Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly Construction Progress Documentation

How long does an average aerial shoot take?

A typical aerial shoot takes between 30min-1.5hrs depending on the size of the property/site. If you are having interior photography shot as well, the shoot may last up to 2 hours. In order to assure prompt and timely service, we ask that the property is ready by the time the photographer / drone operator is scheduled to arrive.

What is included in the monthly documentation package?

Each monthly visit includes:

Professional ground photography
Short on-site progress video
Drone coverage (where permitted)
A branded monthly progress reel
Cloud delivery and organized archives

Deliverables are consistent every month so teams always know what they will receive.

How does scheduling work?

Once you start a retainer, scheduling is automatic.
We visit your site 1-2 times per month (or more for Tier 3 clients) without needing reminders from your team.

Project managers and supers do not need to coordinate anything beyond initial access details for aerial shoots.

Do you need someone from our team on-site?

No.
Most clients provide gate access or a point-of-contact number.
We handle the visit independently and do not interrupt field operations.

How quickly do we receive the photos and videos?

Final deliverables are delivered within 72 hours of each site visit.
Rush delivery is available upon request.

Can we add drone footage to any package?

Yes.
Drone coverage is included in most retainers and can be added to any tier as long as FAA regulations and local airspace rules permit flights at your location.

Do you work with both developers and general contractors?

Yes.
We document projects for:

Developers
Builders
GCs
Owner’s reps
Lenders
Asset managers

Our updates are structured for both field teams and stakeholders.

How long is the commitment?

You can choose:

Month-to-month retainer
6-month project retainer
12-month project retainer

Most clients select a project-based retainer that aligns with their construction timeline.

What if we have multiple projects?

We offer multi-site retainers with discounted pricing.
Each site receives its own monthly deliverables, archive, and update package.

What if a project is delayed or paused?

You can:

Pause the retainer
Reduce visit frequency
Roll visits to another active site

We stay aligned with real construction timelines.

Do you offer additional visits beyond the monthly retainer?

Yes.
Additional site visits can be added at $450–$650 per visit, depending on location and scope.

How do the progress reels work?

Each month, we create a short branded video highlighting key progress points.
Teams typically use them for:

Investor updates
Partner communication
Marketing
Internal reporting

They are formatted for web, mobile, and social sharing.

Can we use the aerial photos and videos for marketing?

Yes.
You receive broad usage rights for your internal teams, partners, stakeholders, social media, websites, and most marketing applications.

Do you cover interior work as well as exteriors?

Absolutely.
We document all relevant progress including:

Exterior elevations
Framing & structure
MEP rough-ins
Drywall & finishes
Site logistics
Equipment & material staging

Every month’s deliverable shows clear, measurable progress.

How do we get started?

Choose a retainer tier
Share project address and site contact
First visit is scheduled
Monthly documentation begins immediately

The setup process usually takes less than 24 hours.

All aerial shoots are captured by FAA certified pilots.

What is your turnaround time for aerial photos/video?

Turnaround time for Aerial Photos is within 24hrs of the shoot. Aerial Videos require a longer editing period and are typically delivered 2-3 days after the shoot. A NJ Drone Shoot has the quickest turn around time.

How much notice do you need before a shoot?

We would ideally like our clients to reach out for their drone shoot 2-4 days before the shoot date. We understand this industry can move quickly and have the resources to find a pilot the day before a shoot if needed.

How long does the average shoot take?

A typical aerial shoot takes between 20-45min depending on the size of the property. If you are having interior photography shot as well, the shoot can last up to 1 hour. In order to assure prompt and timely service, we ask that the property is ready by the time the photographer / drone operator is scheduled to arrive.

What is your cancellation policy?

We require a 24-hour notice before cancellation of the shoot. Any cancellations made within 24 hours will incur a fee equal to 50% of the total shoot.

Do you service anywhere in the Tri-State area?

Yes. We service all of the Tri-State area including New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvannia.

Some common locations we service include: Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, West New York, Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights, Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, Alpine, Paramus, Short Hills, Westfield, Watchung, Basking Ridge, Somerville, Princeton, Trenton, Woodbridge, Edison, New Brunswick, Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Asbury Park, Belmar & The Jersey Shore.

Is editing included in the photo and video packages?

Yes. Editing is included with the standard aerial photo and video packages, as well as standard interior photoshoots and drone tours. If you have special requests for longer form videos or multiple edits for social media, please contact us and we will provide you with a custom quote.

Can you fly a drone anywhere?

The short answer is no. There are certain areas that are in restricted airspace. However, we have many resources to request permission in these locations through the use of permits and waivers. Check out our drone maps guide to learn more about airspace in NJ/NYC/PA. You can also find out wether or not your property falls in restricted airspace by typing in the address on Air Maps.

How does a construction timelapse work?

We come to your site and install a camera. This camera can remain on site for as long as needed. Our timelapse cameras have a max duration of 8 weeks before they need to be serviced. If you are documenting a project over 8 weeks, we will need to come back every 8 weeks to exchange batteries.

How do you document a construction site?

There are two options we typically recommend when documenting your construction site, depending on how in-depth you’d like to get. For those who would like to see as much progress as possible, we recommend monthly photos and video. Our team would come out each month and document the site. For smaller sites, you may want to choose the milestone package. The milestone package is where we come out and photograph each milestone, such as excavation, foundation, framing, siding, completion.

Nj aerial shoot , drone video

If you have any additional questions that were not answered here, send us an email at info@skyviewmediaco.com