Hi guys... I'm about to dedicate my full time at doing architectural renders highly realistic and interiors... so how much would a render like this cost if anyone has an idea? I really don't know what the "regular price" is for something like this or on what points I should take into account when talking about pricing... http://www.cebas.com/images/potd/dailypic_l_1.jpg I know this is top of the line.... but just to get an idea.. thanks guys!!!

For freelance design work, I charge a minimum of $22/per hour. I'm not sure how feasible that is for rendering, given how long complex renders can take (and the fact that they're generally done while you're sleeping, having a coffee, watching movies, etc... or at least they are in my case!), but I do know that in terms of my rates, I'm actually considerably lower than most places in my area, mainly because as an independent contractor working from a home office, I have practically zero overhead. The most important thing is to get good value for your work without making the client raise their eyebrows.

Standard charges are 25 to 30 an hour. That's low end. Actually, I only adhere to that when the client has the money. Mostly I go job by job. And since I do video covers, it's usually on spec and I get a percentage of profits when the film pays out. Now, that 25 to 30 an hour doesn't take into consideration revisions. The client has a right to ask for a certain number of revisions, usually 2 or 3, but realistically until they're satisfied, but contractually, you charge extra for revisions. One thing I would advise you to do is get some sample bid forms and contract forms for graphic work and familiarize yourself with them so you're not lost when it comes up.

ok guys... thanks for the info!! so.. I should tell my client: "look this work took me 10 hours, so it'll be 300" or "a work like this would take me about 10 hours so an estimated price is 300". I'm really new at doing this for money so I have no idea how to do this... thanks again!!!!

Feel your customer out. Find out what they feel is a fair price, negotiate, come to a price that's fair for both of you. Then learn to work fast lol.

Whatever you end up charging, make sure you get everything in writing! Best advice I can give. :) Verbal contracts can come back to bite you in unhappy places.

Are there any professional associations, agencies or institutions in your field you could join, or turn to for advice about this?

Mick.

Message edited on: 01/03/2005 14:44

not really Mick... every architectural job is done by people from spain and europe. (I'm in argentina) ... so I only know what they charge... not actually how they got to that figure.

Always pitch higher price than what you want, then you and the client can negotiate down to what you want to charge. Never ever do a job if the client doesn't have the money to pay you for your work, you'll only get burned. Never tell a client how long the work will take in hours, say it'll take 5-10 business days (or something close to that). Always tell them it'll take more than what it will actually take, when you're done Email them or give them a call, that way they will think that you're a working machine.

Consider the price of your time, overheads (heat,light,insurance etc) and wear on your computer. Then determine a per hour rate. Some people I know use an estimate sheet that covers, set up time to create the project files. input time to load or create the model. operator time for texturing, etc. operator time for test renders. machine time for rendering the project (unattended) paper, ink etc if hard copy is required. burning cd or dvd You might charge $50 per hour for complex work charge $10 for machine time overnight. If you can get a 3d file of the building you are way ahead. In my area an architectural firm would charge about $100 per hour for this sort of work.

I guess I'm a little late, but you might want to go to www.cgarchitect.com and look around.