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3D Rendering Pricing Guide

All you need to know about your initial investment for 3D rendering services.

WHAT SHOULD 3D RENDERING AND ARCHITECTURAL VISUALISATION COST?​

Below, we will discuss all the factors that contribute to the pricing of 3D rendering services and why images can range from £50 to £10 000. Due to this, 3D rendering is a very confusing space because it is difficult for clients to understand why there is such a huge price range for an image, in this guide we will explain all the factors that go into costing a 3D project to help clients gain clarity before choosing a company to complete their project may it be for Architectural Visualisation, Interior Visualisation or Product Rendering.

Rose-Gold Kettle 3D Render-Product Rendering

DIFFERENT TYPES OF 3D RENDERING SERVICES​

One of the big factors in working out how much a 3D rendering project will cost is the type of rendering. For example, there is a big difference between rendering a small house compared to a commercial shopping center because clearly, one is a lot more work to detail and model. We offer a range of different 3D Rendering services types at XO3D if you are unfamiliar with any of them check out the pages to learn more.

Interior Rendering
  • Residential interior renderings
    • Bathroom renders
    • Kitchen renders
    • Living room renders
    • Study renders
  • Commercial interior renderings
  • 3D Floor Plans
Architectural Visualisation
Product Rendering
  • Teaser renders
  • Amazon renders
  • Lifestyle renders
  • Exploded renders
Interior Animation
  • Animated interior walkthroughs
  • Interior teaser animations
Architectural Animation and Architectural AR/VR
  • 3D Walkthroughs / Virtual Tours
  • Architectural AR/VR
Product Animation
  • Explainer videos
  • Product feature films
  • Teaser videos
  • Marketing animations
Jewellery Rendering
  • Ecommerce renders
  • Lifestyle renders
Furniture Rendering
  • Ecommerce renders
  • Lifestyle renders
Interactive Content
  • Augmented reality (AR)
  • Virtual Reality (VR)
  • Product Configurators
  • Product Colour Selectors
  • 360 / Turntables
Jewellery Animation
  • Teaser jewellery animations
Furniture Animation
  • Teaser furniture animations
  • Lifestyle animation

DIFFERENT TYPES OF 3D RENDERING SERVICES

Architectural Visualisation

Interior Rendering

  • Residential interior renderings
  • Commercial interior renderings
  • 3D Floor-plans

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TWO MAIN FACTORS THAT AFFECT OF
3D RENDERING PRICES

Firstly, the cost of a 3D rendering project is the expertise required. There are generally four people involved in a 3D rendering project unless one person is proficient in more of the skills required.

  1. Project Manager
  2. 3D Modeller
  3. 3D Artist
  4. Photoshop Artist

The most expensive component above is the 3D Artist as they have the most amount of work to do setting up the scene and generally can cover part 2 and 4 as well, depending on their skill level.

So what is rendering time? Rendering time is the amount of time it takes a computer to create the images. Rendering time is directly related to how good quality the image is, if there is more detail required, that results in more rendering time. Likewise if a larger image resolution is required then that takes more as well. If you don’t understand image resolution check out our guide here. This should be taken into consideration as if you require extremely large detailed images, this will cost more money.

Transform Your Product Marketing Visuals with 3D

ADDRESSING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

To create a 3D Render, a 3D artist needs to:

  1. Read and understand plans.
  2. Understand clients vision.
  3. Create a 3D Model
  4. Set up the lighting
  5. Set up the materials and textures
  6. Set up the camera

For a more detailed read on this check out our Architectural visualisation page.

The most expensive component above is the 3D Artist as they have the most amount of work to do setting up the scene, and generally can cover part 2 and 4 as well, depending on their skill level.

 

The work involved in a 3D render is not as simple as you may think. For example, a skilled 3D artist can create complex scenes very quickly using different industry tools, such as Forest Pack while using library items to scatter trees. On the other hand, a small complex custom model that needs to be made from scratch will take a lot more time.

