Drone Repair Shops

Today, thanks to a continued decrease in price, drones are now a fairly mainstream product. The skies, which were once the domain of experienced pilots, are filling with newbie operators trying their hand at drone flight.

As such, some have discovered that “ready-to-fly” – as many drones are marketed – can really mean, “ready-to-crash”.  Of course, even veteran operators experience the odd mishap or two.

When it inevitably occurs, a crash can impact the vehicle in a number of ways – from slight damage to outright destruction or complete loss of the vehicle.

So, what should you do in the event your drone requires repairs?

While some may have the skill and confidence to make their own repairs, other may hesitate. After all, these technological wonders, though more affordable, still cost hundreds of dollars. For the hesitant, perhaps a professional drone shop is the answer.

But, what should you look for when choosing a shop? How do you get about getting your drone fixed? And how much will it cost?

Read on to discover answers to these commonly asked questions.

 

Drone repair shops: a growing industry

As the number of drones have steadily increased, so have the number of drone repair shops. It’s not surprising given the costs associated with purchasing these vehicles. Many would rather spend money repairing their drone versus simply discarding it once its damaged.

To ensure your drone works as it should, it is advisable to entrust the repair work to a professional.

For those with a professional repair facility nearby, its an easy solution. Simply call the shop, set up an appointment and take your drone to the shop.

For those users who don’t have a local repair shop, there’s good news. Many drone repair stores accept drone delivery by mail. All you have to do is box up your damaged vehicle and send it to them.

 

 Emerging companies

 As mentioned, the number of professional drone service companies, though growing, is still relatively limited. A web search should prove useful when determining your service repair options.

There are a few companies attempting to distinguish themselves in this burgeoning industry.

Unmanned Systems and Solutions (USAS) recently opened a 120,000 square foot facility in Chicago, Illinois. They claim to offer quick evaluation and repair of many major manufactured brands. Consumers can print a mailing label and ship their drone in for evaluation – which is usually completed within 48-hours.

Another company is Expert Drones, which operates from its Old Town Alexandria repair location. Like USAS, Expert Drones also accepts damaged drones at any of their four repair facilities.

Drone e-commerce website DroneFly also offers a repair service although that is currently closed to new repairs due to high volume.

One thing to remember, not every shop fixes all brands of drones. Make sure you double check that they can service the make and model of your drone before you send it to them for repairs.

 

Evaluation, Costs and Duration

Once you’ve selected the repair shop, the next consideration is cost. How much can you expect to pay to have your damaged drone evaluated and repaired?

Most shops will charge to evaluate your drone as well as provide a list of repairs and the costs associated with each.

Evaluation fees fluctuate between the various companies. On average, the cost for a drone repair evaluation is around $30. Repair costs of course depend on the damage the drone sustained. Average repairs cost around $200, with most jobs completed in less than a week.

Don’t forget to account for ship time. Given these factors, most drone owners can expect to have their drone flying again within two weeks.

The growing number of repair facilities is welcome news for frustrated pilots with damaged drones who hope to fly again quickly.

When compared to the cost of purchasing a high-end drone, the price of repairs is reasonable.

If the unfortunate does happen and your drone is damaged, professionals are now available to provide repairs. And, whether your damaged drone is for work or pleasure, you’ll soon be flying again in no time.