Construction site monitoring means keeping a reliable, time-stamped record of what happens on and around a site: to report progress, check incidents, prove compliance or protect nearby structures. Most projects use two or more of the methods below, and this guide explains what each one records and when you need it.
The short answer
| Method | What it records | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Time-lapse cameras | A time-stamped still every few minutes, for the whole build | Progress reports, the project record, and films for marketing and handover |
| Recorded video | Continuous HD or 4K video, saved as 10-minute clips | Incidents, near-misses, disputes, claims and site logistics |
| Live streaming | A live or slightly delayed stream of the site | Investors, stakeholders and landmark projects |
| Structural monitoring | Movement and deformation of buildings and structures, with alerts | Excavation, piling, demolition and works next to sensitive assets |
| Environmental monitoring | Noise, dust, vibration and air quality against set limits | Section 61 consents and sites near homes, schools and hospitals |
| Rail and highway monitoring | Track, carriageway, bridge and ground movement against trigger levels | Works on or next to live railways and roads |
Visual monitoring: cameras
Time-lapse cameras
A fixed camera takes a photo every few minutes for the whole project. Every image is time-stamped and stored online, so the team can check any area of the site on any date without a site visit, and the images are edited into monthly clips and a final film. Site Eye cameras are 6K as standard, producing 4K time-lapse footage, with built-in 4G and mains or solar power, so they work on sites with no network or power supply. See our time-lapse cameras.
Recorded video
Stills every few minutes can miss what happened in between. Video cameras record the site continuously, so you can go straight to the clip you need. With SiteStream, footage is saved in HD or 4K as 10-minute clips you can search by date and time and download, kept for one month or for the whole project. Sites use it to investigate incidents and near-misses, resolve disputes with contractors, suppliers or neighbours, check injury or damage claims, and spot delivery and logistics bottlenecks.
Live streaming
A live stream lets people watch the site from anywhere. SiteStream Live streams in full HD to unlimited viewers, either live or on a delay (for example 30 minutes, so the stream can be stopped if there is an incident). At Emerald Headingley Stadium, Caddick streamed the new stands going up on its website.
Recorded and live video need a very good internet connection: a wired link or the site’s existing service. Where that is not possible, a recorder on site stores the footage instead, for up to two or six months depending on the system.
Is this the same as security CCTV?
No. Security CCTV is usually linked to alarms and a monitoring centre that responds to intruders. Progress cameras and recorded video create a record of the work. That record can still help: at Wembley Park, the daily images helped Quintain review site security and vehicle movements on each plot. For a full comparison, read which site camera do you need?
Measured monitoring: sensors and surveys
Cameras show what happened. Sensors measure it. Site Eye is part of Survey Solutions, the UK’s largest engineering surveying group, which provides measured monitoring alongside our cameras.
- Structural monitoring. Measures movement and deformation of buildings, bridges, retaining walls, tunnels and temporary works, accurate to sub-millimetre movement, with real-time alerts by text or email. Usually needed for excavation, basements, piling, demolition and works next to existing or historic structures.
- Environmental monitoring. Measures noise, dust, vibration and air quality against agreed limits, to support Section 61 consents and sites near homes, hospitals, schools and protected habitats.
- Rail monitoring. Monitors track alignment, gauge, cant and twist, voiding and settlement, and nearby structures before, during and after works, against pre-agreed trigger levels.
- Highway monitoring. Tracks movement in roads, carriageways, bridges, retaining walls, culverts and embankments, for works next to live traffic, excavation and piling.
Why cameras and sensors work best together
A sensor alert tells you a limit was reached. The camera record shows what was happening at that moment: which works were running, what controls were in place and how conditions changed. Together they give you the evidence to act quickly, report to the client or local authority, and answer questions months later.
Choosing what your site needs
- What will the record be used for? Progress reporting and marketing point to time-lapse. Incidents, claims and logistics point to recorded video. Movement or noise limits point to sensors.
- Who needs to see it? Site and project teams, clients, investors, the local authority or the public.
- How long is the project? Monitoring can run for a few days for a single operation or for several years.
- What is next to the site? Railways, roads, historic buildings, homes and schools often bring monitoring conditions with them.
- Power and connection. Time-lapse cameras run on 4G with mains or solar power. Video needs a good connection or a recorder on site.
Construction site monitoring questions
What is construction site monitoring?
Keeping a time-stamped record of activity on and around a site, using cameras, video and sensors, so teams can report progress, check incidents, show compliance and protect nearby structures.
Do I need live video, or is time-lapse enough?
For progress records and films, time-lapse is usually enough. If you need to see exactly what happened at a particular moment, for incidents, claims or logistics, add recorded video. Live streaming suits investors, stakeholders and public interest.
What is Section 61 monitoring?
A Section 61 consent, agreed with the local authority under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, sets out how construction noise and related impacts will be controlled. Monitoring noise, dust and vibration shows the limits are being met, so action can be taken quickly if one is breached.
Can monitoring work without mains power or a site network?
Yes. Time-lapse cameras have built-in 4G and can run on solar power. Recorded and live video need a good internet connection, or a recorder on site where there is none.
Who can see the footage?
Only authorised users, through a secure online portal on desktop, iOS and Android.
Can one company provide cameras and sensor monitoring?
Yes. Site Eye provides the cameras, and Survey Solutions, the group Site Eye belongs to, provides structural, environmental, rail and highway monitoring.
Planning monitoring for a project?
Tell us about your site, what is next to it and what you need to record. We will recommend the right mix of cameras, video and monitoring, then confirm it at a free site survey.
Related: SiteStream construction site monitoring cameras · time-lapse cameras · which site camera do you need?
