Just got my Part 107 and I'm trying to figure out my real costs before quoting clients. I've calculated equipment depreciation, insurance, and gas, but what about the hidden costs everyone talks about? I see people mentioning "cost of doing business" but I'm not sure what else to include. Are there other expenses I should factor in that aren't obvious?

Right now I'm at about $85/hour but wondering if that's covering everything.

Your cost of doing business includes ALL expenses - equipment, insurance, licensing, training, and operational costs. Don't forget maintenance, software subscriptions, marketing costs, vehicle wear, and your time for admin work like editing and client communication.

Include office space, utilities, marketing, tax software, web hosting and administrative costs. I divide these across my expected annual clients. Also factor in time between jobs - you're not flying 8 hours straight every day!

I made this mistake early on! If you underestimate your costs, you'll charge less than necessary to cover expenses and generate profit. Track EVERYTHING for your first few months - you'll be surprised what adds up.