A construction time-lapse used to mean a camera bolted to a neighbouring building. The aerial version does more: the same site, captured from the same flight positions at regular intervals across the build, cut into a progress video — and, if you want it, backed by mapping data that makes the record measurable rather than just watchable.

What an aerial time-lapse actually is

We fly the site on a repeating schedule — weekly, fortnightly or at milestones — using pre-programmed flight paths so every visit captures identical angles and altitudes. Consistency is the whole game: when frame 1 and frame 30 line up perfectly, the progression reads clearly and the final cut looks deliberate instead of stitched together.

What it’s used for

  • Marketing and stakeholder updates — the obvious one. A 60-second progression clip outperforms a written report for boards, buyers and funders.
  • Progress claims — dated aerial records aligned with claim periods reduce argument about what was complete when.
  • Dispute protection — a consistent visual record of site state, access conditions and neighbouring properties across the build.
  • Handover and asset records — the finished set documents the project from ground-break to completion.

Video alone, or video plus data

Because our core business is aerial data capture, each time-lapse visit can double as a mapping flight: the same session that feeds the video can produce an orthomosaic and elevation model of the site as at that date. Builders use the video for communication and the mapping layer for measurement — stockpiles, laydown areas, works progress against program. One flight schedule, two products.

What it costs

Pricing is per-visit plus an edit fee, and depends on site size, airspace and visit frequency — as a guide, regular-visit programs on metro Melbourne sites typically land in the $400–$700 per visit range with editing quoted on the final deliverable. A twelve-month build documented fortnightly costs less than most firms spend on a single mid-project marketing video, and you end up with both.

If you have a project starting — or one mid-build that should have started this record months ago (starting now still beats not starting) — get in touch for a per-visit quote.