The Costs of Hiring a Real Estate Drone Photographer vs. Doing It Yourself
Do you know those killer aerial shots that make a property look like a dream home? They don’t just happen by accident.
And if you’ve ever thought, Maybe I should just buy a drone and do this myself, you’re not alone.
A lot of agents think grabbing a drone will save them cash. No more waiting on a photographer, no more scheduling headaches—just point, shoot, and done. But hold on… is it really that easy?
The drone is just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll need time to learn, a license to fly legally, and skills to edit like a pro. And let’s be real, your first few shots? They won’t look like the ones you see online.
So, is it worth going all in, or should you leave it to the experts? Let’s break down every cost—upfront, hidden, and unexpected—so you can decide what’s best for your business.
The Upfront Costs – Buying a Drone vs. Hiring a Photographer
As a real estate agent, you know great visuals sell homes. But do you really have the tools—and the time—to create drone footage that makes your listings stand out?
Let’s break down the real costs of buying a drone vs. hiring a pro.
Buying a Drone
Let’s start with the obvious—buying a drone means you own it. No scheduling, no waiting on a photographer, just you and your gear. Sounds great, right?
But here’s the catch, a real estate-worthy drone isn’t cheap. You’re looking at $800 to $2,000+ for a drone that can shoot high-quality 4K footage. Anything less, and you risk blurry, unusable shots. Not all drones are built the same, though.
If you're serious about getting professional-quality real estate photos, knowing what features to look for is key. This guide on the best drone features for pro-level photography breaks down the must-haves so you don’t waste money on the wrong model.
And that’s just the drone. You’ll also need extra batteries (one isn’t enough for a full shoot), ND filters to control lighting, high-speed SD cards to store your footage, and maybe even a landing pad if you're working on dirt or grass. Those little add-ons? They add up fast—expect to drop another $200 to $500 on accessories alone.
But here’s the kicker, that a lot of people don’t understand…
Just owning a drone doesn’t mean you’ll get those sleek, cinematic shots right away. There’s a learning curve, and trust me, your first few flights won’t look anything like what you see in real estate listings.
Hiring a Pro
Now, let’s talk about the other side—hiring a photographer. No buying, no learning, no worrying about crashing a $1,500 drone into a tree. You pay for the photos or video, and that’s it.
Pricing depends on a few things.
location, experience, and property size. A single photoshoot can range from $150 to $2,000, while full video packages with editing might push $700 to $3,000. Some photographers offer bulk discounts if you’re shooting multiple properties per month, making it more affordable in the long run.
The upside? You’re getting a polished, professional product without the headache. The downside? Every listing means another bill, and over time, those costs add up.
If you’re leaning toward handling it yourself, choosing the right drone is a big part of the equation. Not all models are built for real estate work, so it’s important to pick one that delivers sharp, stable footage without breaking the bank. Here’s a breakdown of the best drones for real estate photography to help you find the right fit.
So, the question is—do you want full control (and the learning curve that comes with it), or do you want to pay for convenience and expertise?
Let’s keep going because the upfront costs are just the start.
Licensing and Legal Costs
Buying a drone is one thing, but flying it legally for real estate work? That’s a whole other story. If you’re thinking about doing this yourself, you can’t just grab a drone and start shooting listings.
The FAA has rules, and if you don’t follow them, you’re looking at fines or even legal trouble.
DIY Requirements
To legally fly a drone for real estate, you need a Part 107 Certification from the FAA. That means studying, passing a test, and paying $175 for the exam.
Not a huge cost, but the time commitment is real—most people spend 10 to 20 hours preparing for the test. And trust me, it’s not just common sense questions. You’ll need to learn airspace rules, weather patterns, and drone regulations—stuff that actually matters if you want to avoid breaking the law.
And then there’s insurance. If you crash into a house, a car, or—worst case—someone’s head, you’re on the hook for damages. A basic drone insurance policy can run $500 to $1,000 per year, depending on coverage. Some people take the risk and fly without it, but that’s playing with fire.
Professional Photographer
When you hire a pro, all of this? Not your problem. They already have their Part 107 Certification, insurance, and experience to fly without breaking any laws. If something goes wrong, it’s their liability, not yours.
The biggest perk here? You’re not worrying about legal issues, airspace restrictions, or whether you studied enough to pass a government test. You just get your shots, list the property, and move on to the next deal.
So, do you want to learn the rules and take on the risk, or would you rather pay someone who’s already done all of that?
Let’s keep going because there’s more to consider.
Training and Skill Level
As I have mentioned earlier, owning a drone doesn’t mean you’ll instantly get those smooth, cinematic shots that make listings pop. There’s a skill to flying and an even bigger skill to making the footage actually look good.
If you’ve never flown before, expect a learning curve. And if you don’t have time to practice? Your first few listings might look more like security camera footage than high-end real estate marketing.
Learning to Fly Takes Time (and Money)
Flying a drone isn’t as simple as pushing a joystick. To get smooth, professional shots, you need to learn how to control speed, altitude, angles, and camera movement—all while avoiding obstacles and keeping the subject framed properly. That kind of control takes weeks (or months) of practice, depending on how much time you put in.
