Quick answer
There's no fixed price for drone photography, because it depends on the type of job, shooting time, location, editing, and turnaround. More important than the price is whether the team is properly registered, whether they're insured, and whether the scope of work and number of revision rounds are clearly stated in the quote.
The question clients ask most often before hiring aerial photo or video services is “How much does it cost?” The honest answer is that it depends on several factors, and a team that quotes a single price on the spot without asking about your job is usually a warning sign rather than a plus. This article explains what makes prices differ and what to ask before choosing a team.
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What makes drone photography prices differ?
The price of a drone job is made up of several costs that vary from job to job. This table sums up the main factors and how they affect the price.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Type of job | Stills only are the cheapest, standard video costs more, and FPV cinematic work needs specialist pilots and equipment, so it's the most expensive. |
| Shooting time | A half day and a full day differ significantly. Jobs with multiple locations, or that need to wait for morning or evening light, take longer. |
| Location and distance | Jobs outside our main service area include travel costs and may also include accommodation. |
| Editing | Raw files are the cheapest; edited videos with music and color grading cost more depending on length and complexity. |
| Urgency | Jobs that must be delivered within 24–48 hours carry a rush fee compared with jobs planned in advance. |
| Location permits | Jobs in controlled areas require advance permission, which involves both processing fees and extra lead time. |
Because these factors differ for every job, an accurate price should come from a quote based on your actual job details, not a flat figure you saw in an ad.
5 questions to ask before choosing a drone team
- Is the team properly registered? — The pilots and drones must be registered with NBTC and CAAT as required by law. This is the most important point, because it affects both legality and coverage if something goes wrong. Read more in our article: Drone registration with NBTC and CAAT
- Does the team have third-party liability insurance? — For jobs in areas with people or property, ask clearly whether you're covered.
- Can they show real work? — Ask to see work similar to your job, not just a slick showreel, because real estate, events, and advertising call for different skills.
- Is their equipment right for the job? — Some jobs need specialist drones, such as FPV for continuous chase shots or a cinewhoop for flying indoors.
- Are the scope of work and revision rounds clearly defined? — Agree from the start on what kind of files you'll get, how many, when they'll be delivered, and how many rounds of revisions are included. This prevents more problems down the line than anything else.
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Why the cheapest team isn't always the answer
An unusually low price usually means some costs have been cut, mostly the ones clients can't see on shoot day but will notice when something goes wrong. For example, an unregistered team may have its flights stopped by officials mid-job, forcing you to reschedule everything, including the venue booking and crew.
Another common case is a vague scope of work, which leads to extra charges for revisions later, until the final total ends up higher than a team that quoted clearly from the start. So compare prices on an equal scope of work, not just the figure on the front of the quote.
What to prepare before requesting a quote
The more complete your information, the faster and more accurate your quote. Have these ready:
- The output you need, such as photos, video, or both
- Location and rough coordinates, so the team can check for no-fly zones in advance
- Your preferred date and time, and whether you have a backup date in case of bad weather
- The video length you need, and where it'll be used, such as social media, a website, or screens at an event
- Delivery deadline
- A rough budget, if you have one, so we can recommend the right package faster
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to request a quote?
Tell us the type of job, location, preferred date and time, and the output you need, such as photos, video, or both. The team will price it based on the actual details and reply with a clearly defined scope of work.
Does the quoted price include editing?
It depends on the package you agree on. When you request a quote, ask clearly whether editing is included, how long the video will be, and how many rounds of revisions you get.
If it rains or we can't fly on the day, do I pay extra?
If the weather is unsuitable or there's a safety concern, we'll reschedule at no extra cost and your deposit carries over to the new date. Full details: Refund policy
Do I get the full-resolution original files?
It depends on the package you agree on. Make it clear in the quote whether you'll get only the final edited files or the raw files too, because this affects the price.
What if my budget is limited?
Tell the team your budget and main needs upfront. That way we can recommend a suitable format, such as fewer shooting locations or starting with stills only, instead of cutting quality.
Do I need to get flight permits myself, or does the team handle them?
A professional team should check the location and handle permits for you. Ask about this when you request a quote, so your job doesn't get stopped halfway through.
Summary
Drone photography prices depend on the type of job, duration, location, editing, and turnaround. More important than the figure itself is whether the team is properly registered, has real work to show, and how clearly the scope of work is defined. The right way to compare prices is on an equal scope of work.
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Related services
- Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) — caat.or.th (drone operating rules and announcements)
- Office of the NBTC — nbtc.go.th (radio equipment registration for drones)
- Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497 (1954) and related Ministry of Transport announcements