Billing Question

[bguz]

I am in the process of writing a proposal for some work and anticipate needing to purchase models of some of the equipement. Do you submit costs for each individually or estimate what might be spent and roll it into your proposal?

 

If you do itemize as a re-imbursable expense, who owns the purchased model?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Ernest Burden III]

I think your second question answers your first.

 

Look at both--the cost of commercial models and your cost to build it.

[bguz]

Thanks Ernest.

That's kind of what I thought, but was somehow trying to justify that if there was an element that the client felt was important to the image and I could buy it for less than it would take me to build it, I am saving them money in the long run.

[Sawyer]

This is how I usually think about it - if I need more people (for example) for an image than I have I usually shell out the cash and just mark it as an expence. But then if a client really needs a certain look or a certain type then I tack that onto the cost of production. Especially if I will not be able to reuse that purchase much.

 

[ October 21, 2003, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Sawyer ]

[Ernest Burden III]

I could buy it for less than it would take me to build it, I am saving them money in the long run.

How about this: you are saving YOU money. If I can model twice as fast as everyone else does that mean I should be paid half? Turn that around and you see that clients should be willing to pay double for the slow guy. You are free to pass savings on to a client but remember that it is not a requirement. This is one way you get a little raise for knowing your business better than you did last year.

[3d-doctor]

for myself any new content i need to model i.e. an ambulance i going scratch build on a upcoming project in november is built into the project fee (as was a couple of dosch cd's for a project over summer). you can never have enough entourage and if it's decent and you've built it yourself sell it on on turbosquid

from my experience clients usually neither want or need the 3d content and don't understand the process of creation of 3d content other than the final output (unless you are making a model for model contract and then you may see you're own work on turbosquid for sale by someone else) so build it into the fee

[mbr]

It really depends on the project. In general, I just assume that I'll need to buy at least a few models for each project.

One of my current projects initially required (or rather, was requested) that the scene be similar to a fall scene. I told them that was fine, but I would have to purchase specific models. Now we are using the models I have, but I will still need to buy one or two and those I will not mention or add a fee for.

 

If it's highly specific, tell them it is and ask for the money. If it is general stuff you use all the time, like a green tree, just assume it's an investment in your business.

 

Pretty much what everyone is saying, I guess.