Thinking of Stopping Doing Commercial Work

[spamgnome]

I've been doing some pretty basic Part 107 work for the past 5 or so years. It's 99% CRE (Commercial Real Estate) so the money is pretty bottom of the barrel. However, I enjoy doing these easy assignments. It gets me out of the house (I'm retired) and gives me an excuse to fly my Air 3S. Lately though, it looks like my next drone may be either MUCH more expensive or may not even be readily available. While I like doing these CRE jobs, I get the most enjoyment by using my drone on vacation. In other words, the risk of crashing my drone is now riskier given that I don't know if or for how much my next drone will be obtained. I don't really need the money from the work, so I'm considering not doing most of the projects going forward.
I'm posting this just to see how the rest of the community is thinking about this as time goes on. Obviously, if you do drone work full time and it's your living, that's a whole different animal. I might feel differently if these types of jobs paid 50% more, but the pricing actually seems to be going the other way.

 

[FLDave]

I've been doing some pretty basic Part 107 work for the past 5 or so years. It's 99% CRE (Commercial Real Estate) so the money is pretty bottom of the barrel. However, I enjoy doing these easy assignments. It gets me out of the house (I'm retired) and gives me an excuse to fly my Air 3S. Lately though, it looks like my next drone may be either MUCH more expensive or may not even be readily available. While I like doing these CRE jobs, I get the most enjoyment by using my drone on vacation. In other words, the risk of crashing my drone is now riskier given that I don't know if or for how much my next drone will be obtained. I don't really need the money from the work, so I'm considering not doing most of the projects going forward.
I'm posting this just to see how the rest of the community is thinking about this as time goes on. Obviously, if you do drone work full time and it's your living, that's a whole different animal. I might feel differently if these types of jobs paid 50% more, but the pricing actually seems to be going the other way.

As a business there are a lot of financial records to manage Is your small business making a profit? Have you been filing IRS annual income taxes to include your business? If not, they I'd say you don't have business in flying. On the other hand you could take advantage of the tax implications for business loss, even with the purchase of a new drone. The loss could be advantageous against your other taxable income for the year, assuming you file annually and owe some income tax.

 

[Felix le Chat]

I've been doing some pretty basic Part 107 work for the past 5 or so years. It's 99% CRE (Commercial Real Estate) so the money is pretty bottom of the barrel. However, I enjoy doing these easy assignments. It gets me out of the house (I'm retired) and gives me an excuse to fly my Air 3S. Lately though, it looks like my next drone may be either MUCH more expensive or may not even be readily available. While I like doing these CRE jobs, I get the most enjoyment by using my drone on vacation. In other words, the risk of crashing my drone is now riskier given that I don't know if or for how much my next drone will be obtained. I don't really need the money from the work, so I'm considering not doing most of the projects going forward.
I'm posting this just to see how the rest of the community is thinking about this as time goes on. Obviously, if you do drone work full time and it's your living, that's a whole different animal. I might feel differently if these types of jobs paid 50% more, but the pricing actually seems to be going the other way.

Finding something to do with your flying camera (other than cranking out formulaic video ads for cheapskate/ungrateful estate agencies) will keep you interested in using one of the most amazing technological developments of the early 21st century.

Find something that interests you and pursue it for your own profit (read: satisfaction).

There's plenty of subjects out there that are crying out for photographic documentation... especially the stuff that isn't likely to make it to the next century intact.

You already have the tools to do a professional level job: develop a passion and pursue it... you never know, it might lead you down a path that could put some dollars in your pocket at the same time.

 

[Cafguy]

Technology cost me the only good security contract I had. I was replaced by motion sensor cams on wires that live in little boxes until they are set off. The business now doesn’t have to pay the extra insurance and whatnot for having a drone do it. The job was really just helping my hobby budget, not sure if I will continue.

 

[orionshooter]

You’ve gotten some fantastic advice here and mine may pale by comparison but….if it isn’t fun, retirement is no time to do it. There are too many other things to do with and without a drone. Seek and find friend.

 

[AnzacJack]

. I was replaced by motion sensor cams on wires that live in little boxes until they are set off.

sorry that it has not been good for your business, but this system sounds interesting. Do you have a link to the system being used?
Thanks mate

 

[Cafguy]

I don't sorry... I dont even remember who makes them, but they are cameras like they used to use at the football games. There is a box mounted to each light pole and wires strung thru the boxes. The cameras live in the box until someone sets of a motion detector. That causes the nearest cam to come out of its box and video you. Pretty cool unless your a drone pilot needing extra cash lol.

 

[skycam509]

I understand how you feel about needing to preserve your drones due to the uncertainty with getting a replacement or even getting one repaired (getting a refurb into the country). I would say, if you don't have a lot of recurring overhead (my only ongoing one is insurance), just pick and choose the best jobs and let the rest go. Like someone else mentioned, retirement should be fun.

 

[BlueHeeler]

I've been doing some pretty basic Part 107 work for the past 5 or so years. It's 99% CRE (Commercial Real Estate) so the money is pretty bottom of the barrel. However, I enjoy doing these easy assignments. It gets me out of the house (I'm retired) and gives me an excuse to fly my Air 3S. Lately though, it looks like my next drone may be either MUCH more expensive or may not even be readily available. While I like doing these CRE jobs, I get the most enjoyment by using my drone on vacation. In other words, the risk of crashing my drone is now riskier given that I don't know if or for how much my next drone will be obtained. I don't really need the money from the work, so I'm considering not doing most of the projects going forward.
I'm posting this just to see how the rest of the community is thinking about this as time goes on. Obviously, if you do drone work full time and it's your living, that's a whole different animal. I might feel differently if these types of jobs paid 50% more, but the pricing actually seems to be going the other way.I

I actually looked into the commercial aspect of it and I didn't like the numbers, especially the cost of business licenses, the LLC, the website domain, etc. etc. I had a hard time breaking into the real estate segment too because of all the lowballing by other drone operators and enthusiasts, so at this point in time I have decided to work on photographic Stills and Video for a few extra dollars, thanks to some Friends and Family