On average, video production costs between $880 and $1200 nationwide. Video production cost is based on a few factors, including the total runtime of the video, the number of cameras required, location, and graphics.
Many professional videographers don’t offer a standard pricing menu, and instead, consult with clients and then provide a quote based on the requirements, time and labor necessary to complete the video. Working with video production services will elevate the quality of your video to professional status. The videographer may also have some great ideas that you haven’t even thought of! The quality of your video is important, so pull up a chair and let’s chat video production costs.
What’s in this cost guide?
- What affects video production costs?
- Video Production Rates
- How to hire a video production company
- How to Save Money on Video Production
- Benefits of Professional Video Production
What affects video production costs?
As we mentioned, the cost of video production is based on a few factors, including total runtime of the finished video, the number of cameras required, shooting location, and if you’re looking to add graphics. Typically, commercial videographers don’t offer a standard pricing menu. Instead, they consult with clients and then quote a price based on the requirements, time and labor necessary to complete the video to the customer’s satisfaction.
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Time
Some video production companies set their prices based on the runtime of the final video. Other production companies charge an hourly rate for the time it takes for all aspects of a production, including preparation, shooting and editing the video. Here are a few examples from Thumbtack video producers on how runtime affects the total cost of production.
Understanding the services
Pricing for commercial videography covers a number of services. Before entering an agreement with a video production company, make sure you know exactly what you are getting.
For example, package pricing for American Media Professionals of West Palm Beach, Florida, includes on-location time for the shoot, music rights, professional voiceover, editing and uploading to YouTube. All of these services may be additional add-ons at other video production companies, so it’s important to understand what’s included ahead of time.
Location
If the video shoot location is beyond a certain mileage radius, the videographer might add on a travel fee.
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Video Production Rates
Some commercial videographers offer standard packages to keep things simple for clients who may not want a custom production.
For example, Lorray Digital Media of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, offers three standard packages based on finished runtime and shooting time:
| Total Runtime | Shooting Time | Total Cost |
|---|
| 1 minute | 2 hours | $499 |
| 2 minutes | 5 hours | $599 |
| 4 minutes | 8 hours | $699 |
All of these packages include full editing services, basic motion graphics, concept video treatment and script, professional voiceover, on-location up to 100 miles or in-studio shoot, royalty-free soundtrack and video formatting to prepare for upload.
As another example, ISDesigns Studio of Berkeley, California, offers a few different hourly rates and day-rate packages for their clients:
- Starting base rate for jobs with one camera, one shooter, existing light and no set dressing: $250
- Pre-production and post-production, graphics work and all other production time: $50/hour
- Four-hour package for mobile on-location or in-studio productions, including one shooter, two HD cameras, a basic mic and sound setup, a lighting kit with a backdrop and green screen setups: $300
- Eight-hour package for mobile on-location or in-studio productions, including one shooter, two HD cameras, a basic mic and sound setup, a lighting kit with a backdrop and green screen setups: $500
Additional time is billed at the hourly rate of $50/hour.
How to hire a video production company
There are a few steps you can take to aid in your decision making and to ensure that you hire a video production company who will be the right fit for you or your small business:
- Ask for reviews: Reviews from other satisfied clients are crucial in your decision-making process, so seek them out online or ask the video production company for testimonials.
- Schedule a consultation: Since many commercial videographers don’t offer a standard pricing menu, they will typically consult with clients and then quote a price based on the requirements, time and labor necessary to complete the video to the customer’s satisfaction.
- Determine your budget: Figure out how much you have to spend on professional video production. Aligning in the upfront about your budget will save you both time and energy in the long run.
- Figure out your needs: What is the subject matter? Is your video for personal use, a marketing video, or a corporate video? Will you need to shoot in multiple locations? Will you require b-roll footage? Whichever the video type, knowing exactly what your needs are before scheduling your consultation will help the process go smoothly.
