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First-time video buyers usually compare the wrong things. They compare the look of a reel and the size of a number at the bottom of a quote, then discover later that the two companies were not pricing the same job. The twelve questions below fix that. For each one you get the reason it matters and what a good answer sounds like, written for owners of local service businesses and property businesses who are buying video for the first time.
Ask them on a call, then confirm the answers in writing.
1. Can I see work that resembles my project?
Why it matters. A strong reel proves skill, but not fit. A company that makes glossy product ads may not know how to film a contractor’s crew on a job site or an owner walking through a building.
A good answer. Two or three samples close to your format and budget, with an explanation of what the company did on each. If you run a local business or manage properties, ask for examples of interior spaces, real staff on camera and short social videos, not only large campaigns.
2. Who will actually shoot and edit my video?
Why it matters. Some companies sell the project with a senior person and hand the work to someone else, or subcontract it. The person on set decides how your team looks and sounds.
A good answer. Names and roles. Ask whether the director, camera operator and editor are the same people who appear in the portfolio, and whether any part is subcontracted.
3. What does the quote include, and what does it leave out?
Why it matters. Two quotes of the same total can cover very different work. One may include color correction, sound and subtitles, while the other charges for each separately.
A good answer. A line-item breakdown listing crew, gear, locations, editing and deliverables, followed by a list of what is quoted separately. Ask for it before you sign anything.
4. How many rounds of revisions are included?
Why it matters. Unlimited revisions sound generous, but they hide delays. Zero revisions leave you stuck with a cut you dislike.
A good answer. A fixed number, commonly two rounds, with a definition of what counts as a round and a price for additional ones. Agree who sends feedback so the company receives one consolidated list.
5. Who owns the footage and the final video?
Why it matters. If you pay for a video but do not hold the rights, you may have to pay again to reuse it on a new site or in an ad.
A good answer. A written statement that you own or have unlimited use of the final video. Ask separately about raw footage and project files; some companies keep these unless you request and pay for them.
6. What licenses are needed, and who pays for them?
Why it matters. Music, stock footage, fonts, actors and locations all carry rights. Using something outside its license can force you to take a video down.
A good answer. A clear list of licensed items, what each covers (where it can run and for how long), and who holds the paperwork. Hired talent and custom music are commonly quoted separately.
7. What formats will I receive?
Why it matters. A video for your website, a vertical clip for social media, and a version for a listing page are different files.
A good answer. A list of final files with their aspect ratios and lengths, including captioned versions. For a property business, ask for a short vertical cut for social media and a longer version for the website.
8. How long will it take, and what could delay it?
Why it matters. Delays usually come from scheduling, feedback and approvals on your side, not from editing alone.
A good answer. A dated schedule with milestones: planning call, shoot date, first cut, feedback, final delivery. Ask about rush options and what they cost. A 4-week turnaround from kickoff is one example of a standard timeline some studios publish, and anything faster should come with a clear explanation.
9. What are the payment terms?
Why it matters. Payment structure reveals how a company manages risk, and it affects your cash flow.
A good answer. A split tied to milestones, such as half before production and half on final delivery, with a three-part schedule on larger jobs. Be cautious of anyone asking for the full amount up front with no schedule.
10. Do you carry insurance, and who handles permits?
Why it matters. Filming in a shared building, a client’s property or a public space often requires proof of liability coverage and, in some places, a permit. If the company has neither, the exposure is yours.
A good answer. A certificate of insurance on request, and a statement of who applies for permits and who pays the fees. If you want drone footage, ask who is licensed to fly and who checks the airspace. Restricted airspace can require extra permits, and drone work there may be priced as an extra. Check the FAA’s current rules for any drone shoot.
11. What happens if we need to reshoot?
Why it matters. Weather, a missing person or a decision made late can force a second day. Without terms, you will negotiate under pressure.
A good answer. A stated policy for reshoots: what is covered when the company causes the problem, and what is billed when scope or schedule changes on your side. A good company sends a change order before the extra work starts.
12. Can I speak to a past client?
Why it matters. References show how the company behaves when something goes wrong, not just how it looks on a good day.
A good answer. Contact details for a client with a similar project, or a written case study with a specific outcome. Ask that client about communication, whether the project came in on budget and whether they would hire the company again.
What a transparent quote looks like
A good quote is easy to compare because it shows the arithmetic. LV Productions describes a free 30-minute intake call followed by a line-item estimate within 48 hours, listing crew, gear, locations, post and deliverables, and a change order sent before shooting begins. It also names what is quoted separately: talent fees, custom music, studio rental and drone work in restricted airspace. On payment, it publishes 50% before production and 50% on final delivery, with a 33/33/34 split possible on jobs of $30K and above. This is not a claim that the studio makes property or local business videos. It is an example of the level of detail you should expect from any provider, including the items that sit outside the main price.
Use the same structure to compare your own quotes. Put them side by side and sort each cost into three groups: included, quoted separately and not mentioned. The third group is where surprises hide.
Considerations specific to property and local businesses
- People in frame. Tenants, neighbors, customers and staff who appear on camera need to agree. Ask the company for release forms and plan filming around people who decline.
- Occupied spaces. Filming inside a home or an operating business means scheduling around residents and customers. Build in setup time and plan what must be moved or covered.
- Listing videos versus brand videos. A walkthrough of a single property is a different job from a video that explains your company. Decide which one you are buying first, then ask for quotes for that.
- Seasons and light. Exterior shots look different in different seasons. If a property will look better in two months, decide whether waiting is worth it.
- Reuse. One shoot day can produce a brand video, several short clips and photos for the site if you plan it. Say so in the first call.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for my first video?
It depends on length, crew and number of deliverables, so ask for line-item quotes rather than relying on averages. The most reliable way to learn the range for your situation is to describe the job to two or three companies and compare what they list.
Should I pick the cheapest quote?
Only after you confirm that the scope matches. A lower quote often leaves out sound, color correction, subtitles or revisions.
Do I need a written contract?
Yes. A short written agreement covering scope, price, schedule, revisions, ownership and payment protects both sides.
Next step
Print the twelve questions, put them in front of you on your next call with a production company, and write down each answer. Then ask for the quote in line-item form, with a dated schedule. If a company will not answer them clearly, you have learned what you needed to know before signing.
