What should I check before buying a drone mapping or inspection business?

A mapping or inspection firm sells data and reports, not just flights. Its value to a client lies in surveys that are accurate and repeatable, delivered on time. That makes the paperwork, the software and the sensor records as important as the aircraft. Ask for all of it early, and have someone who knows the work read it with you.

Contracts and repeat work

Ask to see master service agreements and standing orders with engineering, construction, mining and utility clients. Find out how much work is scheduled, how much is repeat and how much arrives by referral. Read what each agreement says about assignment, and ask whether any client would need to consent before a new owner steps in. Your lawyer can tell you what applies.

Software, sensors and data

Processing software and cloud storage are often paid by subscription, sometimes on the owner’s personal account. Ask whose name each one is in and whether it can move. For sensors such as lidar, thermal cameras and survey-grade positioning, ask for calibration and service records. Then ask who owns the archive of past client data, and what the contracts say about keeping it.

People and relationships

Find out which pilots and analysts do the work, what certifications they hold, and whether they plan to stay. If clients deal with one pilot, that person is the real asset. Many buyers ask for a handover period and a short chat with the main clients, with the seller’s permission, before they commit.

• Master service agreements and the clients behind them
• Software and cloud accounts and the name each is held in
• Sensor calibration and repair records
• Archive of client data and the terms covering it