What drone security costs.
Drone surveillance prices from 911 Sentinel, Washington's statewide guard contract and a drone maker's own page, set against guard coverage around the clock.
How much does drone security cost?
On Washington's state guard contract, the only drone surveillance line is $97.68 an hour, about $23,770 a month for 8 hours a night. 911 Sentinel drone surveillance starts at $6,000 a month, with scheduled sweeps flown by FAA-certified pilots. One unarmed Seattle guard around the clock costs about $28,140 a month.
Acres covered from the air
911 Sentinel drone surveillance starts at $6,000 a month, less than one Seattle guard 8 hours a night (about $9,380). FAA-certified pilots fly scheduled sweeps over the flight areas we plan at the site walk, warn by spotlight and recorded voice from the air, and report every issue to your team and the police. Nobody from 911 Sentinel approaches anyone, and every flight is on video.
What do drone security services charge?
| Option | What it is | Published price | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 911 Sentinel drone surveillance | Scheduled sweeps flown by FAA-certified pilots, with spotlight and recorded warnings from the air | From $6,000/mo | Monthly; flight areas set at the site walk |
| Koch Security Group (state contract) | Drone surveillance in the counties it covers, among them Skagit, Whatcom and Grays Harbor | $97.68/hr, about $23,770/mo for 8 hours a night | Per hour |
| Sunflower Labs | A drone system installed on the property | Operating cost $4–$7/hr after installation | System priced per property; delivery and installation in 8–12 weeks |
Monthly figures are the hourly rate times the hours, times 365 days, divided by 12, rounded to the nearest $10. Sunflower Labs publishes its operating cost; the system itself is priced per property.
Drones against guard coverage
A drone earns its price on sites a guard can't cover from one post. This is one unarmed guard at each area's median rate on the state contract.
| Area | Guard, 8 hours a night | Guard, around the clock | 911 Sentinel drone surveillance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle (city limits) | $9,380 | $28,140 | From $6,000 |
| King County | $9,390 | $28,170 | From $6,000 |
| Snohomish County | $9,020 | $27,050 | From $6,000 |
| Pierce County | $8,890 | $26,670 | From $6,000 |
| Tacoma (city limits) | $8,890 | $26,670 | From $6,000 |
| Kitsap County | $8,890 | $26,670 | From $6,000 |
| Thurston County | $8,660 | $25,970 | From $6,000 |
Monthly figures are the hourly rate times the hours, times 365 days, divided by 12, rounded to the nearest $10.
What sets the price of drone coverage?
- Acreage: how much ground the sweeps cover.
- Flight areas: which yards, lots and perimeters get flown, planned at the site walk.
- Sweeps per night: how often the pilots fly through your window.
- What it pairs with: drone surveillance pairs with camera monitoring or a vehicle patrol for the time between sweeps.
Where a drone is the right buy
- Large-acreage sites a guard on foot can't cover.
- Open yards and long perimeters too big to wire with cameras.
- Construction projects whose layout changes month to month.
- Every flight is on video, and every issue goes to your team and the police; 911 right away in an emergency.
Common questions
How much does drone security cost per month?
911 Sentinel drone surveillance starts at $6,000 a month for scheduled sweeps by FAA-certified pilots. On Washington's statewide guard contract, Koch Security Group bills drone surveillance at $97.68 an hour, about $23,770 a month for 8 hours a night.
Is drone security cheaper than a security guard?
Yes, on a large site. 911 Sentinel drone surveillance starts at $6,000 a month, against about $9,380 a month for one unarmed guard 8 hours a night in Seattle, and about $28,140 around the clock, at the median state contract rate.
Who flies 911 Sentinel's security drones?
FAA-certified pilots fly every flight, on scheduled sweeps over flight areas planned at the site assessment.
Get a free site assessment
We reply the same day, walk your property with you, and send a written plan with a firm price after the walk.
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