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 read
Demonstration aerial image accompanying the drone service starting-budget guide
Demonstration visual

Aeronautiq's calculator uses fixed rules for its listed scopes. It adds the base service, optional reporting, any express surcharge and return travel. The result is a non-binding starting budget, not a final quotation, flight confirmation or promise that the requested operation is feasible.

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 is the base service plus the selected reporting option, plus the express surcharge when selected, plus travel. Standard delivery has no express surcharge. Express delivery adds 25% to the combined service and reporting amount.

All listed amounts are in PLN. The calculation should be used to compare a plausible scope and prepare an enquiry, not as acceptance of an order or a guaranteed final price.

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 × PLN 3/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 only the reporting and delivery option you need

The calculator provides no additional report, a basic PDF report or an extended report. 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 changes the budget by 25% of the service-and-reporting subtotal. It does not change the travel cost. Availability and the actual delivery date are confirmed only 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

Current starting-budget components

These amounts and rules come directly from the calculator. Select a scope and enter the one-way distance to calculate your own starting point.

Base service scopes

20 property / land photographsDJI Air 3S · 1 visit
550 PLN
4K promotional film up to 1 minDJI Air 3S · 1 visit
1200 PLN
Photography + 4K film up to 1 minDJI Air 3S · 1 visit
1650 PLN
One-off construction documentationDJI Air 3S · 1 visit
700 PLN
Construction monitoring twice monthlyDJI Air 3S · 2 visits
1200 PLN
RGB visual inspection up to 30 minDJI Matrice 4T · 1 visit
800 PLN
Thermal survey of a small building / roofDJI Matrice 4T · 1 visit
1200 PLN
Solar inspection up to 100 kWpDJI Matrice 4T · 1 visit
900 PLN
Solar inspection up to 600 kWpDJI Matrice 4T · 1 visit
2500 PLN
Matrice 4T technical dayDJI Matrice 4T · 1 visit
3200 PLN

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 PLN 3 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

Guides

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SZCZECIN BASE · WORLDWIDE PROJECTS

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.

Operational base: Szczecin, Poland. We support projects worldwide; execution is confirmed after reviewing local regulations, airspace, permits, safety and logistics.

PROJECT BRIEF

Prepare a project brief

Six short fields are enough to start a feasibility review.

The form saves the enquiry in the Aeronautiq project database. Email and WhatsApp remain optional contact channels. Do not enter sensitive data.