If you’re planning to commission a video for your business in 2025, one of the first questions is usually: how much will it cost?

The honest answer is: it depends. Not just on who you hire, but on what you’re trying to achieve, how you want it to look, and how you plan to use it. That said, there are some clear factors that shape the price, and knowing what to expect can help you plan your budget with confidence.

Here’s a practical guide to what affects video costs, what to look out for, and how to get the best value for your money.

1. What affects the cost of a video?

Every video is different, but some common factors tend to influence the price:

• Crew size and experience:
  A small shoot might just need one or two people. Larger productions might need multiple camera operators, sound, lighting, or specialist roles like a director or drone operator. More people = more cost, but also more coverage and expertise.

• Time and locations:
  Longer shoot days, multiple locations, or difficult access (e.g., rural sites or working around business hours) will increase cost. Travel and accommodation may also need to be factored in.

• Pre-production and planning:
  Scripting, storyboarding, scheduling, and location scouting take time, but good planning prevents delays and mistakes later. It’s worth investing in.

• Post-production:
  Editing, sound mixing, subtitles, colour grading, motion graphics, and versioning (e.g., social cutdowns) all add time and value. The more complex your content, the more time it’ll take to finish properly.

Tip: Don’t just ask for a day rate — ask what’s included.

Crew size matters: Wide conference coverage often requires a Producer/Director and both camera and sound operator

2. Why editing time varies

Editing often takes longer than people expect. That’s not because it’s inefficient — it’s because a good editor is doing a lot behind the scenes.

They’re shaping the story, blending sound, colour-matching footage, adding graphics, syncing music, creating subtitles, and delivering the final file in the right formats. If there are changes, they’ll do version control too.

Things that affect editing time include:

• How long the shoot was (more footage = more to sift through)

• How clear the brief is: It’s always quicker to follow a route, so make sure you’ve given them clear direction. This is about having a robust pre-production process.

• Whether motion graphics or animation is needed. Creating any form of graphics or animation takes time as they are all made from scratch. This guide from the experts at Disney is one extreme, but it generally takes a day to create 20 seconds of simple 2D animation, more for 3D.

• How many versions you need (e.g., different formats or languages)

• How many rounds of feedback you build in

Tip: A 2-minute video might take a day to shoot, and 3–5 days to edit.

3. How to avoid hidden costs

Nobody likes surprise costs. But they often pop up when things haven’t been discussed clearly up front.

Common examples include:

• Changes to the brief or goals after pre-production and budgets have been signed off.

• Extra rounds of feedback beyond what was quoted. (Hint- if you get pre-production right, amends should be minimal)

• Music licensing fees or image rights

• Location hire or permits

• Subtitling or versioning not included in the original quote

• Rush turnaround requests

To avoid this, make sure you get a detailed quote that lists exactly what’s included and what might cost more. Ask what happens if your plans change mid-project.

Tip: A good supplier will flag anything that might change the cost early on — and explain why. But that’s why it’s so important to get pre-production right: Make sure you’re confident your plan is watertight before you turn a camera or edit suite on.

4. Where not to cut corners

It’s totally normal to have a budget in mind. But there are some areas where saving money can cost you more in the long run.

Don’t skimp on:

• Planning: Rushing pre-production often leads to reshoots or wasted time. ( Can you tell yet that pre-production is VERY important )

• Sound: Viewers may forgive average visuals, but not bad audio

• Subtitles: Essential for accessibility and viewing on social platforms

• Editing time: Tight deadlines can lead to rushed work or a less polished finish

• Usage rights: Always make sure you have the correct rights for music, images, and contributors

Tip: Focus your budget where it adds the most value to the final result.

Getting the edit right is crucial. It’s where the magic happens!

5. How to plan your budget wisely

Rather than asking “how much will this cost?”, a better approach is: “What can I do with this budget?”

Let your supplier know what you’re trying to achieve and roughly what you can spend — they can then advise on how to get the best result for that amount. Often, small tweaks to the plan can unlock savings or stretch your budget further. For example, adding in a second camera will cost around £100-£200, but that second shot will make a simple talking head film much more dynamic and easier to edit, giving you more control over your message. So, a better result editorially and visually.

You might also think long-term: could you capture extra content on shoot day for future edits? Could you plan a suite of videos rather than one-off pieces? Most production companies charge their crew and kit out by the day, so make the most of them! We often shoot for more than one campaign when on location, with clients sharing the cost across different parts of the business. A bit of strategic thinking can go a long way.

Tip: Treat your video supplier like a creative partner, not just a service provider.

Conclusion: Clear briefs make for clear budgets

There’s no one-size-fits-all price for video, but with a clear goal and honest conversation, you can commission something that looks good, works hard, and stays within budget.

At Dependable Productions, we’re happy to talk things through early, give you clear pricing, and help you get the most from your investment — no hard sell, no jargon. Got a project in mind? Let’s have a chat about what’s possible.