Why Cities Lose Millions Before Construction Even Starts
- THE FLYING LIZARD
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
And how smarter aerial mapping can save budgets, bids, and taxpayer trust.
When cities put out bids for new roads, utility installations, parks, or public infrastructure, the process is supposed to be straightforward: contractors get the bid specs, submit their proposals, and the city selects the best one. But there’s a hidden flaw in this system that drains millions from public budgets before the first shovel ever hits the dirt.
That flaw? Outdated or inaccurate maps.
The Problem Nobody Talks About
Most city project managers work with topo maps, GIS data, or satellite imagery that may be months—or years—old. When contractors base their estimates on these incomplete resources, bids are skewed from the start.
Earthwork volumes are miscalculated.
Drainage and flood planning are underestimated.
Utility tie-in points are misplaced.
Construction schedules stretch because the reality on the ground doesn’t match the data on paper. The result? Change orders, delays, and ballooning costs—all of which erode public trust.
Leveling the Playing Field with Pre-Bid Drone Mapping
Here’s the good news: the technology to fix this already exists, and it’s faster and more affordable than most city managers realize.
Drone-based aerial mapping delivers:
High-resolution orthomosaics for a true-to-life site view.
3D surface models & volumetrics for accurate earthwork calculations.
Up-to-date condition assessments for everything from vegetation to drainage paths.
Standardized deliverables that every contractor can build their estimates on.
Instead of each contractor guessing from outdated maps, the city can commission one pre-bid aerial survey and provide the same data set to everyone.
That means:
Bids come in more accurate.
Contractors compete on execution, not guesswork.
Taxpayer money is protected.
Project managers become the heroes who run tighter, smarter, more modern bid processes.
Why This Matters Now
Cities across Colorado are seeing unprecedented infrastructure activity—solar farms, road expansions, broadband utility builds, flood mitigation, and public park improvements. As project volume increases, so does the risk of wasted dollars if bids aren’t based on solid ground truth.
Drone mapping is the fastest way to put every bidder on equal footing and ensure projects start with the accuracy they deserve.
The Flying Lizard Advantage
At THE FLYING LIZARD, we specialize in high-accuracy pre-bid drone mapping tailored for city projects. Our data doesn’t just look sharp—it empowers contractors to bid with confidence and cities to manage projects with transparency.
Because in the end, construction success doesn’t start with concrete. It starts with clarity.
THE FLYING LIZARD
Where People and Data Take Flight
The world isn’t flat—and neither should your maps be.™
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