Facing a surveyor shortage and rising costs, Midwest firms are stuck waiting weeks and paying premium rates for site data—while competitors using documented drone workflows deliver survey-grade results in hours, slash costs, and win infrastructure contracts. This guide breaks down the real numbers, the tech that leapfrogs bottlenecks, and how early adopters gain a serious edge in the IIJA era.

Curious about which drone mapping software truly delivers? We tested the industry’s major platforms and share what worked for our team, why we made our choices, and key lessons learned. If you’re always on the lookout for better processing tools or want to compare your own workflow, this article breaks down our honest insights for GIS and survey pros.