Drone usage at construction sites is growing, as 36.1% of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) members reported that they fly drones.

The finding was published in a survey, Drone Usage report, that ABC conducted of its contractor members in May 2026. 

Other report findings include:

Drones are most often used for site progress monitoring (80.8%), marketing and media (77.5%) and inspections and mapping (50%).

Investment levels in drones vary widely, but 62% report investing between $1,000 and $10,000.

The biggest challenges in adopting drone technology include regulatory and compliance issues (53.5%), training and staffing (43.4%) and limited use cases (37.4%).

Nearly 75% of contractors surveyed are commercial contractors.

“In the ever-evolving construction technology landscape, drones are transforming how contractors monitor site progress, enhance branding efforts and conduct inspections with unprecedented efficiency,” said Matt Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation, in a statement.

“This ABC report details how ABC contractor members are embracing this innovation, yet regulatory hurdles and training challenges still limit broader adoption,” said Abeles. “ABC urges contractors to continue exploring the full potential of drone technology on their jobsites and calls on lawmakers to streamline compliance so employers can leverage these tools to build safer, healthier and more efficient jobsites.”