If you have never worked with a rendering company before, you may not know what to expect or how to start. Before signing any contracts or agreeing to any terms, it is important to vet the rendering company. There are a few ways that we recommend that you can do this.
First, is to read through their process and background on their website. On their website, you should be able to see a portfolio of what projects they have completed. This will show you what the rendering company is capable of and what recent projects they have done.
Now, once you have gone through their website and seen reviews, it is time to talk with the rendering company. When working with a rendering company, there are a few questions that are very important to ask. We have compiled a list of questions to ask, along with answers that you should be looking for. All of which Masitects complies with.
1. What type of renderings does the rendering company provide?
For this question, you are looking for the type of renderings that the company is capable of. You are also wanting to be sure that their style matches the style you are going for. Now, there are a few different types of renderings that we will talk about below.
Sketchup Renderings
Sketchup renderings are renderings that are created in a software known as sketchup. These renderings are a good base, but tend to be a little flatter and less detailed. This software is slightly limiting. However, this may be a good option for you if you are on a tight budget and are only wanting to show the basic idea of the building or room.
Photorealistic Renderings
Photorealistic renderings are renderings that look much more realistic, as if someone was taking a photo of the building itself. These are the renderings that Masitects specializes in. We believe that these renderings are the best way to not only sell a property, but to showcase an idea and get others on board. Our clients have successfully used our renderings to get their projects approved by the city and to secure funding. Photorealistic renderings are a great way to elevate your presentations and get your clients excited!
Watercolor Renderings
Finally, watercolor renderings are renderings that have a very specific style. These tend to look more artistic in nature. You can tell that these are more so sketches, but have added dimension with the added colors.
Which is your favorite?
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- Photorealistic Renderings
- Watercolor Renderings
- Sketchup Renderings
2. How long will it take to get initial proofs and typically for a final rendering?
When working on a project, it is important to know how long it is going to take them to get back to you with the initial proofs and the final renderings. That way you can determine how long it is before you present it to your own clients.
Our answer: This is a great question to have during this part of the process. We can accommodate most clients' deadlines. Some factors, such as the size of the project, how many buildings or objects need modeling, the number of scenes, will affect the lead time.
On average, for our interior design rendering projects, it takes about 4-5 business days. Another example is a home rendering with multiple exterior scenes, on average, can take 5-7 business days. Overall, you can see your project being done between 4-7 business days.
3. What Do I Need to Provide in Order to Get Started? / Do I Need A Licensed Architectural Drawing to Start?
Some rendering companies may ask for completed drawings that are stamped by an architect. However, this should be unnecessary!
Our answer: To get started, all we need are the initial plans and elevations for the project. We do not need a licensed architectural drawing- preliminary drawings will do the job. Although developed plans by a licensed architect would be helpful, it is certainly not needed.
Many of our clients need our architectural rendering services to help present their project to the city for pre-approval. This can save a client a LOT of money. Why spend thousands of dollars on architectural plans to find out the city or state will disapprove of it!? We will say that licensed architectural plans and drawings are a must for construction, but are not necessary early on in the project's idea phase.
4. Does the rendering company have examples of some of their most recent, relevant work?
It is always important to see what the rendering company is capable of and what work they have done in the past. Be sure to ask for examples that are similar to your project. You can also check out their portfolio to see what they are showing off. This is crucial as some companies may specialize in commercial renderings, whereas others may specialize in residential renderings.
Our answer: Our background is very versatile and includes many different types of renderings. We always provide recent examples that would be similar to your project. We want our clients to be assured that we will deliver renderings that match exactly what they are looking for. Check out our portfolio to see the different types of work we have completed in the past.
5. How much will a rendering cost?
This is probably one of the first questions any client asks. When asking a rendering company this question, be sure to have other questions lined up. For instance, do prices change depending on the scope or complexity of the project? How long is a quote good for? Are there any unknown pricing or fees that I should be aware about?
Our answer: Just like how long it will take, our cost per your project will vary on many factors. Our architectural rendering services prices start at $350 per rendering. When you ask for a quote, the more information you can provide us about your project, the better understanding we can have to give you a firm quote. Visit our Request A Quote page to get started.
6. What if I want changes after the model is complete?
This may change your entire perception of the company. Some rendering companies will do this for the cost of another rendering. Some may not even do it at all! However, some fall in the middle with a range of pricing.
Our answer: We get this question all the time as we work with architects, real estate agents, and interior designers. It is quite often that our clients will ask us how much it will cost to get changes after everything has been approved.
At Masitects, we only charge at an hourly rate versus charging for a whole new rendering. Most changes only take 1-5 hours depending on the complexity and amount of changes. With this rate, the cost for changes are significantly less than that of a whole rendering.
Now what?
Now that you are ready and have all of your questions lined up, you are ready to begin vetting out rendering companies. This can be a lot of work and can take days to weeks to receive responses back. However, you already have all of the answers from Masitects right above!
All you are missing is an exact estimate for your project. Masitects can get you an exact quote back in 24-48 hours once you submit the necessary documents through our inquiry form. We would love to get started on your project and are confident that you will be extremely satisfied with our service and results. If you still have more questions, contact us or call us today!
