Publication: , May/June 2026

On most construction sites, risk often hides in blind spots 鈥� on rooftops, behind fa莽ades, and within small misalignments that lead to costly rework or litigation. Contractors are increasingly turning to drones, not as a marketing tool, but as a component of their risk management strategy to reshape how projects are documented, monitored, and protected. Aside from capturing images, drones can also generate defensible data, reduce exposure, and provide visibility that traditional methods cannot match.

For many firms, the shift is deliberate. 天美传媒 Construction鈥檚 drone program sits squarely within its risk management department.

鈥溙烀来解�檚 drone program lives in our risk management department because its primary function is to to support our people and construction operations to drive safer and higher quality outcomes,鈥� said Charles Wilson, vice president of risk management at 天美传媒, a member of multiple AGC chapters. 鈥淕iven the increased demand for drone flights for safety, quality, and production needs, it made financial sense to invest in our own drone program.鈥�

Data Collection

Drones generate measurable, timestamped, and verifiable data that can stand up in disputes, audits, and claims. Contractors using drones rely on 2D maps, 3D models, and geospatially accurate imagery to create precise project conditions. These datasets allow teams to quantify earthwork, verify installations, and compare progress against design without stepping foot in a hazardous area. Traditional inspections often require ladders, lifts, or scaffolding. Drones offer a safer alternative and allow teams to capture detailed data without putting people in harm鈥檚 way. In addition, drones give access to remote stakeholders who are not on-site every day but can sometimes hold up decision-making processes if they cannot see the reality on site.

鈥淭he amount of data collected in a short flight surpasses the amount that a person inspecting an installation can provide on their own,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淎nytime we can eliminate the need for a person to work at an elevated position is a win.鈥�

Beyond safety, contractors can also document site conditions daily, creating a record that can resolve disputes before they escalate. Matt Daly, CMO for , an AGC of California and TEXO member, has hundreds of stories from contractors who have saved money because of their drone programs.

鈥淕iving contractors one source of truth for what is happening on site is massively useful,鈥� said Daly. 鈥淥ne contractor avoided a $250,000 delay claim by using drone imagery to prove materials were on site when claimed, invalidating allegations. Another contractor had a $45,000 backcharge withdrawn because aerial overlays proved that a driveway slab matched the plan.鈥�

By providing high-frequency, sitewide visibility, drones enable remote owners, engineers, and inspectors to verify progress, assess conditions, and make faster decisions. This reduces information delays. In addition, consistent aerial data can help teams identify issues before they become costly problems.

FAA Regulations and Airspace

Construction drone operations are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and compliance is a critical component of risk management. At a minimum, commercial drone operators must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate by passing an FAA knowledge exam and staying current with ongoing training.

Airspace considerations can also add some complexity. Projects located near airports or in controlled airspace require
advance authorization through systems like LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability). However, many drone platforms include built-in airspace awareness tools that alert operators to restrictions and facilitate authorization requests.

The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, especially with the FAA鈥檚 proposed Part 108 rule on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The proposed framework, outlined in a 2025 Federal Register notice, aims to normalize routine BVLOS flights by establishing requirements for detect-and-avoid systems, airspace coordination, and operational oversight. For construction, BVLOS restrictions are one of the biggest barriers to drone operations, so easing limitations could allow drones to cover larger sites more efficiently and enable automated, scheduled data capture.

鈥淭he FAA鈥檚 proposed Part 108 rule is a big deal because it would move drone flights beyond one-off approvals and into a clear, nationwide set of rules that allows companies to fly drones BVLOS on a regular basis,鈥� said Logan Decker, 天美传媒鈥檚 drone operator. 鈥淚nstead of needing special waivers each time, operators would have a consistent path to run larger, more efficient drone programs that can cover much bigger geographic areas per flight. This shift would reduce time and labor costs and unlock high-value use cases.鈥�

Insurance: Coverage, Requirements, and Opportunities

While drone insurance is not mandated by the FAA, it is not optional in practice. Many project owners require contractors to carry specific liability coverage for drone operations, often through preauthorization requirements. Coverage structures can vary with some policies tied to individual operators and others that cover broader organizational use.

On the upside, drones can offer a path to reduced insurance costs over time. By improving documentation, reducing accidents, and enabling early issue detection, drones can lower the frequency and severity of claims.

Data Ownership and Security

As drones generate more sophisticated data, questions around ownership and control are becoming more prominent. In most cases, data ownership is defined by contract. Owners may require access to all documentation, while contractors may retain rights to use the data for internal purposes. Third-party providers may use anonymous data to improve their services, but they typically do not claim ownership or share project data externally without permission.

Security is equally critical. With sensitive project information at stake, providers are investing in certifications, access controls, and data governance protocols to ensure that only authorized users can access information.

Policy, Procurement, and Geopolitical Risk

Beyond project-level considerations, broader policy shifts also shape the drone landscape. Federal scrutiny of foreign-made drones, for example, has introduced new considerations around procurement and cybersecurity. In December, President Trump banned the sale of new foreign-manufactured drones amid growing concerns surrounding data security and supply chain integrity. However, the FCC recently exempted some of those models. For contractors, it is important to stay up to date with changing policies to ensure they maintain compliance since these policies can influence equipment selection and vendor relationships.

