The following post about drone repairs was written in collaboration with Drone Nerds, which is a drone retailer and the largest authorized DJI retailer in the U.S. The company also has a robust repair team.

Drone Nerds has an affiliate agreement with The Drone Girl, meaning The Drone Girl receives a small percentage of revenue from purchases made through links on this page.

Drone owners face a tough decision when their equipment is damaged: is it worth repairing, or should you invest in a brand-new model? Buying a new drone is almost certainly easier than first diagnosing the problem, sending in your drone and waiting out the repair. Plus, there’s not always a guarantee that the repair will be the best option. But at the same time, a drone repair can often save money — at least if done correctly.

Here’s how to evaluate whether a drone repair or replacement is the best choice for you.

How much does a drone repair cost?

Generally speaking, repairs can cost about 30% to 50% of the price of buying the same drone brand-new. That’s just an average, where a more complicated repair might cost more or a simple repair might cost less. And of course, that percentage can also fluctuate based on the age of a drone. For example, a highly-outdated model might have already undergone a steep price cut.

Water damage tends to be the most challenging repair. If your drone has been water damaged, you might anticipate a total loss. Whether from saltwater or freshwater, the risk of long-term corrosion and unpredictable malfunctions may make water-damaged drones highly unreliable even after initial repairs.

In fact, Drone Nerds says its technicians typically recommend against repairs on water-damaged drones due to the high likelihood of future issues emerging, regardless of short-term fixes.

But other repairs are easy. For example, arm replacements and camera swaps tend to be more straightforward and generally yield consistent success rates.

When a drone repair makes sense

Here’s a straightforward way you can know that drone repair is the better option: if the cost of the drone repair amounts to between 50% or even two-thirds of the price of a new model, repairing it is typically the better option.

“Drone repairs are reliable,” said Drone Nerds’ Service Center Manager, Robert Settle.“When the aircraft is fixed, it will work just like new. Plus, you’re protecting your investment by extending its lifespan and maintaining its functionality.” Your repaired drone will always be worth more than one you throw away. You’re getting more for your money by repairing it”.

When to skip the drone repair and buy new

Conversely, that same calculation can also indicate that buying new might be better. If the repair will cost more than 66% of the amount of just buying a new drone outright, you generally should skip the repair.

In short, high repair costs relative to the cost to buy new makes the decision to fix your drone less practical. A reliable service provider should always offer a transparent and honest assessment, ensuring that you understand whether the repair is financially viable. 

What if repair prices balloon unexpectedly?

If the repair price increases unexpectedly, the technician should inform you immediately. With that, they can offer guidance on whether upgrading to a new model or seeking alternative solutions would be wiser. The goal should always be to help you make a cost-effective decision that aligns with your needs.

Using a reputable drone service provider such as Drone Nerds should mitigate the risk of this happening. For example, Drone Nerds gives customers an upfront estimate when they send in their drone. 

That’s a better model in ensuring transparency and allowing you to know the total cost before opting to proceed with repairs.

Warranty considerations: when to use coverage versus paying outright for repairs

You may have an insurance policy or extended warranty coverage for your drone. This might be through a standalone insurance policy you purchased. Sometimes, homeowners or renters insurance can even cover your drone gear. Certain credit cards offer insurance as a benefit for items purchased on that card, like your drone.

If it’s a DJI drone you’ve got, you might have purchased DJI Care. DJI Care is a protection plan that covers damage. It comes with a deductible and limited usage.

In situations like DJI Care, you need to account for that deductible in your final decision-making. If the cost of a repair is equal to or less than the deductible, it’s often smarter to pay for the repair and save your DJI Care for more significant issues. With other policies besides DJI Care, know that filing a claim can sometimes increase your premiums. Filing a claim for a $200 repair might not be worth it if your premiums will increase by more than $200.

By handling minor repairs independently, you can preserve your coverage for major incidents when it’s really needed. Trusted repair experts should help you assess whether using DJI Care, other insurance or paying out of pocket is the better choice for your situation.

What if you want to upgrade your drone?

Given how rapidly drone technology continues to improve, drone repairs might inherently not make sense — even on models that are one or two years old.

DJI drones continue to get more affordable — and new models roll out quickly.

These days, drones like the sub-$200 DJI Neo are capable of filming 4K video. If you’re looking to repair, say, a DJI Mini 4K but it’ll cost $200 to fix it, you might just consider purchasing a brand new DJI Neo instead. The Drone Girl has plenty of guides to finding the best drones. For custom advice,

Drone Nerds has a no-risk policy when it comes to diagnosing your old drone.

“If you want to buy a new drone from us, we won’t charge a diagnosis fee for assessing your old one,” Settle said. “You can send in your drone without worrying about extra costs, and we’ll give you an honest recommendation on whether it’s worth fixing or upgrading.”

This approach gives you the freedom to explore all options without added pressure, whether you’re ready to upgrade or just want to assess your current drone’s condition.

In many cases, repairing a drone can be a smart financial decision, especially if the cost is within reason. However, it’s essential to weigh the costs, consider your protection plan, and think about future needs. 

What to know about Drone Nerds Repair

Drone Nerds is the largest DJI Authorized Service & Repair center in the United States. Engineers are trained to diagnose and repair the entire DJI product line, providing complete confidence in the workmanship and service capabilities.

What happens during a Drone Nerds repair?

Here’s exactly what happens once you’ve shipped your damaged drone to Drone Nerds:

1. Upon receiving your damaged drone in the mail, the team documents its condition with photographs.
2. It then confirms receipt from the customer of exactly what it receives.
3. The drone then enters the assessment queue. (Typically, expect a turnaround time of about three days for technician assessment.)
4. Once a technician performs the assessment, they oversee the entire repair process. They’ll diagnose the drone, let the customer know their diagnosis, and then receive approval (or disapproval) of the repair.
5. Drone Nerds says it typically has repairs complete — and the drones ready for billing and shipping — within 24 hours of approval.

Throughout, customers have direct communication channels—via phone or email—to contact their assigned technician for updates or to provide any necessary information.

“The Drone Nerds team is dedicated to helping customers make the best decisions for their drone’s longevity and performance,” according to a Drone Nerds statement.“Whether looking to repair or upgrade, experts will guide you through every step of the process.”

For more information on what goes into a drone repair, reach out directly to Drone Nerds for advice on maintaining a drone investment and keeping it in the air.

-In collaboration with the Drone NerdsTeam

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