Is anyone mapping and/or processing data for landfills? I’m thinking about pitching a landfill and want to know if anyone had any insight or experience.
We don’t have a formal contract, but I have done several flights for our two of our county landfills. Unfortunately I think I educated one of them too much and think they’re going to buy their own drone, LOL… Maybe I can get some consulting fees.
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You might check out these documents from our FAQ page and blog.
Drone-based Volume Measurement
New Elevation And Volume Tools For Mining and Construction
Drone Maps Enable Instant, Accurate Volume Analysis
Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions.
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I do landfills and other solid waste facilities pretty much exclusively. What are you pitching them, exactly?
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Monthly maps for logistics which I help the mark up for staging. They just don’t don’t have anyone that knows how to use Bluebeam or other editing software and I don’t dedicate a license to them so not in DroneDeploy.
Progress topo to track quantites of materials moved quarterly. Progress topos are also used against a master plan to track amount of area remaining.
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Well that’s the thing actually. I’m working on a pitch and wanted to gather as much knowledge before hand. The landfill is actually expanding as well so that opens another window of opportunity. What do the landfills you are working with find valuable about the work you are doing for them?
I think it’s because their scope and scale is so massive that they have never seen the “big picture” before. It immediately opened their eyes to quite a few things that were different than they thought we’re going on. In the same sense it’s pretty expensive to survey it on the ground. I can actually fly several days in a row and give them daily quantities, whereas you can’t even survey the whole thing in one day with any accuracy traditionally.
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This is a very interesting topic - does anyone have any sample proposals or reports that they provided to their landfill customers?
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Proposals are entirely dependent on the situation. I have done many but cannot share the exact language. They are usually in this order.
X Company will deploy X drone(s) to the project site. X Company will fly the site and obtain an Orthomosaic Image/ Set of Construction Photos / Video Inspection / or whatever. X Company will deploy within two weeks of the date of approval. Client will provide access and will notify x company of the availability of any office to review files or charge batteries. X Company will deliver a hard copy map showing (cells/property,etc) with the image. (I always have those because I’m their consultant but you may not and they may not want to share them).
I always say I’ll deliver a full scale (24x36) paper copy but if they want a photo paper one or multiple prints those are extra. I also deliver electronically, if requested but I end up always sending the DroneDeploy link at least.
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You need to nail down a rate structure that you are comfortable with. I would suggest getting with drone peers and discussing what you want your rate structure to look like in the area so that you can all make good money without trying to lowball. Once you have that structure you can break it up however you like. A lump sum of all services or separated out into some of the categories that @dwindham and I have provided. As I operate an in-house drone Services Department I cannot share our proposals.
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@dwindham Thanks for reaching out! I would take a look at our supported articles and blog posts for more information. Each user’s business model is going to be different but thats the fun part 
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