What Affects the Cost of Video Production?

Updated 3 November 2026

Ask what a video costs and the honest answer is: it depends. The finished length has surprisingly little to do with it. This guide breaks down the factors that do, so you can compare quotes like for like and decide where to spend and where to save.

Why quotes vary so much

Two quotes for "a two-minute company video" can be very different because they describe different projects. One might be a single camera operator filming an interview in an afternoon; the other might involve scripting, a crew of four, two locations, actors, drone footage, animation and six versions for social media. Understanding the factors below makes it easier to see what each quote includes.

1. Pre-production

Pre-production is everything before the camera rolls: understanding the brief, developing the concept, scripting, storyboarding, scouting locations, casting and scheduling. Good pre-production saves money on the day because the crew knows exactly what to shoot. Skipping it usually costs more later in re-shoots or long edits. A clear brief from you reduces the time needed here; see how to write a video brief.

2. Number of shoot days

Filming time is usually the biggest single factor. Crews are typically booked by the half day or full day, and every extra location, interviewee or scene adds time. Travel between locations eats into the day too: two sites across Dublin can take a full day where one site would take a morning.

3. Crew size

A small corporate shoot might need one or two people. Larger productions add a director, camera assistant, sound recordist, lighting, hair and make-up, and a producer to keep it all on schedule. More crew means more cost, but it also means better sound, better lighting and less time wasted on the day.

4. Equipment

Camera, lenses, lighting, sound kit and grip equipment such as sliders, gimbals and tripods all factor in. Specialist kit adds cost: cinema cameras, teleprompters for presenters, multiple cameras for interviews or events, and live-streaming equipment.

5. Aerial footage

Drone footage can add a sense of scale, but it involves planning. In Ireland, drone operators must comply with EU drone rules administered by the Irish Aviation Authority, which include operator registration and restrictions on where and how drones can be flown, particularly near people, airports and in built-up areas. The IAA's guidance is at iaa.ie. Permissions, weather and site conditions all affect whether, and how quickly, aerial shots can be captured.

6. Locations and permits

Filming on your own premises is usually straightforward. Filming in public places, on private property owned by someone else or at landmarks may need permission, location fees or insurance documents. Local authorities and property owners set their own requirements, so allow time for this in the schedule.

7. Talent and presenters

Using your own staff and customers keeps costs down and often looks more authentic. Professional actors, presenters or voice-over artists add fees, and the cost also depends on how and where the video will be used, and for how long. Agree usage rights in writing.

8. Music and licensing

Commercial music cannot simply be added to a business video. Production music libraries offer licensed tracks; well-known songs need permission from rights holders and can be expensive. Bespoke composition is another option for longer campaigns.

9. Post-production

Editing is where the video is actually made, and its cost depends on the amount of footage, the complexity of the story and the number of review rounds. Post-production can include:

• Editing and structuring the story
• Colour grading for a consistent look
• Sound mixing and clean-up
• Motion graphics, titles, lower thirds and logo animation
• Subtitles and translations
• Animation, which can be a large part of the budget on its own

Agree the number of revision rounds in advance. Open-ended feedback cycles are one of the most common reasons projects run over budget.

10. Number of versions and formats

A single 16:9 film is one deliverable. Add a 30-second cut, three vertical clips for Reels and a square version for LinkedIn and the edit becomes several projects. Planning these from the start is far cheaper than asking for them afterwards, because the footage can be shot with each format in mind. See social media video sizes and how long a corporate video should be.

Where to save and where not to

Reasonable ways to save

• Film several videos in one shoot day
• Use your own premises, staff and customers
• Keep the number of locations and speakers down
• Use licensed library music
• Gather all feedback from your team into one consolidated round

False economies

• Sound. Viewers forgive slightly imperfect pictures but not poor audio. Professional microphones and a quiet location matter.
• Planning. A rushed brief leads to footage that does not fit the purpose.
• Lighting for interviews. Poorly lit speakers look tired and less credible.

Comparing quotes

When you receive quotes, check that each one specifies the same things: pre-production, number of shoot days, crew, locations, music, number and length of deliverables, formats, revision rounds and usage rights. A cheaper quote that excludes subtitles, extra versions or a second revision round may end up costing more.

To see examples of finished promotional films, visit the video page.