C-DRONE GUIDE · 19 MAY 2026
Drone photogrammetry: how much does a 3D model cost?
Drone photogrammetry turns a few hundred aerial photos into a measurable 3D model of a building, a monument or an entire site. The buyer's problem: advertised prices vary fourfold for seemingly identical services. Here are the real ranges on the French market in 2026, what explains the gaps, and how to frame your order to pay the right price.
What you are really buying: from point cloud to digital twin
A photogrammetry job has three phases: acquisition (the flight, with a high-overlap shooting plan), processing (several hours of computation to align the photos and rebuild the geometry) and delivery. The deliverable drives the price far more than the flight itself. In order of increasing complexity: the raw point cloud (millions of colourised XYZ points), the textured 3D mesh (the 3D model in the everyday sense, viewable in a browser), the georeferenced model accurate to the centimetre thanks to ground control points, and finally the digital twin — a complete model, periodically updated, used to operate a site.
Always specify the end use: a visualisation for a website tolerates a light mesh, a monument restoration file demands millimetre accuracy on the façades, a digital twin requires formats compatible with your software (OBJ, FBX, IFC, LAS point cloud). The same building can cost €600 or €4,000 depending on the answer to that single question.
Prices observed in 2026, by project type
Ranges collected from French professional operators, excluding key accounts and public procurement:
| Project | Observed price (excl. VAT) | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| House, small building (textured 3D mesh) | €500 to €1,500 | 3 to 5 days |
| Heritage building, church, monument | €1,500 to €8,000 | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Object, statue, artwork (close-range photogrammetry) | €300 to €900 | 2 to 5 days |
| Full site, digital twin (building + surroundings) | €2,000 to €10,000 | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Acquisition only (you process the data) | €450 to €600 per half-day | — |
| Full day of acquisition | €1,300 to €1,700 | — |
Three factors explain most of the spread: the required accuracy (georeferencing with ground control points adds 20 to 30%), geometric complexity (a church spire or ornate façades multiply the shots) and the flight environment — a monument in a city centre requires a specific-category flight with a préfecture declaration, meaning extra lead time and cost.
Photogrammetry or LiDAR: which to choose, and at what price?
The question comes up on every quote. Photogrammetry rebuilds 3D from photos: it excels on textured, well-lit surfaces, produces photo-realistic models, and remains the most economical option. Drone-mounted LiDAR measures distances directly by laser: it partially penetrates vegetation, works on uniform surfaces where photogrammetry fails (smooth renders, monochrome roofs) and is more reliable on complex scenes — but with equipment costing €20,000 to €60,000, the service rarely starts below €1,500 per acquisition day.
Practical rule: for a visual 3D model of a building, an insurance file or heritage communication, photogrammetry is enough nine times out of ten. LiDAR is justified when vegetation hides the subject, when geometric accuracy matters more than visual rendering, or for long linear assets. Many operators now combine both sensors on the same mission, delivering the best of both for a 30 to 50% premium rather than double the price.
Framing your order: the five quote questions
To compare like with like, make every operator answer the same five questions. One: which deliverable exactly — mesh, point cloud, façade orthophotos, and in which formats? Two: what guaranteed accuracy, and how is it verified (GNSS-measured control points, accuracy report attached)? Three: is processing included, and how many correction rounds? Four: who owns the raw data, and how long is it archived? Five: is the flight's regulatory framework priced in — over built-up areas, the prior préfecture declaration requires 10 working days of notice and is usually billed at €80 to €200.
Be wary of quotes that mention neither accuracy nor formats: it is the sign of an operator who delivers whatever the software outputs. Conversely, there is no point paying for certified centimetre accuracy on a model destined for a website. For projects tied to construction or heavy renovation, use cases and prices differ — our guide on photogrammetry and BIM on construction sites covers them, and the drone surveying and photogrammetry page presents the full service.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone 3D model cost?
€500 to €1,500 for a simple building, €1,500 to €8,000 for a monument, and €2,000 to €10,000 for a full-site digital twin. The deliverable and required accuracy drive most of the price.
What accuracy can be achieved?
1 to 3 cm with GNSS-measured ground control points, or with an RTK drone. Without georeferencing, the model is proportionally correct but not precisely positioned in space.
How long does a 3D model take?
Acquisition takes one hour to one day; processing and quality control, 3 days to 3 weeks depending on project size and the level of finish required.
Can a building in a city centre be modelled?
Yes, but the flight then falls under the specific category with a préfecture declaration (10 working days of notice): allow three to four weeks between order and flight.
Should you provide existing plans to the operator?
It is not mandatory, but any available document — architect drawings, old surveys, photos — helps size the flight and check the final model, and usually translates into a tighter quote and a deliverable better matched to your actual need.