BUYER'S GUIDE, COSTS AND SCOPE

How much do drone services cost? Build a realistic starting budget

A useful estimate starts with the closest defined scope, then adds reporting, the selected delivery option and return travel for every visit. The calculator gives a transparent starting point before the location and operation are reviewed.

7 min readPrepared by:
Demonstration aerial image accompanying the drone service starting-budget guide

Aeronautiq's calculator applies fixed rules to the listed scopes. It adds the base service, optional reporting, any express surcharge and return travel. The result is a non-binding starting budget. Aeronautiq confirms the final quotation, flight feasibility and operating conditions after reviewing the project.

1. Select the closest listed service scope

Choose the calculator item that most closely matches the intended result: photographs, video, construction documentation, a visual or thermal inspection, PV screening or a Matrice 4T technical day. Each item has its own base amount, platform and number of visits.

The displayed base amount covers the named calculator scope only. A different object, larger installation, additional output or materially different operation should be described in the project brief and reviewed individually.

2. Read the budget as four transparent components

The calculator total consists of the base service, the selected reporting option, any express surcharge and travel. Standard delivery has no express surcharge. Express delivery adds 25% to the combined service and reporting amount.

Base prices are in EUR, excluding VAT. Any PLN equivalent is indicative. The calculation helps compare a plausible scope and prepare an enquiry. Order acceptance and the final price are confirmed after an individual review.

3. Calculate travel for the full return route and every visit

Enter the full-kilometre road distance from Szczecin, Poland, to the site in one direction. Travel is calculated as: one-way distance × 2 × number of visits × 0.70 EUR/km. The factor of two covers the outward and return routes.

Most listed scopes contain one visit. Construction monitoring twice monthly contains two visits, so the same return-route calculation is applied twice. The number of visits therefore changes the billable kilometres even when the one-way distance is unchanged.

4. Add the reporting and delivery option you need

RGB, thermal and PV inspection packages include a basic PDF report at no extra charge. An extended report is a paid upgrade. Other packages offer optional reporting. Select the level that matches how the result will be reviewed. Reporting does not change the number of visits in the current calculator.

The express option adds 25% to the service-and-reporting subtotal, while travel remains unchanged. Availability and the actual delivery date are confirmed after the project is reviewed.

5. Send the parameters for a project-specific review

Attach the calculator result to the enquiry and add the location, asset, objective, required output, preferred window and any access restrictions. Aeronautiq recalculates the selected parameters and then reviews airspace, local rules, weather, safety and logistics.

The road-travel calculation starts in Szczecin. Projects requiring flights, ferries, accommodation, road tolls, visas or a local partner receive a separate logistics quote. Local fees, additional permits, certified expert work, any non-standard scope and the final price also require separate confirmation.

STARTING BUDGET

How the starting budget is calculated

The amounts and rules below match the calculator. Select a service scope and enter the one-way distance to calculate an indicative starting budget.

Base service scopes

20 property / land photographsDJI Air 3S, 1 visit
250 EUR
4K promotional film up to 1 minDJI Air 3S, 1 visit
500 EUR
Photography + 4K film up to 1 minDJI Air 3S, 1 visit
650 EUR
Solar inspection up to 100 kWpDJI Matrice 4T, 1 visit
450 EUR
Solar inspection above 100 and up to 600 kWpDJI Matrice 4T, 1 visit
850 EUR
Matrice 4T technical day, up to 8 h on siteDJI Matrice 4T, 1 visit
1,100 EUR
One-off construction documentationDJI Air 3S, 1 visit
350 EUR
Construction monitoring twice monthlyDJI Air 3S, 2 visits
650 EUR
Drone cleaning for PV & windThe asset, method, required output and operating conditions are reviewed before pricing.
Individual quotation
2D/3D modelling & RTK flightsThe asset, method, required output and operating conditions are reviewed before pricing.
Individual quotation

Base prices are in EUR. Loading the NBP rate only for an indicative PLN conversion.

FAQ

Questions about the starting budget

01Is the calculator result a binding quotation?+

No. It is a non-binding starting point based on the selected scope and entered distance. Aeronautiq confirms the final scope, feasibility and price after reviewing the project.

02How is travel calculated?+

One-way distance is multiplied by two for the return route, then by the number of visits and by 0.70 EUR per billable kilometre.

03Why does twice-monthly construction monitoring have more travel kilometres?+

That calculator item contains two visits. A return journey is counted for each visit, so the entered one-way distance is multiplied by two return-route factors.

04What does the express option change?+

It adds 25% to the combined base-service and reporting amount. It does not change travel cost, and availability is still confirmed after review.

Guides

Related planning guides

View all guides↗

SZCZECIN BASE, POLAND AND SELECTED EUROPEAN MARKETS

Turn the starting budget into a project brief

Calculate the closest scope, attach the estimate and send the location, objective and requested output. Aeronautiq will review feasibility and confirm an individual scope and price.

What happens after you send the brief

  1. We check whether the information is complete and the work is feasible
  2. We ask only for details that are still missing
  3. You receive a proposed scope and individual quote

Prefer to speak before sending the brief?

Operational base: Szczecin, Poland. Projects in Poland, Germany, Spain and selected European countries are confirmed after reviewing site access, local regulations, airspace, permits, safety, weather and logistics.

QUICK QUOTATION

Get a quick project quotation

Share the location, what you need and your contact details. We can clarify everything else later.

Ready to send0/5
Add timing, phone, files or project details optional

Additional details for an individual quote

The additional scope described below is not included in the calculator's base package amount. Feasibility and costs require individual confirmation.

Location, files and preferred next step

Add a map link or coordinates, choose the preferred next step and attach material that helps us assess the project.

You will receive a case reference immediately.

Your data is used only to handle this enquiry. Do not enter sensitive information.