Architectural Rendering Guide: How Much Does It Cost?

Adopting the latest developments in technology is a must for any business in highly competitive fields, such as Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC).

Not only do new technologies increase efficiency, but open up new marketing opportunities. In the case of AEC and real estate sectors, one of the main trends is architectural visualization or 3D rendering.

Among the aspects that clients most often pay attention to is 3D rendering services prices. In this guide, we’ll look at the role of architectural rendering, what factors affect price, and whether costs can be reduced.

The Value Of 3D Rendering

Today, architectural visualization is widely used for both residential and commercial projects. Using rendering tools, designers transform project requirements into photorealistic images.

The value of 3D visualization includes the following aspects:

• creating a positive first impression
• more accurate drawings and presentations
• digitization of real estate objects

Architectural 3d rendering services may vary depending on the client’s goals and budget, but the benefits rendering provides are well worth the investment.

The Main Types Of 3D Rendering In The AEC

The types of architectural 3D rendering services vary depending on the preferences and needs of the potential client. The main reason is that visualizations may have different purposes, such as being used for marketing strategies, design analysis, project planning, agent presentations, etc.

Thus, it is crucial to ensure that the client, when hiring rendering services, gets exactly what they want. To achieve this, many professionals take Autodesk training to gain the skills needed for delivering high-quality, customized visualizations for each project.

The most common types of 3D visualizations include:

• Exterior. This type of rendering allows you to demonstrate the appearance of an object. Details that are paid attention to usually include architectural and landscaping design, as well as the overall look of the exterior.
• Interior. This type of rendering is used to showcase interior spaces. The main focus is on rooms, furniture, decorative elements, and lighting.
• 360. Panoramic renderings provide a 360-degree view of a space. Most often, this type of visualization is used on websites and presentations.
• Virtual tours. Such renderings are interactive and provide an immersive effect, allowing the client to explore the space in a virtual environment.
• Floor plans. 3D plans make it possible to explore a three-dimensional representation of the object’s layout, allowing one to get a more detailed understanding of the organization of space.

Cost Of 3D Architectural Rendering

There are two key factors to consider when it comes to rendering costs. These are the type of project and delivery time. In addition, there are static and dynamic rendering formats.

Still images are a kind of realistic photograph of an object. Animated visualizations are more like tours of a property, allowing you to explore it from different angles.

However, even for each of these format types, prices can vary markedly. After all, a number of details, the type of project and its size, as well as the time frame matter here.

Generally, high-quality still photorealistic images are priced in the range of $800-$3000. At the same time, the cost of dynamic 3D renderings may vary between $5000-$20000.

What Affects The Price

Here are some of the main aspects that have the greatest impact on the final cost of rendering services:

Project Complexity

Among the main factors are the complexity of the project and the scope of work.

To create 3D visualizations, three specialists are needed: a project manager, a 3D artist, and a post-production artist.

The complexity of the project and the scope of work are influenced by such factors as the level of detail, unique elements, and their number, texturing of models, etc. In addition, the type of post-processing is also essential, which may vary from project to project. In some cases, careful detailing is necessary, while retouching and color adjustments are sufficient in others.

Project File Size

High-quality, detailed, and full-length visualization means higher costs because the task requires more time and a high-powered computer.

The Time Of Rendering

Rendering is the processing of visualization. Here, the more realistic and detailed the image is, the longer the rendering process will take.

When we talk about rendering still images, this factor becomes secondary. However, with dynamic rendering, time is one of the main cost factors.

Delivery Time

Another factor is deadlines. The less time you give the team to finish the project, the higher the price. The main reason is that tighter deadlines mean more overtime and more intensive work for the rendering team.

Pricing Options

There are two types of pricing strategies:

• Pay per image. This option means a fixed price for each image. This is perfect for small projects. If you order a lot of images, you may be able to get a discount, as many companies offer scalable prices.
• Pay per project. This option means payment for the entire project. This is perfect for larger projects that involve different types of renders and a lot of visualization objects. Companies usually offer a custom quote depending on the scope of your project.

What To Know When Hiring 3D Rendering Services

Here are the main aspects to consider in order to make informed decisions and pay a reasonable price for services:

Avoid Standard Pricing

When it comes to 3D rendering, you usually receive a custom quote based on the scope and complexity of your project. Therefore, avoid companies that offer standard prices.

Be Specific

Provide the company with as much specific information as possible when requesting a quote.

The more detailed your technical task is, as well as the more useful links and materials you provide, the better your concept will be implemented.

Ask For Previous Projects

Unscrupulous companies may offer you high-quality renders at incredibly low prices. This approach is most often a sign of a scam, so always ask the company for examples of its previous projects.

Communication Comes First

Choose companies that provide constant communication and good customer service to avoid problems and misunderstandings with the project.

Give Your Feedback

Be proactive on the project to reduce delivery time and get the desired result. Give the team clear feedback to avoid unnecessary revisions and adjustments that could add cost and time.

Choose A Trustworthy Company

Spend some time checking reviews and ratings of companies and researching the market to find a reliable company that you can trust and that suits your requirements and budget.