How to Start a Drone Surveying Business: The Ultimate Guide

Summary

In this video, Michelle shares her journey from engineering to drone surveying and offers a comprehensive guide for those looking to start a drone surveying business. She covers essential topics like choosing the right drone, obtaining necessary licenses, and acquiring insurance. Michelle highlights the importance of using the right software, like DroneDeploy, and provides practical tips on pricing and client management. She emphasizes the value of accuracy and preparation, sharing her top recommendations to ensure a successful drone surveying business.

Takeaways

• 🚁 You need a drone to start drone surveying, with DJI Phantom 4 RTK being highly recommended for its accuracy and reliability.
• 🎯 Choosing an RTK drone provides superior accuracy for surveys, and it's ideal for professionals who prioritize precision.
• 💸 Entry-level drone surveying equipment can cost between £5,000 and £7,000, including essential accessories like batteries and licenses.
• 🛰️ You'll need a GPS license to operate the drone, and flexible options are available, allowing you to pay for licenses based on project duration.
• 📜 Accreditation is essential for commercial drone operations, and courses like ACC C of C or GVC are necessary in the UK.
• 🔐 Insurance is crucial for drone surveying, covering both the drone itself and public liability in case of accidents.
• 💻 Reliable software is needed for processing survey data. DroneDeploy is recommended for its cloud-based processing, though alternatives like Pix4D also exist.
• 📦 Having additional accessories such as extra batteries, cables, memory cards, and ground control points is vital to avoid disruptions during flights.
• 🛠️ For producing detailed drawings from survey data, exporting into software like LSS or AutoCAD is recommended.
• 💡 Top tips for drone surveying success include promoting your services on LinkedIn, ensuring proper pricing, and being clear on deliverables with clients.

Q & A

What motivated Michelle to switch from engineering to drone surveying?

Michelle transitioned from engineering to drone surveying around 3-4 years ago and hasn't looked back since, indicating that she found greater satisfaction and success in drone surveying compared to her previous career.

What is Michelle's preferred drone for surveying, and why?

Michelle prefers the DJI Phantom 4 RTK for surveying because it has been reliable, offers excellent accuracy, and has built-in GPS. She values accuracy as a former surveyor, making the RTK feature crucial for her work.

What is the difference between RTK and standard drones in terms of accuracy?

RTK drones, like the DJI Phantom 4 RTK, use GPS for higher accuracy, while standard drones rely on photogrammetry and ground control points (GCPs). RTK drones provide superior accuracy in surveying due to their GPS connectivity.

What are the key considerations when purchasing a drone for surveying?

Key considerations include whether the drone has RTK capabilities, payload capacity, necessary licenses, and accreditation for commercial flying. Michelle advises thorough research before investing in a drone, especially considering the payload's impact on licensing requirements.

What additional costs should be considered when starting a drone surveying business?

Beyond the cost of the drone, other expenses include GPS licenses, accreditation courses, insurance, software for processing survey data, and potentially a more powerful computer if processing is done locally.

What kind of accreditation is required to fly a drone for surveying purposes in the UK?

In the UK, mid-entry drones require an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 C of C) and potentially the General VLOS Certificate (GVC) depending on the flight location and commercial use. Michelle emphasizes checking local aviation laws for other countries.

Why is insurance important for drone surveying, and what type of insurance does Michelle recommend?

Insurance is crucial because accidents can happen, such as a drone crashing. Michelle recommends insurance that covers both public liability and drone equipment. She uses Cover Drone, which offers flexible insurance options based on flying needs.

What software does Michelle recommend for drone surveying, and why?

Michelle recommends DroneDeploy for both planning flight paths and processing survey data. She finds it more user-friendly and efficient than other software she has tested, like SightScan and Pix4D.

What are some essential accessories for drone surveying that beginners often overlook?

Beginners often overlook spare batteries, extra cables, a takeoff pad, and cones for securing the area. Michelle also advises having extra SIM cards and cables to avoid interruptions during flights.

What advice does Michelle give for pricing drone surveying services?

Michelle stresses the importance of setting the right price to avoid underpricing, considering the investment in equipment, software, insurance, and ongoing costs like cloud hosting. She advises being clear with clients about deliverables and factoring in all costs when pricing.