Less Adoption Challenges

Some contractors remain hesitant to adopt drone technology because of perceived complexity, regulatory hurdles, and safety risks. However, many of these barriers are diminishing. Contractors can choose to build in-house drone programs or use third-party providers who handle compliance, data capture, and processing. Training resources are widely available, and the technology itself has become more reliable and user-friendly.

鈥淭he biggest challenge with launching a drone program is getting employees to adjust to conducting safety inspections and other protocols in a new way,鈥� said Decker. 鈥淔orming new habits takes time. Once our team experienced the advantages of the drone program, flight requests dramatically increased.鈥�

Automation and AI

Looking ahead, the next phase of drone-enabled risk management is already taking shape.

Automated 鈥渄rone-in-a-box鈥� systems can capture data on a schedule without human intervention, ensuring consistent documentation throughout the project. At the same time, artificial intelligence is transforming how that data is analyzed. AI-powered tools can now identify safety hazards, track progress, and compare conditions against schedules and design models in real time.

鈥淲e鈥檝e only just begun integrating drones鈥� asset capture with AI鈥檚 safety monitoring,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淚t is possible someday AI will use drone imagery to predict and prevent accidents from occurring.鈥�

A New Standard of Care

As regulatory frameworks evolve, technologies mature, and usage expands, drones are becoming more than a competitive advantage 鈥� they are becoming a standard of care.

Having eyes in the sky may be one of the most effective ways to keep risk under control.

鈥淐onstruction firms that haven鈥檛 adopted drones should explore the technology. The potential is significant: safer jobsites, stronger quality control, more accurate estimating, and smoother operations that can drive savings and set them apart competitively,鈥� said Wilson.

Publication: , April 7, 2026

天美传媒 Construction earned recognition on . The list ranks the nation’s largest general contractors, CM at-risk firms, and design-builders for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work based on 2024 revenue.

No. 108 Top ContractorEmpty heading

天美传媒 Construction achieved the for its construction management, design/build, general contracting, and self-perform services delivered across the distribution, warehouse, federal and military, healthcare, education, industrial and manufacturing, commercial, hospitality, retail, and utility and infrastructure markets.

No. 17 Military Facility Construction Firm

天美传媒 Construction achieved its highest 2025 BD+C ranking in the as the 17th largest company in this market.

No. 18 Shopping Mall, Big Box Store, and Strip Center Construction Firm

天美传媒 Construction ranked 18th on BD+C’s list of the .

No. 29 Top Retail Construction Firm

Business from longtime customer Walmart, Planet Fitness, and Food Lion secured 天美传媒 Construction a rank of 29 on . In 2024, 天美传媒 earned $78 million in the retail market in 2024 to achieve this honor.

No. 33 Medical Office Building Construction FirmEmpty heading

天美传媒 Construction improved its ranking from No. 59 to the .

No. 35 Construction Management Firm

Serving as Construction Manager enables 天美传媒 to advise during the vital preconstruction phase. By identifying budget concerns, mapping out dependencies, and recommending optimal construction materials, 天美传媒 Construction better prepares the project for success.

No. 38 Justice Facility Construction FirmEmpty heading

天美传媒 Construction improved by one spot to claim the 38th spot on .

No. 40 Industrial Sector Construction Firm

Poetter Construction earned the 40th spot on . Industry-leading clients like Continental Tire and Volpi Foods contributed to 天美传媒’s impressive 2024 industrial facility revenue of $155 million, enabling the company to climb a spot compared to the media outlet’s previous list.

No. 53 K-12 School Construction Firm

With an incredible $65 million in 2024 revenue for this category, 天美传媒 Construction earned the 53rd spot on . Some active projects include Cahokia High School, Columbia High School addition and renovation, and the Parkway School District bond program.

No. 58 Government Building Construction Firm

BD+C ranked 天美传媒 Construction as the in the nation. With federal projects like the 170,000 SF Scott Air Force Base Joint Operations & Mission Planning Center and child development centers at both Scott Air Force Base and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 天美传媒 Construction earned $54 million in the federal sector to win this recognition.

No. 73 Design-Build Construction Firm

天美传媒 Construction climbed 27 spots to claim the 73rd ranking on . Design-Build projects like the Innovation Logistics Center in Salisbury, NC, the Scott Air Force Base Child Development Center, and the SIUE Health Sciences Complex contributed to this achievement.

No. 75 Office Core and Shell Construction FirmEmpty heading

天美传媒 Construction climbed from the 99th spot to the 75th on .

No. 78 Reconstruction Sector Construction Firm

天美传媒 Construction improved its ranking 6 spots to claim No. 78 on . Projects like the Parkway School District 2022 Bond Program capturing multiple schools, renovations for Planet Fitness, and Alton Mental Health Center’s Willow building renovation contributed to this 2025 accomplishment. 

No. 85 University Building Construction FirmEmpty heading

天美传媒 Construction claimed the 85th spot on . Higher education market highlights from this year include Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Health Science Building and Kaskaskia College’s new gymnasium.

No. 94 Healthcare Facility Construction Firm

天美传媒 Construction climbed 25 spots to achieve the 94th spot on ! Projects like the Memorial Hospital Medical Office Building and Alton Mental Health Center contributed to 天美传媒’s 2024 healthcare construction earnings of $14 million.

No. 99 Office Building Construction Firm

Notable projects such as TDK’s new office and shop earned 天美传媒 Construction the recognition of the 99th spot on .

Other lists specific to market sectors and service type will be released by BD+C over the next few months. Check back to learn about 天美传媒 Construction’s other achievements!