Frequently Asked Questions

Booking & Scheduling

  • Getting started is easy. Reach out to us through our contact form, email us or call us —we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • For best availability, 3–7 days is ideal. Rush scheduling may be possible depending on weather, location, and workload.

  • No problem—reschedules are allowed with reasonable notice. If we’ve already mobilized (travel time booked, en route, or on-site), travel fees may apply.

Travel Fees

  • Sometimes. Local service (within 25 miles) is included, and beyond that we use a tiered Travel Fee based on distance from our location.

    • 0–25 miles: Free

    • 26–50 miles: $75

    • 51–100 miles: $150

    • 101–250 miles: $400

    • 251–400 miles: $750

    • 400+ miles: $950

  • It depends on distance and routing. If multiple shoots are close together, we often bundle travel. If they’re far apart (ex: different regions of Texas), additional travel fees may apply—especially if it requires multiple driving days or multiple hotel nights.

  • Yes—when overnight travel is required, we price it into the travel fee structure so you don’t have to deal with separate hotel invoices.

  • Yes—larger packages may qualify for waived or reduced travel fees (especially when the work justifies a full day route). We’ll clearly show this on the quote.

    For SFR services, travel fees are waived on orders over $1,600.

Weather, Flight Safety & Reshoots

  • Drone work is always weather-permitting. If conditions are unsafe/illegal to fly (wind, rain, low visibility, temporary restrictions), we’ll delay or reschedule the drone portion while completing any ground-based work that’s possible.

  • Aozora does. Safety and compliance come first, and we follow legal limits, conditions on-site, and manufacturer guidance.

  • Not for weather itself. What’s billable are real costs: travel costs already incurred, and/or return trips if a second attempt is needed.

  • Yes—typically one weather reschedule is included if we can rebook within about 7–10 days (and within a normal service radius). Additional return trips may have a Return Trip / Mobilization fee.

  • Yes—usually we include a short on-site wait (ex: 30–45 minutes). If weather doesn’t improve after that, we’ll either continue with non-drone work or reschedule the flight portion.

  • It happens. Don’t worry! We can deliver ground photo/video first and then add drone media when the flight window opens.

Pricing & Deliverables

  • It depends on the services ordered and the scope and complexity of the project.

    We can deliver finished photos for a typical single-family home, small commercial building and smaller acreage sites within 48–72 hours. Larger properties/commercial work may be 2–4 business days unless rush delivery is requested.

  • Yes—rush options are available for an additional fee when schedule allows.

  • One (1) round of reasonable revisions is usually included (ex: minor color tweaks on a photo or adding a line of text to a video). Major re-edits, style changes, or additional deliverables will typically incur separate fees.

Access, Site Readiness & Client Responsibilities

  • Confirm access (lockbox/gate code), parking notes, and any shoot priorities. For best results: lights on, clutter minimized, pets secured, and anything you don’t want photographed put away.

  • We can often work around it, but delays beyond a short grace period may incur travel fees and we may have to reschedule—especially when a tight schedule is impacted.

Insurance & Compliance

  • Yes—Aozora carries commercial general liability coverage and can provide a certificate of insurance upon request for certain projects.

  • Some locations require LAANC authorization, property permissions, or special coordination. If an area is restricted or a temporary flight restriction appears, we’ll coordinate alternatives or reschedule as needed.

Payments, Deposits & Cancellations

  • Yes—we require a 25% deposit to book services and reserve the time slot.

  • Cancellations with sufficient notice may receive a refund/credit (minus any non-refundable booking costs if applicable, such as travel fees). Same-day cancellations or cancellations after we mobilize may incur fees.

  • Payment is very easy with Aozora. We accept all major credit cards, ACH, PayPal and Venmo.

  • If sales tax applies to certain deliverables/services in your state, it will be clearly shown on the invoice.

Final Delivery

  • Upon final payment you will receive a download link to a folder with all final deliverables, as well any URL links in the case of Matterport and other virtual tours.

  • We keep project archives for a limited period (policy-based). Long-term storage or re-delivery can be provided for a small monthly recurring fee if needed.