Most commercial drone companies make you call before they will say a number. That wastes your time and ours. Below are honest starting ranges so you can decide whether a drone survey fits the budget before you pick up the phone. These are indicative figures for planning — every job still gets a firm written quote scoped to your site.
Read this first
- Figures are indicative starting ranges in CAD, for budgeting only — not fixed prices.
- Final price depends on site size, access, travel, accuracy, deliverable format and turnaround.
- Recurring programs are quoted below the one-off rate. You always get a firm written quote first.
Typical starting ranges
| Service | What it covers | From |
|---|---|---|
| Stockpile measurement | Single site, per-pile volume report + accuracy report | $650 / site |
| Site mapping & orthomosaic | Orthomosaic + surface model, priced by area | $45 / ha |
| Structural / asset inspection | Tower, stack, roof or facility — imagery + defect report | $750 / site |
| Solar thermal inspection | Every-module radiometric scan + anomaly report, by array size | $300 / MW |
| Aerial methane survey | Gathering systems / well pads, priced by corridor length | $60 / km |
| Construction progress | Recurring site flight + photo/map deliverable per visit | $400 / visit |
Ranges shown are typical entry points for a straightforward single-site job within the Edmonton–Calgary corridor. Remote sites, multi-day mobilizations, higher accuracy classes and rush turnaround are quoted accordingly.
What is always included
- Transport Canada Advanced RPAS certified pilot and pre-flight airspace coordination
- $5M aviation liability insurance — above the 2026 $2M minimum
- Processed deliverable in the format your team uses, not just raw images
- A documented accuracy report on survey-grade work
What moves the price
- Site size and complexity — more area, more flights, more ground control.
- Travel and mobilization — drive time and multi-day staging outside the main corridor.
- Accuracy class — engineering-grade ground control costs more than a planning-grade map.
- Turnaround — rush delivery is priced above standard scheduling.
- Recurrence — monthly or quarterly programs are quoted below the one-off rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why publish prices when most drone companies do not?
Because guessing wastes everyone's time. A rough range lets you decide whether a drone survey fits the budget before you pick up the phone. It filters out tire-kickers and lets serious buyers plan. Every job still gets a firm written quote scoped to the site.
Are these fixed prices?
No. They are indicative starting ranges for budgeting only. Final pricing depends on site size, access, travel, deliverable format, turnaround and any compliance requirements. You always get a firm written quote before work begins.
What drives the price up or down?
Site size and complexity, drive time and mobilization, required accuracy and ground control, deliverable format, turnaround speed, and whether the work recurs on a schedule. Recurring monthly or quarterly programs are priced better per visit than one-off flights.
Do you price recurring inspection programs differently?
Yes. Recurring stockpile, solar or inspection cycles are quoted as a program with a per-visit rate below the one-off price, because mobilization and ground control are amortized across visits and the workflow is already established.
Get a firm quote for your siteTell us the site and the deliverable — you get a written number back.Request a quote →or call 587-532-9000