How a Drone Washing Business Can Get an SBA Loan

There are two budgets in a drone washing business. SkyPSI finances its half in house: the Apellix Power Wash B2 flight kit, training, and front-line support. That is what the monthly program cost covers, and nothing else is financed by SkyPSI.

The other half is yours. The ground rig, trailer, vehicle, water handling, chemicals, consumables, protective equipment, insurance, licenses, marketing, labor, and enough runway to reach your first payments all belong to your business. SkyPSI does not lend against that side, guarantee it, broker it, refer you for a fee, or co-sign it. Operators fund it from savings, a small-business loan, or equipment financing, and the lender makes its own decision.

The planning budget below assumes a cold-water commercial build, Dallas-Fort Worth prices, and a truck or van you already own. It is a planning budget, not a quote. Your real number moves with your build, your market, your insurer, and what you already have in the shop.

The runway lines matter as much as the equipment lines. A lender wants to see that you can operate for a quarter before the receivables catch up.

A 7(a) small loan is one possible route for the whole ground side. A bank makes the loan and the SBA guarantees part of it. Loans run up to $350,000, and the SBA guarantees 85% of loans up to $150,000. The variable-rate cap between $50,001 and $250,000 is prime plus 6.0%, which was 12.75% at the Federal Reserve's 6.75% bank prime rate on August 26, 2026. The FY2026 upfront guaranty fee is 2% of the guaranteed portion on loans up to $150,000; lenders may pass that fee to borrowers. Terms run up to 10 years for equipment and working capital.

SBA does not require collateral up to $50,000. Above that, the lender follows its written collateral policy, but a 7(a) small loan is not declined solely because collateral is inadequate. SBA stopped assigning FICO SBSS scores to 7(a) small loans on March 1, 2026, so the lender applies its own credit policy. Ask each lender about its minimum credit score, cash-flow coverage, equity injection, collateral, fees, and processing timeline.

Illustrative example only, not an offer, a quote, or a prediction: borrowing the full ground side at a 12.75% rate over 10 years is about $1,183 a month. Your rate, term, fee, and approval belong to the lender.

SBA microloans run up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediaries, generally around 8% to 13% with terms up to seven years. They can fit a leaner build or the runway piece. SBA directs borrowers to its approved microlender directory to find an intermediary serving their area.

Equipment financing uses the rig and trailer as collateral through equipment lenders and dealers. Rates, terms, down payment, fees, and closing time vary by lender. Compare the total cost and confirm whether separate working capital still needs funding.

Compare any personal loan, card, online loan, merchant cash advance, or retirement rollover against the full cost, repayment schedule, collateral or guaranty, and downside. Short-term financing that depends on immediate revenue is a poor fit for a startup with commercial receivables.

Have the packet ready before the first meeting. The exact application varies by lender, but a complete file gives the lender what it needs to assess the business and its ability to repay.

• Borrower information, including SBA Form 1919 when required
• A personal financial statement, often SBA Form 413
• Tax returns and other financial records the lender requests
• A resume showing your cleaning, trades, or management experience
• A business plan
• Two to three years of monthly projections
• Vendor quotes for the rig and the trailer
• Proof of any cash injection the lender requires
• Your signed Operator agreement

SkyPSI gives you the signed agreement and the equipment detail the lender asks for. It takes no part in the application, the underwriting, or the decision. Start with SBA Lender Match, talk to two or three participating lenders, and compare what they actually offer.