How to Save Money on Video Production
Video costs aren't cheap, so here are a few ways you can save a little extra cash and keep the production low-cost:
- Time is money: Train your on-screen talent in advance so you don’t waste time with the videographer. Make sure the talent knows their lines and cues before shooting with the video production crew.
- Schedule a pre-production meeting: The day before the shoot, schedule a pre-production phone call or meeting to ensure that everyone on the crew and talent is on the same page. This will ensure that all expectations will be met on both sides of the partnership.
- Upload the video yourself: If you can upload the video yourself, don’t pay to have it done for you. Win-win!
- Buy a package: If you know that your video project is going to require a lengthy shoot, need mics/lighting, etc., look into the package options that the video production company offers. It may end up saving you some serious dough!
- Shoot locally: To avoid additional travel fees, plan to do some location scouting so you can choose a shooting location within the production company’s mileage radius.
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Benefits of Professional Video Production
When you hire a high-quality video production company, you’re paying for the skill of their crew members, the video producers, their equipment, and their professional know-how in the industry. A lot of time, equipment and labor goes into producing a top-notch video, and it pays to hire a professional videographer to create the best final product possible for your video needs.
A professional video production company will bring years of video-making experience to create the right video for your needs. A seasoned production company will also use the right lighting, props, shooting equipment, and graphics to ensure that the highest quality video is produced for you and your small business. Yes, a professionally-produced video will be more expensive but the production value of the project will end up exponentially greater. The end goal, of course, is presenting your brand in the ideal light, and professional video companies have years of video-making experience doing just that.
Whether you're hoping to share your company's professionally-produced video on social media or your website landing page, or simply hoping for a high-quality video asset for your own personal use, you certainly won't be disappointed with the final product when working with a professional video production company.
FAQs
How much does video production cost? The average cost of video production today costs between $500 and $3,000 depending on length and quality. We can start by breaking down the cost of video production per minute. Assuming that the shortest video is one minute, this video can cost as little as $500.
How much should I charge for producing a video? ›
In the beginning, you can charge a day rate for the time on set. Then, as part of that commitment, you will edit the video within one week of turnaround time. A great starting point for your day rate is $150/day. Videography is a specialized skill, so $150/day comes out to $18.75/hour.
How much does it cost to produce a 3 minute video? ›
A produced 2 to 3-minute video can cost $2,000 to $7,000. The average cost of video production is between $1,000 and $5,000 for each finished minute. It's extremely pricey because you're paying for the entire production team.
What is the average cost of commercial video production? ›
Most production companies agree that the average cost of product video production for a commercial is usually around $8,000 for a startup and $15,000 for an enterprise, and we agree that it is a good starting point to consider when budgeting.
What is the average cost of production? ›
The average cost of production is defined as the total cost of production per unit produced. In simple words, average cost comes when the total cost of production is divided by the number of product units produced.
What is the average cost at the production? ›
The average cost refers to the total cost of production divided by the number of units produced. It can also be obtained by summing the average variable costs and the average fixed costs.
How much do video editors charge in 2023? ›
According to the data above, a video editor's hourly rate will range between 25 USD and 45 USD for a beginner, 55 USD to 80 USD for an advanced video editor, and between 80 USD and 100 USD for an expert.
How much does a 30 second video production cost? ›
How much should I charge for freelance video production? ›
Well, the average hourly rate for a freelance videographer for eTown Videos is around $75 to $125, while the average day rate is around $600 to $1000, depending on the experience of the videographer and the camera gear used.
How much does a 1 hour video take? ›
Common Video Sizes
| Common Name | Pixel Size | File Size for 1 hour of video |
|---|
| 1080p | 1920 x 1080 | 1.2 – 1.4GB |
| 2K | 2048 x 1080 | 2.8 – 3GB |
| 4K | 3840 x 2160 | 20 – 22GB |
| 8K | 7680 x 4320 | 36 – 38GB |
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Depending on the type of video, pricing generally ranges anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 per finished minute. It's better to refer to averages when creating your budget, so a safe estimate for 5-minute videos would be $3,000 per finished minute.
