Pricing

RTK/PPK Precision Mapping: Full deliverables including orthomosaic, DSM, DTM, contours, and volumetrics. Uses RTK/PPK positioning without ground control. Provides excellent relative accuracy (5-10cm) for measurements within the site. Best for progress monitoring, earthwork tracking, stockpile management, and internal decision-making where verified absolute positioning is not required.

GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping: Same comprehensive deliverables as Tier 1, PLUS ground control points and independent checkpoint verification. Provides verified absolute accuracy (2-5cm horizontal, 3-8cm vertical) with documented quality metrics. Best for engineering design coordination, CAD/BIM integration, permit applications, and projects requiring documented accuracy verification.

Choose RTK/PPK Precision Mapping (Tier 1) when you need:

Progress monitoring and change detection
Stockpile volumes and earthwork quantities
Internal planning and decision-making
Site documentation and visualization
Measurements within the project site

Choose GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping (Tier 2) when you need:

Coordination with engineering design plans or CAD/BIM models
Permit applications requiring documented accuracy
Tying surveys to existing control networks
Combining data from multiple survey dates with different base positions
Third-party verification or stakeholder reporting requiring precision metrics
Contractual accuracy requirements

An orthomosaic is a stitched 2D map built from overlapping drone images captured from above. It is scale-consistent and useful for documentation, measurements, and planning.

Note: Mapping deliverables are not a boundary survey.

RTK/PPK Precision Mapping includes:

Orthomosaic (GeoTIFF + viewable JPG)
Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
1-foot topographic contours
Volumetric calculations and cut/fill analysis
KMZ or web preview for easy viewing

GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping includes everything above PLUS:

Ground control network documentation
Independent checkpoint validation
Accuracy assessment report with documented metrics
Verified coordinates in specified datum/projection

Both tiers can also include point clouds, change detection between dates, and extended analysis areas based on project requirements.

Volumetric calculations depend on relative accuracy - how measurements relate to each other within the same dataset. RTK/PPK positioning provides excellent relative accuracy (5-10cm), which means distances, elevations, and volumes within the site are highly precise and reliable.

Ground control points improve absolute accuracy - how the data aligns to real-world coordinates. This matters when you need to tie to external reference systems (like design plans or property boundaries), but it doesn't significantly improve the accuracy of volume calculations within the same survey.

That's why RTK/PPK Precision Mapping delivers highly accurate volumetrics without requiring the time and cost of ground control.

RTK and PPK are positioning methods that use corrections from a base station or a correction network to improve how accurately the drone camera positions are recorded.

This typically improves georeferencing and repeatability compared to GPS-only capture, which is especially helpful for measurement workflows.

Relative accuracy is how consistent measurements are within the site. Distances, areas, elevations, and volumes behave reliably inside the project.

Absolute accuracy is how well the data aligns to real-world coordinates. If absolute accuracy is off, the entire dataset can be shifted or tilted even if internal measurements look consistent.

Ground Control Points are physical targets placed on-site and measured with a survey rover. They are used during processing to control and correct the model to known coordinates.

Checkpoints are independently measured points used to validate accuracy. They are not used to control the model.

In GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping, checkpoints provide independent verification separate from the control points.

"Verified" means the accuracy is independently validated using checkpoints that were NOT used in processing the data.

Here's how it works:

1. Ground control points (GCPs) are surveyed and used to control the photogrammetric model
2. Separate checkpoint locations are also surveyed but NOT given to the processing software
3. After processing, we compare the checkpoint positions in the final model against their known surveyed positions
4. The differences are documented in an accuracy assessment report

This independent validation proves the accuracy of the final deliverables and provides quality metrics you can share with engineers, stakeholders, or regulatory agencies.

RTK/PPK significantly improves positioning and provides excellent results for most construction applications. However, without independent validation through checkpoints, you cannot prove the final accuracy with documented metrics.

Several factors affect the final result:

Site conditions (terrain, obstructions, satellite visibility)
RTK/PPK signal quality during flight
Photogrammetric processing and bundle adjustment
Base station position accuracy

RTK/PPK Precision Mapping delivers highly accurate data that's excellent for progress monitoring, volumetrics, and internal decision-making. The limitation is that the accuracy is not independently verified with documented metrics.