In many cases using library parts is much faster than custom models of furniture. When it comes to product rendering, usually these take time to model as they need to be created from scratch and detail is a must so that the 3D renders come out in high quality.

 

Finally, when the 3D render has been processed by the computer, the image is taken into a post-production software such as Photoshop and touched up. Some studios do a lot of the work in the 3D render engine before post-production, on the other hand, some studios do a lot of details within the post-production software. A studio could essentially do no post-processing, but the best results require both to get to the higher end results of 3D Rendering. Below is an example of before and after an image of post-production.

 

Below are some of the main factors that effect rendering times significantly:

 

The biggest and most important thing you can do as a client, to reduce rendering times is to give as much detail to the 3D Rendering company as possible. This removes all the confusion. Therefore, allowing the company to get it right first time round and not having to re-render images due to miss communications. Each revision of a render mostly requires us to re-render the image and redo the post-production.

 

Another clear reason an image will take longer to render is how fast the computer is and how efficient the rendering software is. The more powerful the computer the faster it will render. This is why we keep up with new and improving technology at Xo3D to offer the cheapest and most efficient service possible.

 

3D Product Advertising

THE TWO PRICING STRATEGIES FOR 3D
RENDERING COMPANIES

PER IMAGE

You are charged a fixed price image, usually, the price per image is scaled down depending on how many images you require. This type of pricing strategy is the most common and best for smaller projects. For example, a basic residential house exterior rendering may not differ much from project to project, as long as the detail required is not significantly more. It is often that you find companies will charge a higher price for one single image, this is because the scene is set up for render, this takes the time. Once it is set up you can render out multiple cameras, with little work needing changing.

PER PROJECT

Secondly, this pricing strategy works better for much larger scale projects, where there are many images needed. Typically these are more commercial projects and a quote can be customized once all the details are clear with both parties. When looking at these types of projects you should be getting a volume discount on the amount of images and time your project will take. By encompassing all costs within a single quote, clients can confidently anticipate the financial investment required for their creative endeavours and ensuring that clients receive an accurate estimate aligned with their vision.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A £50 IMAGE TO £5000 IMAGE? WHY DO 3D COMPANIES CHARGE MORE?​

Firstly, this is something clients should be aware of, with the ability to get 3D renderings completed all over the world, the cost can fluctuate drastically. For example, using a UK based company or a company in India. The company in India will be able to create the images much cheaper due to fewer regulations and cheaper labour. In contrast, you could also find 3D artists online from the UK that are bedroom warriors. These people do not own the software nor do they have any overheads other than the electricity of their PC.

Often working overseas or with a single 3D artist will cause some major problems. Let’s note a few below:

  • Language barriers
  • Reliability
  • Illegal software
  • Image quality
  • Time zones

These are usually at the lower end of the spectrum and can’t guarantee a good quality image or service.

In contrast, having images created by a 3D studio with a £50-£200 price tag should be taken within the concept and design phase. 3D studios can do images for this price, but the detail will not be what is required for the top end images. What you pay for is what you get. If you wish to try your luck with cheap rendering companies, then beware it may cost you more in the long run.

TIMES WHEN THE CHEAPEST OPTION IS BEST:

  • Time frame is not a concern
  • Quality is not a concern
  • Budget is very tight

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

  • Always check portfolios
    • Does the work look realistic?
    • Does it look like client work?
    • Is all the work consistent quality?
  • Are the details good enough?
  • What are the hidden costs?
    • Do they charge for higher resolution images?
    • Do they charge for more revisions?
  • How long has the company been in business?
  • Do they have a physical address?
  • Do they have a phone number?
  • Do they have any reviews?

 

Secondly, this price range is generally better quality than the tier 1 pricing bracket, this usually represents a better quality experience. Projects in this price bracket are usually outsourced by companies and managed by themselves. They may have a team overseas that speaks the same quality of language as the native company.

