Business and pricing0 answersAI answer
Thinking about investing in a drone or laser scanner. Is it worth it?
Asked October 25, 2026
AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor
It can be, if you have the work for it and plan the workflow [1].
Questions to ask first:
- Demand: do clients (engineers, contractors, mines, developers) ask for volumes, as-builts or large topographic surveys?
- Workflow: processing time, software, storage, and how the output merges with your CAD [2].
- Skills: training for flight operations and data processing. Drone pilots need FAA Part 107 certification for commercial work.
- Quality control: checkpoints and accuracy reporting.
- Pricing: account for equipment cost, processing time and liability.
Start small:
- Subcontract or rent first, to learn demand and processing time.
- Pick one service, such as stockpile volumes or open-site topography, and do it well.
Technology is changing quickly, so focus on reliable deliverables your clients will pay for [3].
General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.