3D rendering is rapidly becoming an integral part of product creation. Getting a 3D render of an architectural project is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and save money in the long run. Most architects now include 3D renderings in their projects so that their customers can better visualize what the finished product will look like.
3D architectural rendering services are used for various purposes, but clients want to know one specific thing up front—how much will the render cost?
The cost of a 3D rendering varies based on the complexity of what you want and the industry it is done for. A fully animated render of an architectural building could cost up to $7,000. A more humble still of a particular room could cost you less than $250.
To understand what a 3D rendering or visualization is worth, let’s look at what is available in the industry and how much these things run.
Table of contents
RELATED: Top 6 architectural visualization and 3D rendering trends for your company to follow
Types of architectural renderings
While all 3D architectural rendering involves some aspect of the building, different renderings do different things. An animated tour of a building allows you to see the site from many angles and may even offer a tour inside and out. A still image is just that—essentially a photograph of what a particular area might look like.
Renders aren’t just going to be animations vs. stills; they’re also going to vary by quality and visualization techniques. A good quality render makes you feel like you are there, sitting by the pool of your fancy new apartment building. A poor-quality render will have fewer details and look less like a photograph and more like a drawing.
How much detail, the skill of the renderer, and the rendering all play a part in how much the render will cost. Labor skyrockets with more detailed images and 3D architectural animation services will always be more labor intensive than even the most spectacular still. These are all things to keep in mind when contracting 3D rendering services.
RELATED: Is 3D modeling and rendering the future for architectural design firms?
Breaking down pricing
When you ask for a price from your architectural rendering expert, they usually want to know about your render in exact detail. This is because it is impossible to give an exact price without knowing what is involved in the task.
You wouldn’t ask for a price on a cake without letting a baker know the size and scope of the work. In the same way, you can’t ask for the cost of the render without sharing significant details of what is involved.
The pricing breaks down with the size of the work. A simple 2D black and white floor plan could cost as little as $20 if it is for a small residential building. Those prices can skyrocket to as much as $200, depending on the building size and the work involved.
The price difference isn’t just between a single-family home and a mega-resort. It’s also based on how much detail the customer supplies. You can help lower the prices by providing very detailed files that give the renderer all the information they need the first time. The more times a renderer has to make corrections or spend time looking for information, the greater the costs.
What can impact 3D architectural rendering costs
Deadlines
If you’re in a major rush for your render, it will cost you. Staying late to complete a project means paying for overtime and the strain of a large workload that must be finished quickly.
Expect prices to go up the faster you need it done and the quality of the render to go down. You can’t get the same level of beauty and detail in a short amount of time as you can when you have a reasonable timeframe to finish the work.
Size of the files
If you need a detailed rendering for a huge image, such as one used in advertising, it will take longer to render. It will also need a costly, very high-powered computer to run. This will have to be factored into the pricing as well.
The experience of the artist
There’s no point in paying for the work of someone whose skill level is on par with yours. After all, if you could do something similar experimenting with 3D rendering software, there is no point in buying it.
Yet many people, in the interest of saving money, choose relatively new renderers who may be unable to create the same artistry you hope for. The experience costs money, and that will be reflected in the price.
Key things to remember when asking for pricing
If your 3D renderer offers a flat fee across the board, be wary of them. The industry does not currently have standard pricing, and we have already discussed how much the workload ranges.
You don’t want to pay a flat fee of $200 for a 2D blueprint that should have cost you $50, and you may regret spending $1,000 for a render that ends up being a stock image.
In general, if the pricing on a render seems too good to be true, it probably is. The intense competition in the rendering market has led some companies to make it their business to cheat clients. To keep your money safe, you always need to be on guard.
If someone’s price is very low, ask questions. Dig deeper. When hundreds or thousands of dollars are on the line, it pays to take the time for extra research.
RELATED: Learn about the types of architectural rendering services available for your company
How Much Can You Expect to Spend?
Knowing to be weary of a low price doesn’t do any good if you’re not sure what a low price is for what you want. With pricing running anywhere from $20-$7,000, depending on what you want, it can also be hard to tell whether someone’s prices are highly inflated.
Let’s take a look at the types of rendering available and their price ranges:
Exterior – Residential: $200-$700
An exterior residential rendering covers the outside of a home. On the low end of the spectrum is a still of the outside, in relatively simple detail. It still gets the idea across but may not be as visually stunning as you hope. On the high end of the spectrum, expect a vivid, photographic rendering and perhaps an animated tour of the outside of the home.
Exterior – Commercial (Small): $350-$700
Any small commercial shops will fall into this category. Individual shops, drive-through coffee stands, and small restaurants might be good examples of this.
Exterior – Commercial (Large): $700-$2000
Your work will fall into this category if you have a big project, such as a stunning resort, a theme park, or a large office building. 3D commercial rendering services can help clients work on larger projects with confidence.
Interior – Residential: $200-$550
If your customer is remodeling their kitchen or wants to see what it will look like if they remove a wall separating their dining room from their living room, 3D interior visualization services can provide great visuals. A simple rendering will cost about $200, with the price increasing the more complex it gets.
Interior – Commercial: $275-$1000
Want to show your client what a room might look like inside that hotel? A rendering is a practical way to showcase what you plan to build before you build it. Once again, the prices vary depending on the interior’s complexity.
3D floor plans: $50-$450
2D floor plans typically have a lot less detail, and thus, the prices tend to be lower. While it may cost a lot for very complex 3D floor plans, 3D floor plan rendering services are available to assist with 3D floor plans.
2D colored floor plans: $35-$350
Flat floor plans are even more straightforward than 3D ones, so the price is typically less than 3D plans. Once again, the price can vary widely depending on the documents you deliver.
2D black and white floor plans: $20-$200
Of the 2D drawings and floor plan design services offered, the most cost-effective of all these renders are 2D black and white floor plans.
The bottom line for pricing is that you can have a big hand in how much you spend. While price shopping may help you find someone who charges less overall, you can help reduce costs by ensuring your documents are in order and that you are confident of your decisions. The clearer you communicate with your renderer, the fewer mistakes will be made, and the lower the overall price will be.
If you’re unsure what the price is for your project, have a clear idea of what you want so the renderer can give you the most accurate quote.
RELATED: 13 steps for outsourcing 3D architectural rendering with companies & 3D artists
Cad Crowd Has Freelance 3D Architectural Rendering Experts
Cad Crowd has a database of thousands of vetted and experienced 3D architectural rendering experts worldwide who can provide you with high-quality 3D exterior rendering services and 3D interior rendering services. Because our professionals are freelancers, you don’t need to pay the overhead costs of a regular design agency. This can significantly lower the final price of your rendering project. Learn how it works.
If you’re looking for multiple design concepts, launching a design contest can help you with that. Find out how to launch a design contest in as little as 15 minutes.
