Getting ready to make my drone business official after 6 months of flying Part 107. I'm torn between starting as sole prop to keep things simple or jumping straight to LLC for protection.

Currently doing mostly real estate photography (insurance is running me $450-$800/year for liability and about 6-8% of equipment value for hull), but hoping to expand into inspections next year.

For those who started one way - did you regret it? How painful was the transition if you switched later? I keep reading that LLC adds credibility and protection, but should I consult a CPA first?

Started as sole prop 3 years ago, switched to LLC last year when I hit $50K revenue. Honestly wish I'd just done LLC from day one - the paperwork to switch wasn't horrible but having that liability protection earlier would've helped me sleep better.

LLC provides liability protection and shields personal assets from business debts, plus offers tax benefits and enhances credibility with clients. If you're already making decent money, the extra $200-500 in setup costs is worth it for the peace of mind alone.

I've been sole prop for 2 years and honestly it's been fine for basic real estate work. Most commercial clients require insurance anyway, so that covers the liability piece. But if you're planning to expand into higher-risk work like inspections, definitely consider LLC.