Cost Estimate Question, with some unknowns....

[danb4026]

I am pricing out renderings for a fairly large, ultra-high-end condo development. The apartments are going to range from $10M to 60+M. The renderings are needed quickly, but as of now I do not have elevations in my hands, just floor plans. I need to get them an estimate before actually having elevations in hand.

 

A couple of question regarding estimating:

 

-Lobby is to have one shot with doorman and one without doorman:

• assuming $2K for initial image and they are the same image and simply deleting the doorman, what would you charge for the 2nd image? $0, because of the simplicity? Or do you charge a fee simply because it is an extra deliverable? Typically I would charge for 1 hour's worth of work for image 2.
  

-Interiors include a:

 

• living room
  
• dining room
  
• kitchen
  
• master bath
  
• power room
  
• exterior terrace
  
• penthouse to terrace view
  

Given the lack of current information available, do you have a standard price structure for the various rooms (example; perhaps price a living room 20% more than kitchen, a master bath 100% more than a powder room, etc)?

 

 

I need to come up with something quickly and would like to get feedback from others as to their customary charges.

[Corey Beaulieu]

Not that I am pricing all that often, but I usually have an hourly rate in mind and make an assessment on the number of hours that I believe it will take. Then i give them a flat number based on that with the statement that the number is for very specific deliverables, i.e. 1 mid review and then a final, or something along those lines.

 

As to your lobby shot, I would up charge a little for the render and then give both for the one price. It won't be more work, will be more money, and it will seem like a favor.

[danb4026]

Corey, thanks for the input. That is a good idea as far as the lobby. Will take your advice there.

 

Problem with the hourly rate is that I have few , if no, details regarding complexity of design. A $30M apartment is going to have some complexities to it, so I have to cover my ass. Without knowing the hours I am going to put in to each image, would one typically charge 20% more or less for a living room compared to a kitchen? Or should I just price all interior shots the same rate?

 

Basically, my structure would be (based on a hypothetical $1800 interior living room render):

 

- living room $1800

- dining room $1800

- kitchen $2000

- Master Bath $1800

- Power Room $1250

 

I base these numbers on my general rule of thumb for time room by room. Any insight?

[Nic H]

i would maybe think about standardising your image price to one fixed cost - then include the very simple variations for free

that way you can make a litte more on the easy images and spend a bit longer on the more difficult ones. i dont see a burning reason why a powder room would be cheaper than a kitchen really. it makes it easier for the client to understand costing and if they say it is too expensive you could give them 10% or so off the overall price if they commission more images.

 

the only image type that i would charge more for is masterplan scale type aerial shots. sometimes there is an awful lot of modelling and content to do depending on the architectural detail. or some crazy russian ballroom with specific non commercially available furniture.

 

however if that works for you and you get paid at the end it is all fine.

[heni30]

I would ask for more info. They've got to have some elevations somewhere, even if they are still being developed, that they can send you or that you can ask for from the architect.