Buyers typically pay a broad range for real estate drone photography, driven by flight time, coverage area, and post-production. The price often reflects image quality, video length, and whether certain add-ons are needed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Flight Fee | $150 | $250 | $450 | Includes basic edited stills and a short aerial video (up to 60–90 seconds). |
| Extra Coverage | $50 | $150 | $350 | For larger properties or multiple site angles. |
| Post-Production | $100 | $200 | $400 | Color grading, licensing, and delivery format. |
| Video Length | 15–30s | 60–90s | 2–3min | Longer tours cost more per minute. |
| Licensing & Usage | $0 | $50 | $150 | Residential or commercial rights differ; clarify usage. |
| Travel & Delivery | $0–$50 | $40–$100 | $150–$250 | Includes mileage and rush delivery options. |
Overview Of Costs
Cost for real estate drone photography typically ranges from about $250 to $800 per property for standard shoots, with higher-end packages reaching $1,200 or more for large estates or multi-location projects. Assumptions: single property, typical daylight conditions, standard licensing.
Cost Breakdown
Below is a tiered view of how the price can accumulate. Materials cover memory, SD cards, and any props; Labor reflects the pilot’s time, flight planning, and editing; Delivery includes final files and potential rush handling.
| Category | Typical Range | Notes | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $150–$400 | Flight time plus post-processing hours; longer shoots cost more. | 2 hours of work at $180/hour |
| Equipment | $0–$100 | Included in standard packages; extra batteries or lenses add cost. | Extra battery: $40 |
| Permits | $0–$75 | Local airspace or venue permits may apply. | Temporary permit: $60 |
| Delivery/Disposal | $0–$100 | Digital delivery, file format conversions, and backups. | Rush delivery: $25 |
| Warranty | $0–$50 | Limited coverage for reshoots due to weather or equipment failure. | Reshoot window: 1 revisit included |
| Taxes | Varies | Sales tax may apply by state. | Tax estimate: 6–9% |
Factors That Affect Price
Pricing Variables include property size, flight time, and post-production depth. For larger homes, multi-acre lots, or interior video tours, expect +$100 to +$500. Assumptions: single-structure property, daylight conditions, standard HOA or client permissions.
Regional Price Differences
Prices vary by market. In coastal or urban markets, drone shoots often run higher due to demand and flight restrictions. In suburban or rural areas, lower base rates are common. Urban pricing can be 10–25% higher than rural averages, while suburban areas typically fall in between.
Labor & Installation Time
Typical flight time is 20–45 minutes, with 60–120 minutes for planning, shooting, and basic editing. A mini formula tag shows the relation: data-formula=”labor_hours × hourly_rate”> to illustrate how editing time scales with price. Shuttle fees and on-site setup add-ons may apply in remote locations.
Ways To Save
To reduce costs, buyers can bundle services (aerials plus interior video), agree to a longer turnaround, or request faster but economy edits. A single package with both photos and a video often yields the best per-file value, especially when multiple property angles are captured.
Regional Price Differences
price snapshot across three U.S. regions shows how location matters. In the Northeast urban centers, base flight fees average $260–$360, with total packages commonly $550–$1,000. The Midwest suburban markets trend toward $220–$320 base, with complete packages around $420–$750. In the Mountain West rural areas, base flight fees can dip to $180–$260, with total ranges of $350–$600. Expect ±10–20% deltas by region.
Real-World Pricing Examples
Three scenario cards illustrate typical quotes for common real estate needs. Assumptions: single-property shoot, daylight, standard licensing, 1–2 business days delivery.
Basic: Starter Home (1,500–2,000 sq ft)
Specs: 1 drone, 15–20 minutes flight, 10–15 edited stills, 60s video. Labor: 1.2 hours. Materials: basic cards and delivery. data-formula=”labor_hours × hourly_rate”>
Total Range: $250–$420. Per-square-foot pricing: $0.15–$0.28/sq ft. Notes: standard lighting and basic color grade.
Mid-Range: Typical Suburban Home (2,000–3,000 sq ft)
Specs: 1 drone, 25–40 minutes flight, 25–40 edited stills, 90s video tour. Labor: 2–3 hours. Delivery: standard and rush options.
Total Range: $420–$860. Per-square-foot pricing: $0.14–$0.30/sq ft. Notes: color grading and basic aerial walkthrough.
Premium: Large Estate (3,500–6,000 sq ft)
Specs: multiple flight zones, 3–4 video cuts, 2–3 minute feature reel, interior optional voiceover. Labor: 4–6 hours. Delivery: premium formats and licensing.
Total Range: $900–$1,800. Per-square-foot pricing: $0.26–$0.32/sq ft. Notes: extended post-production and multi-angle coverage.
Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.