In the LA market, aerial drone coverage is usually a $100–$300 add-on to a shoot. The price depends on whether you want stills, video or both, and how tricky the property and airspace are. At Virtual View Tours it's a $200 add-on. Price is the easy part. Any drone flight for a listing in the US is commercial work, so the pilot needs an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Most of Los Angeles also sits in controlled airspace, which means FAA authorization (usually through LAANC) before takeoff. Hire an unlicensed pilot and the flight is illegal, and the agent can be at risk too. The fastest way to an exact number is our order page.
How much does real estate drone photography cost in LA?
Around Los Angeles, aerial coverage usually gets added to a photo or video shoot instead of booked alone, and it typically runs $100 to $300 depending on the property. At Virtual View Tours it's a $200 add-on. Aerial-only jobs are priced per property. No two parcels fly the same, so a few things move that number.
- Stills, video, or both. Aerial stills cost the least. Add aerial video or a reveal shot and you add flight time and editing time.
- Property and airspace complexity. A large parcel, a hillside approach or a spot that needs airspace approval takes more planning than a flat suburban lot.
- Edit and turnaround. Color work, stabilization and fast delivery are included at a full-service studio. Others charge a rush fee.
When you want the exact figure, book online at our order page and price your listing and add-ons in minutes.
Do you legally need a license to fly a drone for a listing?
Yes. A drone flight made to help market a property is commercial work, and under FAA Part 107 the pilot must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate. The rules for hobby flying don't cover paid listing photography. This isn't a technicality. An agent who hires an unlicensed pilot has an illegal flight tied to their own listing.
At VVT, aerial work is flown by a Part 107 certified pilot and carries liability insurance. It's a fair question to ask any studio before you book.
Is it even legal to fly where my listing is? LA airspace, explained.
Not everywhere, and LA is tricky. A big share of the metro sits in controlled airspace: the Class B shelf around LAX, plus controlled zones around Burbank, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, Hawthorne and Long Beach. Flying there takes FAA authorization before takeoff, most often through LAANC, a system that can approve many locations in near real time. Some spots need extra approval or are off limits, including areas close to airports and heliports and anywhere under a temporary flight restriction.
A licensed pilot checks the airspace for your exact address and clears it before the shoot. That way you don't get a surprise on shoot day that throws off your listing date.
What separates a good aerial add-on from a cheap one?
Three things, and none of them is the drone. First, a licensed and insured pilot who clears the airspace. Second, the right shots for the property: a wide frame that places the home in its setting, a shot that shows the lot lines, and close aerials of the pool, the view or the acreage. Third, fast, edited delivery that arrives with the rest of the gallery, not a week later.
When is drone worth it, and when is it not?
Aerial is worth it on view lots, large or waterfront parcels, hillside homes, gated estates where the grounds don't show from the street, and as opening shots for a listing video. It adds little for an interior condo with no outdoor space to show. We'll tell you straight when it isn't worth it for your listing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does real estate drone photography cost in Los Angeles?
In the LA market, aerial drone coverage is usually a $100 to $300 add-on to a shoot, depending on stills, video or both, and how tricky the property and airspace are. At Virtual View Tours it is a $200 add-on. For an exact figure on your listing, book online on our booking page.
Do you need a license to fly a drone for a real estate listing?
Yes. Any drone flight for real estate marketing is commercial work, so under FAA Part 107 the pilot must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate. The recreational drone rules that cover hobby flying do not cover paid listing photography.
Is drone photography legal everywhere in Los Angeles?
No. Much of Los Angeles sits in controlled airspace around airports like LAX, Burbank, Van Nuys, and Santa Monica, which requires FAA authorization before takeoff, usually through LAANC, and some areas are restricted entirely. A licensed operator checks and clears the airspace before every flight.
Is aerial photography worth it for every listing?
No. Drone helps most on view lots, large or waterfront parcels, hillside homes, gated estates, and opening shots for video. It adds little for an interior condo with no exterior to show. We'll tell you plainly when it isn't worth the add-on.
How do I get an exact drone photography price?
Book online on our order page to price your listing and add-ons, or see full details on our pricing page.
Book your aerial shoot online in minutes.
No price range to guess at. Tell us your listing and the add-ons you want, and we'll price it exactly, with airspace and licensing already handled. Aerial stills arrive the next morning. Aerial video takes 2 to 4 business days.
Book your shoot →