I'm about 3 months into my drone business and struggling with pricing. I started at $150 for basic real estate shoots because I wanted to build up my portfolio, but now I'm feeling like I'm way too low compared to what I'm seeing others charge.

How do you determine your rates? Do you charge by the hour, per project, or have package deals? I've had potential clients tell me my competitor quoted them $400 for the same job I'm doing for $150. Am I shooting myself in the foot here?

Also, how do you handle clients who try to negotiate down or want "just a quick 5-minute flight" for cheap? I feel like I'm not confident enough yet to stand firm on pricing.

You're definitely underpricing yourself. For real estate, I charge $300-450 minimum depending on property size and deliverables. Remember, you're not just charging for flight time - you're charging for your certification, insurance, equipment, editing time, and expertise. Price confidently or clients will assume you're not professional.

I struggled with this too when I started! What helped me was creating clear packages instead of custom quotes every time. Basic package is $350, premium with video walkthrough is $500. No negotiation, no "quick flights." If they want cheap, they can find someone else. Your time and skills have value!

The "just 5 minutes" thing is the worst. I tell them minimum is still full setup, preflight checks, drive time, editing, etc. There's no such thing as a 5-minute job in this business. Stick to your rates or you'll be working for peanuts forever. Good clients understand professional pricing.