If you need to prove your accuracy to engineers, stakeholders, or regulators, that's when you need GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping with independent checkpoint validation.

"Tenth-foot" usually refers to 0.1 foot, about 1.2 inches. People often use it as shorthand for tight accuracy expectations.

Without GCP control and independent checkpoints, it is not appropriate to claim that standard.

Accuracy depends on site conditions, capture settings, positioning method, and whether control and validation are used.

RTK/PPK Precision Mapping (Tier 1) provides 5-10cm relative accuracy, which is excellent for volumetric calculations and progress monitoring but is not independently verified.

GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping (Tier 2) provides verified absolute accuracy typically in the 2-5cm horizontal and 3-8cm vertical range, documented through independent checkpoint validation.

If you have a specific accuracy requirement (such as "2cm horizontal accuracy"), mention it up front so we can recommend the appropriate tier and document the results properly.

GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping includes a short summary of the control and validation approach. This typically covers point counts, checkpoint results, and a basic QC overview tied to the project.

This supports confidence in reporting and repeatability. It is not a substitute for licensed survey deliverables.

Volumetrics and cut/fill analysis are included in both mapping tiers at no additional charge. The base per-acre pricing covers standard volumetric calculations within the mapped area.

Extended analysis areas beyond the primary mapped area, or complex multi-comparison analyses across multiple survey dates, may be quoted separately based on scope.

Smart Oblique capture collects nadir images plus multiple oblique angles during a single mission. It is most useful for complex geometry.

Examples include stockpiles, steep slopes, berms, retaining walls, quarry faces, and other irregular shapes.

No. Smart Oblique improves reconstruction completeness. GCPs and checkpoints are about control and validation.

If your project requires documented accuracy verification, GCPs and checkpoints are still the correct tools.

Not always. Flight planning depends on the deliverables and the site.

For many 2D mapping jobs, a single nadir plan is sufficient. For complex geometry and 3D reconstruction, adding obliques can reduce the need for separate oblique passes, depending on conditions and the required output.

Common deliverables include:

Orthomosaic: GeoTIFF (plus a viewable JPG)
Viewing and overlays: KMZ and/or a web preview
Tier 2 outputs: surfaces, contours, and analysis exports can be delivered in GIS and CAD friendly formats based on your workflow

If you have a preferred format or software workflow, call it out in the request so the deliverables match your needs.

If you need context, marketing visuals, and a clear overview, aerial photos are usually enough.

If you need measurements, areas, repeatable progress comparisons, volumes, or cut and fill, you want mapping.

The main drivers are total acreage, required tier (RTK/PPK Precision vs GCP-Controlled Precision Mapping), site access, and analysis outputs (volumes, cut and fill, comparisons).

Turnaround time and travel can also affect pricing.

Typical turnaround is 3 to 5 business days depending on scope.

Rush delivery may be available when schedule allows and can include a rush fee.

Travel is quoted up front based on location and site access.

Sites requiring escorts, special scheduling, or extended on-foot access for control placement may include a mobilization or access fee.

Photogrammetry models what the camera can see. Dense vegetation can block the ground surface, which limits ground extraction for products like a DTM.

If vegetation is heavy, the DTM may be limited or may require an adjusted approach based on the project goal.

If conditions are not suitable for safe flying or good data quality, the flight is rescheduled.

If repeated attempts are required due to site availability or weather windows, a remobilization fee or refund credits (for example, missed flights due to weather) may apply.

I need the site address, a point of contact, access instructions, areas of focus, and any known restrictions.

For GCP-controlled work, I also need confirmation that GCP placement is allowed and that the site is safe and accessible for on-foot placement.

No. Blue Lid is not a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS).

This service is intended for mapping, volumetric estimation, progress monitoring, and project planning. It is not intended for legal descriptions, boundary determination, or certified as-builts.

Usage is confirmed in the quote. Real estate deliverables are typically intended for listing marketing. Commercial projects often involve broader ongoing marketing use.

If you have a specific internal or external use case, include it in the request so scope and expectations are clear.