Specializing in drone-based electric utility inspections that cover the power grid across the entire United States - from bustling major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas to the most remote rural areas in Colorado, the Everglades, or the deserts of Arizona. Our operations leverage a network of certified drone pilots, advanced UAS technology, and strategic partnerships with FAA 107 operators to ensure seamless coverage anywhere in the country.

 

We base our rates on a per-pole inspected model, averaging $5–$12 per pole, which reflects the scope of work while incorporating factors like terrain, urgency, and planning horizons. Below, we break it down in detail to justify our approach and demonstrate how it delivers superior ROI compared to traditional ground-based or helicopter inspections.

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 Overview of Our Inspection Services

Our inspections utilize state-of-the-art drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, LiDAR, and multispectral sensors to assess power poles, lines, substations, transformers, and surrounding vegetation. This non-invasive method minimizes downtime, reduces safety risks for linemen, and provides detailed, geotagged data for remote analysis. We handle everything from routine compliance checks to emergency post-storm assessments, with deliverables including interactive GIS maps, 3D models, anomaly reports (e.g., detecting corrosion, hotspots, or encroachment), and integration with your existing systems like ArcGIS or IBM Maximo.

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Base Pricing Structure: $5–$12 Per Pole​

Our pricing is per pole inspected, making it straightforward and scalable for projects of any size - from a few thousand poles in a suburban neighborhood to tens of thousands across a statewide grid. The average range of $5–$12 per pole is derived from industry benchmarks, where traditional inspections can cost $20–$50 per pole due to labor, equipment, and access challenges. We keep costs low through  efficiency, which reduces inspection time by up to 80% (e.g., inspecting 1000 poles on average per pilot per week).

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Key factors influencing the per-pole rate include:

• Scope of Work (Primary Driver):

  • Basic Visual Inspection ($5–$7 per pole): High-resolution RGB imagery for structural integrity, hardware checks, and basic vegetation assessment. Ideal for routine maintenance in accessible urban or suburban areas.

  • Standard Thermal + Visual ($7–$9 per pole): Adds infrared scanning for hotspots, overloads, and early fault detection. Suitable for moderate-risk lines in mixed terrains.

  • Advanced Comprehensive ($9–$12 per pole): Includes LiDAR for 3D modeling, multispectral analysis for vegetation health, and AI-driven anomaly detection. Recommended for high-voltage transmission in remote or hazardous environments, where detailed data justifies the premium.

   

• These tiers are customizable; for example, adding corrosion detection via specialized sensors might increase the rate by $1–$2 per pole, but bundling services often yields savings.

• Terrain and Location:

  • Urban/Major City: Lower end of the range due to easier access and shorter flight times.

  • Rural/Remote: Higher end to account for travel logistics, extended flight durations, and potential need for ruggedized equipment. However, we optimize by batching inspections in remote areas to distribute costs.

• Project Volume:

  • Small projects (1,000-7,000 poles): Closer to the upper range to cover fixed mobilization costs.

  • Large-scale (10,000+ poles): Discounts built-in, pushing averages toward $4–$8, as economies of scale reduce per-unit expenses.

 

Minimum project fees apply for very small jobs (e.g., $1,000–$2,500) to cover setup, but these are waived for repeat clients or bundled services.

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Information for Electric Utility Professionals

We understand that utility managers scrutinize every dollar against reliability and regulatory demands.

Our pricing is justifiable because:

• Cost Savings vs. Alternatives: Drone inspections eliminate the need for bucket trucks, climbers, or helicopters, which can cost $100–$500/hour plus crew wages. A study by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates drone methods save 50–70% on inspection costs while improving data accuracy

• Value-Added Insights: Beyond raw data, you receive actionable intelligence, such as predictive analytics that prevent outages (potentially saving millions in downtime). For instance, early detection of a single hotspot could avert a $50,000 repair.

• Efficiency and Safety: Inspections are completed 5–10x faster than manual methods, with zero risk to personnel. In remote areas, where access might require days of preparation, our drones cover miles in hours.

• Compliance and Traceability: All data is metadata-rich (geotags, timestamps, sensor logs) and exportable to GIS platforms, ensuring audit-ready reports for FERC or state regulators. Flight logs can provide record of all fights taken during our operations and can be reviewed upon request.

• Proven Track Record: With experience operating in the major metro of  Los Angeles for Edison Electric with Firmatek, to the deep woodlands of  Texas representing MidSouth CO-OP, or in the great rocky mountains of Colorado representing CORE CO-OP. You can trust we are as seasoned as they come when it gets to running inspection operations in tough areas. 

 

In essence, our model is an investment that enhances grid resilience, reduces operational risks, and supports long-term asset management. We are committed to the mission - protect American infrastructure.

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Fast Action Capabilities and Incentives

We pride ourselves on rapid response to keep your grid operational:

• Emergency/Fast Action Pricing: For urgent needs (e.g., post-storm or outage response), we mobilize within 24–48 hours nationwide, with a premium of  20–30% on base rates (e.g., $6–$15 per pole). This covers expedited pilot deployment and priority processing, but it's still far more cost-effective than hiring local contractors on short notice.

• Discounts for Advance Planning: Book inspections 3+ months in advance and receive 10–20% off base rates (e.g., dropping averages to $4–$10 per pole). For 6+ months ahead, enjoy up to 20% savings plus priority scheduling. This rewards proactive utilities, allowing us to optimize routes, bundle projects, and pass efficiencies back to you, perfect for annual compliance cycles or multi-year vegetation management plans.

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