Free Drone Operator Quote Template
Drone operators quote before arriving on site because flight permissions, weather contingencies, and restricted airspace can affect both price and timeline. A quote sets the shoot duration, edit deliverables, and weather policy before any equipment is loaded.
Currency
Live Preview
How does a drone operator write a quote?
A drone operator quote sets out the planned flight and the price before the shoot, such as an aerial photography session, edited footage, and the flight planning. List on-site time, editing, and permissions separately, and note that weather can move the date. The figure is an estimate until the client accepts it.
Typical line items
- Aerial photography session (2 hours on site)
- Aerial footage editing and colour grade
- Flight planning, permissions, and insurance
- Additional locations or flights
- Photo retouching and selection
- Licence for commercial use
- Travel to site
- Weather contingency or reschedule note
How the work is charged
Drone operators usually quote a fixed price for a session, with editing and extra locations itemised. Flight planning, permissions, and insurance are stated as part of the cost.
Payment terms and deposits
A quote often proposes a deposit to book the date, with the balance on delivery of final files. The price holds for a stated period and is an estimate until accepted, so note the weather reschedule policy.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, show it as a separate line with your registration number. Flight permissions and licensing rules vary by area, so confirm what applies to the location.
Frequently asked questions
How much does drone photography cost?
A 2-hour aerial photography session costs €600 to €1,200 in most European markets. Construction site documentation (regular check-in flights) runs €350 to €700 per visit. Real estate aerial photography for a property listing typically costs €300 to €600 including basic editing.
What should a drone quote include?
List the session duration, number of locations, delivery format (stills, 4K video, both), edit turnaround time, and whether the quote includes permissions. If you're flying in controlled or restricted airspace, include the cost of obtaining CAA or national authority permission, which can add €100 to €300.
What is your cancellation policy for drone shoots?
Most drone operators have a weather cancellation clause in their quotes: if conditions are unsafe to fly, the session is rescheduled at no charge. If the client cancels with less than 48 hours' notice, a cancellation fee of 25% to 50% is typically applied. State this clearly in your quote.
Related quote templates
Read the complete quoting guide to see how to price a job and turn an accepted quote into an invoice.
Back to Quote Generator →