What is a good profit margin for video production? ›
On top of that, you're giving your colleagues and contractors much-appreciated business. You need to consider the work it takes to assemble that team of creatives. You do this by factoring in a 30 percent-60 percent profit margin on top of your contractors' fees.
What is the markup on video production? ›
Every video production company also has to make a profit. Most production companies typically add a 15% to a 30% markup on these costs and you should also account for that in the total cost of your video budget.
What are industry standard rates for video editing? ›
Depending upon the region you are located in and the level of experience of the video editor, professional video editing rates range between $75 to $150/hr.
How to calculate production cost? ›
To qualify as a production cost, an expense must be directly connected to generating revenue for the company. Total product costs can be determined by adding together the total direct materials and labor costs as well as the total manufacturing overhead costs.
What is an example of average cost of production? ›
Therefore, average Cost is also often called the total cost per unit or the average total cost. For example, if a company produces 1,000 widgets at a total cost of $10,000, the average cost per widget would be $10 ($10,000 ÷ 1,000 widgets).
What is the formula for cost of production? ›
It consists of three main expenses: raw materials, direct labor, and overhead. These costs may be fixed (most overhead) or variable (raw materials and labor). The total product cost formula is Total Product Cost = Cost of Raw Materials + Cost of Direct Labor + Cost of Overhead.
What are the 4 types of cost of production? ›
Five types of production costs
- Fixed costs. Fixed costs (also referred to as overhead or indirect costs) remain the same, regardless of how many products or services a business produces. ...
- Variable costs. ...
- Total cost. ...
- Average cost. ...
- Marginal cost.
Demand for Video Content
online videos had a 92% audience reach among internet users globally in 2021. 96% of video marketers find online videos effective and plan to continue investing in video content in 2023. And since video is everywhere now, so is video editing.
Is video editing a good career in 2023? ›
The answer is yes—usually. Most editing work and communication with clients can be done from home, as long as you have the right software.
As a rule of thumb, expect 30 minutes to an hour of editing time for each minute of finished video.
How much does a 90 second video cost? ›
Most of the animation companies will charge you in a range of $10,000 to $15,000 for an explainer video of 90 seconds. Some will charge you $6,000 to $10,000 and others $15,000 to $25,000. In some cases, you might be asked to pay above or under these rates. There is no fixed price for this.
What is the most expensive phase of video production? ›
The production phase of video production is when the video is actually filmed. This is usually the longest and most expensive phase of production, as it involves renting or buying equipment like lightning and sound, hiring a crew, and securing locations.
How much does 1 second of animation cost? ›
A particular studio may charge only $1,000 per minute of animation, but you can also get the higher-end choice that costs around $30,000 per second.
How long does it take to edit a 5 minute video? ›
For simple output, which usually involves trimming and syncing audio, it takes an editor between one and two hours to clean up and edit a five-minute video. However, a five-minute video with more complex needs can average between three and five days.
What is the hourly rate for a producer? ›
The average hourly wage for a Producer in the United States is $30 as of May 01, 2023, but the range typically falls between $26 and $34. Hourly rate can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
How much is a video production retainer? ›
Retainer pricing for photo and video production starts in the $6k - $8k range and can be scaled up to $20k+ per month, depending on how much work you need to produce.
How much does a 1 minute professional video cost? ›
For introductory videos, such as testimonials or interviews, a 1-minute video could cost between $2,000-$3,000. This cost covers the pre-production planning, filming, editing and post production work that goes into creating a professional video.
How much does it cost to produce a 5 minute video? ›
5-Minute Video Cost. Depending on the type of video, pricing generally ranges anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 per finished minute. It's better to refer to averages when creating your budget, so a safe estimate for 5-minute videos would be $3,000 per finished minute.
How much does a 10 minute video cost? ›
To accurately determine a 10 minute video cost will include the production company working closely with the client to determine an estimated budget for each aspect of the production. As a general rule of thumb, the average video production costs range between $1500 and $10,000 per finished minute.
