Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our drone inspection and aerial photography services.
How much do drone services cost?
Our residential real estate packages start at $225 for Listing Lite (10 aerial photos). Listing Pro is $450 and includes 25 photos plus a 60-second video. Luxury Listing is $750 for the full premium package. Commercial services range from $450/visit for construction progress to $1,200 for comprehensive inspection data with thermal imaging.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We recommend booking 48-72 hours in advance for residential shoots. Commercial and inspection projects typically require 3-5 business days lead time for flight planning and airspace coordination. Rush scheduling is available — call us for same-day or next-day availability.
What happens if the weather is bad on shoot day?
Safety is our top priority. If weather conditions are unsafe for flight — high winds, rain, low visibility, or thunderstorms — we'll reschedule at no additional cost. We monitor weather closely and will notify you as early as possible if a reschedule is needed.
Are you FAA certified?
Yes. Our lead pilot holds a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which is the federal certification required for all commercial drone operations in the United States. We also carry $1M in commercial liability insurance and obtain LAANC airspace authorization for every flight.
How long does a typical drone shoot take?
A standard residential real estate shoot takes 30-45 minutes on-site. Commercial and inspection flights vary by scope — a basic construction progress visit is about 1 hour, while a comprehensive inspection with thermal imaging may take 2-3 hours.
When will I receive my photos and video?
Listing Lite and Listing Pro photos are delivered next business day. Luxury Listing includes 24-hour priority delivery. Construction progress reports are delivered next business day. Full inspection data packages are delivered within 24 hours. Rush same-day delivery is available for an additional fee.
What areas do you serve?
We serve the entire Hampton Roads region of Virginia, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Williamsburg. We also cover the Outer Banks and Richmond for larger projects. Travel fees may apply for locations beyond 30 miles from our base.
Do I need to be present during the drone flight?
For real estate shoots, we do not require anyone to be present as long as we have access to the property and clear airspace. For commercial inspections, we recommend having a site contact available for safety coordination and to answer questions about the property.
Can you fly near airports or in restricted airspace?
Yes, with proper authorization. We use the FAA's LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) system to obtain real-time airspace approval. Hampton Roads has several military and civilian airfields — we handle all authorization requirements so you don't have to.
What equipment do you use?
We operate enterprise-grade DJI platforms: the Matrice 4E for visual inspections and photogrammetry (56x zoom, RTK positioning), the Matrice 4T for thermal and infrared imaging, and the Mini 4 Pro for real estate photography in tight spaces. All aircraft are maintained and calibrated to manufacturer standards.
Do you offer recurring service plans?
Yes. For construction progress monitoring, we offer weekly, biweekly, and monthly visit schedules at discounted per-visit rates. For property inspections, we offer quarterly and annual re-inspection packages with comparative analysis to track changes over time. Contact us for custom scheduling.
Still Have Questions?
We're happy to answer any questions about our services. Reach out and we'll get back to you within one business day.