And let’s be real, mistakes happen. A bad turn? A sudden gust of wind? Next thing you know, your $1,500 drone is in a tree, or worse, in pieces on the ground. Repairs aren’t cheap, and if you crash hard enough, you might be looking at buying a whole new drone. Even small mistakes, like shaky footage or poor lighting, mean you’ll have to reshoot—which is more time lost.
Even if you nail the shots, raw footage isn’t enough. Real estate videos need to be color-corrected, stabilized, and professionally edited to look their best. That means learning editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve—and these aren’t drag-and-drop apps.
Editing software costs around $20 to $100+ per month, and mastering it takes hours of trial and error. Fixing overexposed footage, adjusting contrast, and smoothing out shaky video all take time. And if you don’t have the patience for it? You’ll either hire an editor (which costs extra) or end up with videos that don’t sell the property like they should.
At the end of the day, drone photography isn’t just about flying—it’s about knowing how to capture and edit footage that actually helps listings stand out. If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. Let’s keep going because there are still hidden costs and risks you might not have considered.
Hidden Costs and Risks - Learn About Them
Buying a drone seems like a one-time investment, but the hidden costs can sneak up on you fast. It’s not just the price of the drone, it’s repairs, warranties, insurance, and lost time that add up.
And if you’re using a drone for real estate, every mistake costs more than just money—it costs time, listings, and potential clients.
Crashes Happen—And They’re Expensive
Here is the thing though, at some point, you’re going to hit something. A tree, a power line, maybe even a rooftop. Even experienced pilots crash (ever seen drone fail compilations?).
Repairs aren’t cheap. A cracked gimbal? $200-$400. A full drone replacement? You’re looking at $1,000+. And unless you shelled out for warranty or drone insurance, that’s coming straight out of pocket.
Speaking of insurance, if you’re flying commercially, you might need liability coverage. A standard drone policy can cost $500 to $1,000 per year, depending on the coverage. Some agents try to wing it without insurance, but one accident that damages a client’s roof or car, and suddenly, that “cheap” drone isn’t so cheap anymore.
Time Is Money—And Drone Work Eats It Up
Even if you never crash, flying a drone isn’t just “take off, get the shot, and leave.” There’s flight prep, scouting locations, setting up shots, reviewing footage, and editing. A simple 10-minute shoot can turn into hours once you factor in post-production.
And let’s not forget the reshoots. If you realize after the fact that your footage is too shaky, too dark, or just doesn’t look right, guess what? You’re heading back to the property to film again. That’s time you could’ve spent closing deals, networking, or handling other parts of your business.
So, while buying a drone might seem like the more affordable option, the real cost isn’t just in dollars—it’s in time, effort, and potential mistakes. Next up, let’s talk about when it actually makes sense to buy vs. hire.
When It Makes Sense to Buy vs. Hire
So, after all this, which route makes the most sense? That depends on how often you need aerial shots and whether you have the time to make it worth the investment.
Best for Hiring a Photographer
If you only need drone shots once in a while, hiring a professional is the better move. You get flawless, ready-to-use footage without worrying about flying, editing, or legal issues. This is especially true for high-end listings, where quality matters and the margin for error is slim.
Best for Buying a Drone
If you’re listing multiple properties a month, buying a drone could make sense—if you’re willing to invest time in training and editing. Over time, the savings add up, and you gain full control over your marketing.
But remember, the upfront costs and learning curve are real, and cutting corners can lead to bad footage that hurts your listings instead of helping them.
What If You're Part-Time or Only Sell a Few Homes a Year?
Not selling homes full-time? Then buying a drone probably isn’t worth it.
And here’s why!
The upfront cost alone could take years to pay off, and unless you’re practicing regularly, your footage might not be good enough to make a difference. There’s no point in owning a drone if you’re only using it a couple of times a year and still need to hire a pro to fix your mistakes.
But that doesn’t mean you should ignore drones altogether. Aerial shots sell homes, and knowing how to use them in your marketing can set you apart.
Even if you don’t own one, consider learning how to evaluate good drone footage and which shots work best for real estate. That way, when you do hire a photographer, you’ll know exactly what to ask for—and make sure you’re getting what you paid for.
Conclusion: What’s Right for You?
At the end of the day, buying a drone is more than just a one-time purchase—it’s a commitment. The cost of the drone itself is just the beginning. There’s training, licensing, insurance, editing software, and the time it takes to actually get good.
If you’re not ready to put in that effort, you might end up with shaky footage, expensive repairs, and more stress than it’s worth.
On the other hand, hiring a pro keeps things simple. You get high-quality, ready-to-use footage without the hassle of learning to fly, dealing with FAA rules, or fixing bad shots. If you’re not listing homes regularly or don’t want to spend hours learning drone photography, hiring is often the smarter, more cost-effective choice.
So before you buy, ask yourself the real questions—do you have the time, patience, and budget to make this work? If the answer is no, hiring a photographer might save you more money—and headaches—than you think.