Well my background is in mid to large scale construction. So my initial plan is to stop on every large project I see and offer my services. I figure at first I'll start offering inspections of the buildings up high. If I had a dollar for everytime I could have used an eye in the sky I would be very well off. Simple stuff like exterior installation inspections etc. For example I had an awning installed on the side of a building about 150'up a few years ago and the specifications called for a special mounting bracket. I found the brackets in the dumpster a few days later and when I confronted the installer he insisted the manufacturer shipped extra. I had a photographer friend use his high power camera to take a few shots but he couldn't get a good shot. I was the super on the job and I brought the information to my PM who said not to worry about it so I had him sign off on the install and put it to bed. A year later I got a call that the awning had sagged and I needed to inspect. I ended up renting a lift and as I suspected the bracket was never installed. The sub had been paid in full by now and it cost the company $30,000 to reinstall the awnings properly. I was almost fired due to the whole scenario and what saved my *** was the fact I made the PM sign my prints. As the super I had the authority to spend up too $5000 on any sub I felt I needed without authorization. I would have spent $1-$2000 on having a drone pilot inspect for me. Funny because the company would not allow me to buy a $1000 phantom but they would spend $2000 on some pictures.
Anyways sorry for long story but I'd like to start there, but from what I've been reading my inspire 1 with x5 isn't gonna cut it for large area mapping and surveying. I've read something with a high power camera and the ability to carry a Lidar rig would be the best place to start. Big money but the return potential seems much better. My only worry is that I borrow all this money and the work is scarce, then by the time I pay off the loan the equipment would have come down in price substantially.