One-person crew, whole business: list, quote and get paid

A solo drone operator books the job, flies it, edits it, invoices it and then chases the invoice. That is five jobs for one person, and only one of them involves flying.

If you work alone with your own kit, you run a freelance crew business as well as doing the craft. Part 3 of our crew series covers how to list, quote, manage holds and keep the paperwork in order. Part 1 covered your portfolio and Part 2 your CV.

Your name or your business

On reCREWt you list once: under your own name or as your business, not both. Choose by what people hire.

• Your name, with a Crew profile, if productions hire you for a role on set: focus puller, gaffer, make-up artist. You usually quote a day rate, plus kit if you bring it.
• Your business, with a Production profile, if clients hire the service or the kit: a drone unit, lighting with an operator, a mobile make-up studio. You usually quote a package.

Still unsure? Think of the last five people who booked you. Did they ask for you by name, or for the service?

If you list a freelance crew business, give it a name that says what you do and use it everywhere: profile, quotes, invoices and email. Your logo should still read at thumbnail size. Register on the Get started page.

A clean quote

We won’t tell you what to charge. A clean quote spells out each line:

• Labour: your day rate and how many hours it covers.
• Kit: a separate line per day.
• Overtime, prep and wrap, travel.
• Consumables: batteries, drives, gels.
• Cancellation and weather: what happens if the shoot moves.
• Payment terms and how long the quote stands.

Keep labour and kit apart even when you are the kit. If a day is cut, both lines move and nobody argues.

Holds and confirms

Terms vary by production, so agree them up front. A common pattern: a first hold gives a client first call on your date, a second hold queues another client, and when the second is ready to book you ask the first to confirm or release. A hold pays nothing; only a confirm does.

Put every hold in writing, keep one calendar, and release dates you know you won’t do.

Paperwork basics

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Check the details with SARS, the SACAA or a registered accountant.

• Provisional tax. SARS treats anyone who earns income other than a salary as a provisional taxpayer, with two payments a year.
• VAT. Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes R2.3 million in 12 months, the threshold since 1 April 2026.
• Drones. For commercial flying, the SACAA lists a remote pilot licence, an operator certificate, registration of the drone and an air service licence among the requirements.
• Invoices. A number, the date, both parties’ details, the work and dates, the amount, payment terms and your bank details. Send it the day you wrap.