This type of pricing is best for the bare bones residential exterior renderings as they can easily be edited quickly in Photoshop by in house 3D artists.

TIMES WHEN LOWER END PRICING OPTION IS THE BEST:

  • Budget is the primary concern.
  • Final quality needs to be good but not amazing.
  • The purpose of the project is for development approvals.
  • When you are a homeowner looking for renovations.

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

  • Always check portfolios
    • Does the work look realistic?
    • Does it look like client work?
    • Is all the work consistent quality?
  • Are the details good enough?
  • What are the hidden costs?
    • Do they charge for higher resolution images?
    • Do they charge for more revisions?
  • How long has the company been in business?
  • Do they have a physical address?
  • Do they have a phone number?
  • Do they have any reviews?
  • Do they offer multiple tears of quality or are they just priced high?

 

Thirdly, this price range is the most used option for architects, designers, developers, and estate agents. Typically working on higher-end homes. Likewise, for a single homeowner, this would be less suitable unless they have a larger than average property. These homeowners may find it difficult to differentiate between tier 2 and 3, the best option really depends on what the desired outcome is, and it is always best to consult a professional 3D rendering company to give you some guidance. They may be able to show you some examples of the results you may receive between the two tiers.

TIMES WHEN MIDDLEWEIGHT PRICING IS THE OPTION IS BEST:

  • You need your images to stand out.
  • For professionals:
    • Architects
    • Designers
    • Developers
    • Estate Agents
    • Marketers
  • The main purpose of the rendering is for sales, designer planning, regulatory approvals or conceptualisation.
  • The price of the images is not in the big picture.

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

  • Does the company have a high quality of work?
  • Are they knowledgeable?
  • Are they professional?
  • Will they offer what they advertise?
  • How long have they been in business?
  • Do they have good reviews?
  • Do they meet competitions render quality?
  • How long will they take?
  • Are they local? A face to face conversation is always the top way of communication.

 

Finally, the highest end of 3D rendering pricing, usual customers include large corporations where top quality is essential. These types of renders are not for general use, they are usually to showcase something BIG such as a highrise development in a city center or a new shopping center. Projects like this have tens of thousands of pounds put into them and a price of the images is a minor cost.

TIMES WHEN HIGH-END PRICING IS THE OPTION IS BEST:

  • You need your images to stand out.
  • You are a top professional and want to work with the best in the industry.
  • Spending thousands of pounds on images is a drop in the ocean.
  • For professionals:
    • Architects
    • Designers
    • Developers
    • Estate Agents
    • Marketers
  • The main purpose of the renderings is for sales, designer planning, regulatory approvals or conceptualisation.
  • This project needs to turn heads and get sales.
  • The price of the images is not in the big picture.

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

  • Do they offer any guarantees associated with their render quality or turn around time?
  • Who are the 3D Rendering companies, previous clients?
    • Top local and international companies.
    • Do they have testimonials or reviews?
    • Can you have direct meetings with them in person?
    • Are they willing to connect you with their previous clients for references?
  • Does the company have a high quality of work?
  • Are they knowledgeable?
  • Are they professional?
  • Will they offer what they advertise?
  • How long have they been in business?
  • Do they have good reviews?
  • Do they meet competitions render quality?
  • How long will they take?
  • Are they local? A face to face conversation is always the top way of communication.

 

Allwood Joinery - Modulite Animation - Floating Shot of Blocks

HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE FOR ANIMATION AND DESIGN WORK?

If you don’t know how much to charge for your creative skills, you’ve come to the right place. The most straightforward way is to calculate the cost of your time, plus overheads, then multiply that by how long it will take you to complete the work. Our animation and design price calculator are built to give artists a starting point and get you thinking about the practicalities of putting a price on your creative services.

Simply enter your figures here to get started!

Alternatively, if you are a business looking to cost an entire project, try out our animation price guide and our packages page.

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