so a property management company reached out to me through instagram of all places and they want me to do aerial photos for like 8 properties a month on an ongoing basis. this would be my first actual recurring commercial client not just one-off stuff.

i quoted them $275 per property which felt right to me at the time but then the guy came back and said their last drone person was doing it for $180 and asked if i could match. i held firm and said i couldnt do it that low but now im sitting here wondering if i made a mistake. like what if he just goes and finds someone else for $180 and i lose the whole thing.

the properties are pretty standard residential stuff, nothing crazy, probably 45 min on site per location plus editing. at $275 im not exactly getting rich but i feel like $180 is just way too low. am i overthinking this

you did the right thing. the guy who was doing it for $180 either burned out and quit or just decided it wasnt worth it anymore ? thats probably why they're looking for someone new in the first place. that should tell you something right there.

with ongoing commercial clients the thing is once you set a price its really hard to raise it later without awkwardness. so starting too low basically locks you in. if this property management company is legit they know that quality work costs money. i had a similar situation with a construction company a couple years back and i held my rate, they pushed back, i explained what was included and what my deliverables were and they came around. been working with them ever since at the rate i wanted.

also dont forget that 8 properties a month means you're basically committing real time to these people. make sure you account for the drive between locations too not just the on-site time, that adds up fast if the properties are spread out.

honestly $180 for 45 min on site plus editing sounds exhausting. thats like... what does that work out to after you factor everything in. you were right to hold firm imo. if they go with someone cheaper and that person flakes or delivers garbage footage they'll come back to you anyway, happens all the time