD-19 pandemic. Teleworking when possible, online closings and other services, and increased private showings were all cited in a recent NAHB survey of builders.

But other technologies, like the use of drones to make properties more accessible, have been helpful in recent years, and may become more widely used as the industry adapts due to stay at home orders, social distancing, and possible restricted movement even as some state stay orders have lifted.

Tracy Butler, executive officer of the Illinois Home Builders & Remodelers Metro East Association was recently interviewed for Building Women magazine about her use of drones to spark interest in an event. Butler used a local production company to create videos that included both aerial and interior footage. The drones were able to capture a 360-degree view of the exterior of a home and fly-ins showcased the interiors.

Butler and others noted that attendance had wavered at some events in recent years, leaving some builders unable to keep all their homes manned with sales agents during events like a Parade of Homes or her Dream Homes event. Drone footage videos can bring the homes directly to buyers via their computer or cell phones.

“The bottom line is prospective home buyers could see the attractive new homes from the convenience of their smartphone,” Butler said. “It truly was a win-win for everyone.”

Of the more than 1.5 million drones registered in the United States, about one third are registered for commercial use, with home builders at the forefront of the technology’s use for things like aerial photographs for promotional materials, tracking progress during development of sites, and preliminary surveillance before starting a project.

Drone photography is not new but may be one tool that could see increased usage by builders for sales and marketing, showcasing an entire community and its surroundings as well as individual homes. Drone images can also be used during surveying and acquisition of land.

Two recent webinars addressing the topic of how businesses and sales teams are adjusting their strategies.

This post is adapted from a recent article in Building Women magazine, which takes an in-depth look at women in building, and features on current industry trends, innovative products, the latest technology, and economic forecasts. Readers will also find a variety of interesting columns on career building, work/life balance, business management, and the latest on Professional Women in Building Council news, events and activities. See more at nahb.org

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

House Prices

Jun 13, 2025

Which Markets Have Seen the Greatest House Price Appreciation Since the Pandemic?

House price growth slowed in the first quarter of 2025, partly due to a decline in demand and an increase in supply. But since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, house prices have surged nationally. See which markets saw the greatest - and the least - house price appreciation since the pandemic.

Professional Women in Building Council | Workforce Development

Jun 12, 2025

How PWB Members are Bridging the Skilled Labor Gap in Construction

NAHB's Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council has announced a new workforce development partnership with SkillsUSA, a national education nonprofit.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jun 13, 2025

Household Real Estate Asset Value Falls to Start the Year

The market value of household real estate assets fell from $48.1 trillion to $47.9 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, according to the most recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve Z.1 Financial Accounts. The value of household real estate assets declined for three consecutive quarters after peaking at $48.8 trillion in the second quarter of 2024 but remains 2.1% higher over the year.

Economics

Jun 12, 2025

Producer Prices Rise in May: New Construction Input Analysis

Prices for inputs to new residential construction—excluding capital investment, labor, and imports—rose 0.2% in May, following a (revised) decrease of 0.2% in April. These figures are taken from the most recent Producer Price Index (PPI) report published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Economics

Jun 11, 2025

Inflation Up Slightly in May

Despite inflationary pressure from tariffs, inflation in May rose slightly but came in softer than expected. The Consumer Price Index increased from 2.3% in April to 2.4% in May year-over-year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report.