Searching for drone repairs near me usually starts after a hard landing, a tree, a swim in a dam or a gimbal that suddenly shakes. Many faults can be fixed: broken arms, worn motors, gimbal and camera damage, cracked shells, controller problems and calibration errors. Some cannot, and a good repairer tells you honestly when a repair costs more than the drone is worth. Send one request and independent drone repairers in your area quote you directly, usually after an assessment. It is free and there is no obligation.
Common drone faults
- Gimbal and camera: shaking video, a tilted horizon, a gimbal error or no picture, often a ribbon cable or gimbal motor. See drone cameras and gimbals.
- Arms, shell and landing gear: cracked or snapped after a crash.
- Motors and propellers: grinding, overheating or a motor that will not spin up.
- Water damage: switch the drone off, take the battery out and do not power it on again until it has been opened and dried.
- Compass, sensors and firmware: drifting, warnings at take-off or failed updates.
- Batteries and controllers: packs that will not charge, sticks that stick, a lost link. Faulty packs are replaced, not repaired; see drone batteries.
How a drone repair usually works
Most repairers start with an assessment. You drop the drone off or courier it, the repairer opens it, finds the fault and sends a written quote for parts and labour. A diagnostic or service fee of about R500 to R1,500 is common, and some repairers credit it against the repair if you go ahead. Ask how long the drone will be away, whether original or compatible parts will be used and whether the drone is test flown and calibrated afterwards.
Before you send it in
Check whether the maker's warranty or a care plan still covers the drone: an independent repair may affect that, so read the terms first. If the drone is insured, ask your insurer whether they need a repair report. Copy your photos and videos off the memory card and remove the card. Send the controller and a battery with the drone if the repairer asks, because some faults only show up with the full set. Pilots who fly commercially should keep the repair report for their maintenance records.
Comparing repair quotes
Repairs are quoted after assessment because two drones with the same symptom can have very different faults. Compare the diagnostic fee, what it covers, the parts named, labour, return courier and the warranty on the repair. If the total comes close to the price of a replacement, ask whether a newer or second-hand drone is the better use of the money.
What to include in your request
- The drone model and how old it is
- What happened and what the fault looks like
- Whether it is under warranty or insured
- Drop-off, collection or courier
- How soon you need the drone back
Drone Repairs for different clients
- Hobbyists and families: a broken arm or shaking gimbal fixed after a holiday crash into a tree
- Farmers and growers: a work drone serviced after a season of dust, heat and long flights
- Estate agents and developers: a quick gimbal repair so listing shoots can carry on this week
- Builders, engineers and installers: a survey drone checked and calibrated after a hard landing on site
- Mines, plants and utilities: a scheduled service and a written repair report for each inspection drone
- Photographers, film crews and agencies: fast turnaround on a gimbal fault between film and wedding bookings
- Security companies and estates: patrol drones repaired and test flown so the fleet stays ready
- Municipalities, schools and NGOs: repairs for training and rescue drones that fly in rough conditions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone repair cost?
Is it worth fixing a crashed drone?
What should I do if my drone fell in water?
Do you repair drones yourselves?
Drone Repairs by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg