Sketchrender Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Dear All I am part of the Fumbally Exchange in Dublin, (look it up) a creative hub so to speak a mixture of architects artists and engineers and photographers ect.... I sent out a small questionsaire to some my architectural friends ie those who are still out there trying to get work in and making the best of a bad situation. I asked if they were getting 3D work done, if so by who and for how much. Interesting replies so far in that most of the work is going out of the country, as it is cheaper. Also they are doing most of their modeling themselves in Sketchup and rarely do any high end renders. The interesting part is the price average €30-€35 an hour. So I have to say demoralized as i am about this, I think this is the way things are going here for the short term anyway. I may be way behind on the game here, let me know if I am please. So whats your opinion on all this ? Regards phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Hi Phil I just read you post even though it was 2 months ago. The results of that survey is really interesting. I was think of doing the same. But the only problem is that most of the architects I know are out of work. I have found a lot of people are now doing their own 3Ds in sketchup. I think a lot of it is they have time on their hands now to sit down and learn it. The price you mentioned of 30 - 35 an hour. Is that what they are being charged? As you probably know yourself I am finding people just beating down the rates. Thanks for giving us the feedback. Any way we can get this group to Automatically e-mail us when there is a post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 Hi Part 1 First off thank you for the private message, it has been a tough year. In relation to the state of play. I have since lowered my rates to €20-€25 no choice really, I want to stay in business. I am in a community office situation in Dublin city centre ( fumbally Exchange), and am lucky to know a few architects. Yes most are using sketchup to model their own work. Some to a very good standard others not so. A lot of people are not aware that max can take in Sketchup nativly now and with vary or MR can produce some excellent Images. There are bits and pieces floating around but not much to be honest. We are finding the office I am in which is a mixture of graphic designers, architects, furniture makers ect, all are out finding work and cutting prices to get the job. Take care Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 Part 2 This 1000 charaters is a killer. Something else i wanted to write in. Some are going out finding land that is for available finding a need in the area,putting feasability studies together, and approaching clients with the study for free, and some have run with it and thats how they are getting work. Local councills may have projects ideas on the back burner for years and if someone can broach the project make it feasable and affordable they may seriuosly consider it. I would love some feed back on what other people are finding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Part 1 Hi Philip I have lowered my rates to the same. At the moment €20 is my very bottom. I'm refusing to go below that. I reckon if I go below it it's a race to the bottom plus we have invested a lot of time and money and we need to get a wage out of it. I tendered for a job a few months ago. I didn't get it and I had a chat to the Architect afterwards. He said he had 3 quotes. Mine and another person were in about the same price. Another person he said was well below. But the client just wanted the lowest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Part 2 I have found a lot of people using sketchup and say they are happy with it's output. I do feel that people just don't want ot pay for decent renderings. Others don't see the need. I try to push with them the fact that 3D is not just pretty images it has a design use as well. It help to catch issues at the design stage before going on site. We need to come up with a way of marketing our trade. So people can say that service would be very handy. I believe there is work out there we just have to find it. It's all about letting people know we are there and there is value in what we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 Well I don't know what has happened in the last few weeks but i am very busy. Things have picked up a lot and i am busy for the coming 3 weeks minimium. It seems that all the 3D guys were let go from big companies and now they need work done at a low price but fast also, thats the only down side. Deadlines are coming fast and furious i have found. But the quality I am broducing would be higher than some of the inhouse guys used to produce. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 That's interesting. I definitely sense a bit of a pick up. I am getting a lot of queries. Hopefully it will turn into work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Clancy Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Hi guys, I'm a new user to the group. It's now coming to the end of may and I'd like to know how you guys are getting on. I've had maybe 5 projects in this year and times are tough. The majority of my old clients are out of business or don't have the budget for my services even though, like you guys, I have dropped my rates to the €20 - 25 range. And I'm still using my Viz 2008 license. I know, right? Anyways, any advice from my peers in the industry would be very much appreciated. Or even tales of woe so I won't feel so alone :(:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 Conor Welcome and thank you for joining the group. I am in business one year a month ago. I have found the year ok , not fantiastic work wise, but I did the maths last year and I worked out what I would need to get through the year, and I just about made it. So over all not great, but like you, I am charging the minium and getting work in on that. All by word of mouth I would like to add. The website has only served as an on line portfolio. Clients just look at it and ring. Time are not getting any better, all speculative projects vert little going to site. From Small extensions to massive masterplan, but saying that i have been very lucky. The next few months will be slow I think, I get the feeling from the Architects around me that a lot has gone for planning and now they are either waiting or clients are trying to find money to go ahead with it. So does anybody else want to ping in and give their opinion on the year that has been ? Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Welcome to the group Conor. Your not alone. This is what we need more people and more discussion. Its not good to hear other people are finding it tough, but it does make me feel that I'm not the only one. This year has been very slow. I have a couple of jobs on at the moment. One of them is quite large but that means I won't get paid for a while. The problem is trying to get the flow of work needed to keep paying the bills. One thing we should do with this group is help each other out. I have a lot of software down here including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Revit Architecture, MicroStation. If anybody needs stuff converted, or done in any of these products I'll be more then willing to help out. Just drop me an e-mail. A few months ago I did get a sense of a pick up as I was getting a lot of inquiries. I think that was premature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Ya I have to agree,I have a great deal of software too. I just invested in The Building premium suite, so I will learning revit soon, to get into that side of work. I would also like to offer any help ect to anybody in Ireland who needs help, and that relates to models textures set ups , ect I am a vray user, and max 2011,+2012 when i get the finger out to load it up. So just ask. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Clancy Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 All my stuff is out of date, I still have adobes big CS3 box with everything in it, but that's what, 3 versions old? I'm still using Viz 2008, although, I have messed around with copies of more recent maxes but obviously my license disallows me to use them professionally at this time. I have Vray 1.5, I actually don't know if that's the most recent version because I have found that Mental ray is much easier to use and quicker in what I have been doing the last couple of years. You know there is work out there, not a lot, but it's there. Most of my old team are still unemployed so if I get something in I cannot handle myself, I have the advantage of having a couple of guys I can farm stuff out to. I'm sure a lot of you guys have the same, but if not, and you have a project you need a hand with maybe we can pool our resources here? We are all in the same boat after all floating on the same river of human waste with no form of propulsion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I'm still using a lot of old software myself. My Adobe is CS3. I also use mental ray, I came from the old Viz Render and I have never needed to change from Mental ray. Its good to be in touch with other freelancers. Because if that big job ever does come my way, at least I know a couple of people I call in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dande Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Conor you should try and get those lads on this forum so we can build up a wealth of people with different skills and experience. This would be a great place to share ideas and work. If any big jobs do appear that are too big for one person, if people are available we could put a joint tender together, and compete with the big boys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 Good idea An aniamtion came up recently to price and said no to it, as I don't generaly do them, I don't find them cost efficient at all to do. but if i know there are more out there to pass it on to i would . phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Clancy Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 2 of my guys went back to Slovakia, but are still available, and one other is still around. I'll ask him to join up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchrender Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 I have a very good friend who worked with me in Ireland he went back to Poland and is working over there. Buy I think the pricing is high in Poland now as the economy is on the up, and I wish them well, the polish worked hard over here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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