Published Aug. 27, 2026
Drones have become a practical tool on construction sites across the United States, but a new industry survey shows that contractors are relying overwhelmingly on Chinese-made equipment.
According to a May 2026 survey by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), 36.1% of contractor members surveyed said their companies use drones. Among those companies, 97.1% identified China-based DJI as the manufacturer of their primary drone. Autel Robotics, another Chinese manufacturer, accounted for the remaining 2.9%. (ABC)
The findings come as the U.S. government increases scrutiny of foreign-made drones and introduces new tariffs that could affect some equipment entering the country.
Drones are becoming part of everyday construction work
The ABC survey suggests that drones are no longer limited to specialized construction projects. Contractors are using them for several routine tasks, particularly documenting and monitoring work from the air.
Site progress monitoring was the most common use, reported by 80.8% of drone-using contractors. Marketing and media work followed at 77.5%, while 50% reported using drones for inspections and 37.5% for aerial mapping. (ABC)
For many contractors, the appeal is straightforward. A drone can capture aerial images of a project quickly without requiring workers to physically access every part of a site. That can make progress documentation, inspections and project communication easier.
The technology also has not required major upfront spending for most users. ABC found that 62% of respondents who use drones reported investing between $1,000 and $10,000 in drone hardware and related equipment. (ABC)
Tariffs add another concern for contractors
The heavy dependence on Chinese manufacturers could become more important as trade restrictions change the cost and availability of drone equipment.
The Trump administration announced a 100% tariff on certain imported drones and unmanned aircraft system components. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect Sept. 3 and include drones weighing more than 25 kilograms, or about 55 pounds, as well as drones equipped with thermal imaging capabilities and certain related systems and components. (Construction Dive)
The impact will vary depending on the type of equipment a contractor uses. Not every construction drone will fall into the categories covered by the new tariff. However, the policy adds another layer of uncertainty for companies planning drone purchases or expanding their programs.s
The issue is particularly significant because contractors have few obvious alternatives at the same scale of adoption. ABC’s survey found that DJI accounted for nearly all primary drones among the contractors who reported using the technology. (ABC)
Regulation and training remain challenges
Cost is not the only obstacle facing contractors interested in expanding their drone operations.
ABC found that regulatory and compliance requirements were the most frequently reported challenge, cited by 53.5% of respondents. Training and staffing followed at 43.4%, while 37.4% cited a lack of suitable use cases. (ABC)
That means adopting drones involves more than purchasing the aircraft. Construction companies also need qualified personnel, appropriate training, regulatory compliance and processes for incorporating aerial information into their existing project workflows.
ABC Vice President of Construction Technology and Innovation Matt Abeles said contractors should begin by identifying practical applications for drones before purchasing equipment.
The survey indicates there is still considerable room for growth. Nearly two-thirds of ABC respondents said they do not currently use drones, suggesting that adoption could increase as contractors become more familiar with the technology and its potential applications.
For construction companies already using drones, however, the concentration of the market around Chinese manufacturers creates a new procurement consideration. Changes in tariffs, regulations or equipment availability could affect future purchases and make it more important for contractors to evaluate alternative platforms and plan for changes in their technology programs.
As drones become more closely integrated into inspections, progress tracking and project documentation, the question for contractors may no longer be whether the technology is useful, but how to maintain reliable access to it as the regulatory and trade environment changes.
