ok so this is kind of exciting but also stressful. A local real estate agent reached out through Instagram after seeing some shots I posted and she wants to hire me for a listing next week. She asked about my rates and I just said I'd send her a quote and now I'm sitting here like... what do I send her.

I've never done an official quote before, never had a contract, nothing. I've been flying jobs here and there for cash but nothing where someone's actually expecting a professional document. Does anyone have a contract template they use or know where to get one? I don't want to just do a handshake deal but I also don't want to send something that looks ridiculous.

Also she asked if I'm insured and I kind of said yes but I only have the basic Skywatch pay per flight thing. Is that enough to tell a client you're insured or do they need something more formal like a certificate? I feel like I'm in over my head a little but also this is exactly the kind of work I want to be doing so I don't want to blow it.

Skywatch does actually let you generate a certificate of insurance for specific flights, so you're not lying when you say you're insured. Just make sure you activate coverage for the actual shoot day and you can send her the cert. Most residential realtors won't ask for anything beyond proof of liability coverage anyway, the ones doing commercial stuff are way more particular about it.

For a contract, honestly just Google something like drone photography services agreement and there are some reasonable free templates out there. The main things you want covered are payment terms, what deliverables she gets and when, what happens if weather cancels, and a clause about you retaining rights to use the footage in your portfolio unless she pays extra to restrict that. Don't overthink the contract for a first residential job, it just needs to exist so there's something in writing.

And congrats by the way. First real client is always the one that makes you realize you might actually be able to do this.

I'd just be upfront with her honestly. Most realtors who are hiring drone pilots for the first time don't really know what to expect document-wise anyway. just send a simple email that lays out what you'll deliver, the price, and when they pay. that's basically a contract at that point even if it's not a fancy PDF. you can get more formal as you do more of these. also yeah Skywatch covers you, just activate it before you fly, people make that mistake sometimes and fly uncovered without thinking about it.