How much does a video cost? At Turps Film, a short, simple film, such as a single day of interviews, starts from around £3,000 + VAT. Most of our projects, often a main film with cut-downs or a small set of videos, cost £4,000–£8,000, and larger campaigns or detailed 2D/3D animation start from around £10,000.
“How much does a video cost and what am I getting for my budget?”
It’s a fair question and one we hear often. After all, if you’re not part of the video world day-to-day, it’s easy to assume a video quote is just for a day of filming and a bit of editing. You might even wonder why it’s not something that could be pulled together quickly and cheaply.
And where social media lets you post content instantly, it’s tempting to compare professional video production to the speed and ease of phone-shot clips and assume both come from the same process.
But professional video is a very different beast. It’s carefully crafted content designed to last longer, reflect your brand, and deliver real results. And when done properly, there’s a lot that goes into it – before, during, and after the shoot.
So, let’s break it down clearly and transparently. This is what makes up what a professional video costs:
PRE-PRODUCTION
Professional videos don’t start with the camera – they start weeks (sometimes months) before. This stage is crucial. Why? Because the smoother the plan, the smoother the shoot, and the better the final product.
In practice, pre-production covers concept development and creative planning, scriptwriting, storyboarding and shot lists, location scouting and recce days, talent sourcing and casting, and call sheets and scheduling. Scripts and storyboards can take several drafts and rounds of feedback before everyone’s happy.
PRODUCTION
This is the bit everyone sees – the filming itself. But even here, it’s easy to underestimate what’s involved and why it adds up.
On the day, the cost comes from three things. Crew: depending on the project, a director, director of photography, camera operators, a sound recordist, lighting and runners, each bringing specialist skills. Kit: cameras, lenses, lighting, sound, stabilisers, drones and monitors, plus hire, insurance and transport. Travel: mileage and transport, and accommodation if a shoot runs over several days or locations.
POST-PRODUCTION
Here’s where a lot of the unseen effort happens. Many people underestimate how much time and skill post-production takes but it’s often the longest stage.
That stage covers logging and backing up the footage (which alone can take a day or more), editing and assembly, colour grading, sound design and mixing, graphics and subtitles, and structured rounds of feedback and amends. A film often needs versions for different places too, such as social media, your website and presentations.
Typical video production costs at Turps Film
Every project is quoted to its brief, but this is roughly where our work falls:
| Type of project | What it usually involves | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Short, simple films | A finished film from a half-day or single day of filming, such as interviews or a case study | From around £3,000 + VAT |
| Most projects | A main film with cut-downs, or a small set of videos, with fuller planning, more filming or some animation | £4,000–£8,000 + VAT |
| Larger campaigns | Several shoot days, larger crews, or detailed 2D/3D animation | From around £10,000 + VAT |
All prices exclude VAT. Filming-only jobs, where we hand over the footage for your own team to edit, can come in lower. A straightforward 2D animated explainer usually costs £3,000–£6,000 + VAT; we compare the two approaches in animated vs live-action explainer videos.
What affects the cost of a video?
- How many shoot days and locations
- Crew size, and whether you need actors, presenters or a studio
- Animation: its style, length and whether it’s 2D or 3D
- Scripting, storyboarding and how much planning the project needs
- How many finished videos and cut-downs you need (social edits, subtitles, other languages)
Length on its own matters less than most people expect. A three-minute film from one day of interviews can cost less than a 30-second film with actors, several locations and animation.
If you have a budget in mind, tell us. We’ll show you what it can realistically achieve, and where it helps, we’ll quote two or three options at different levels.
“Can’t I Just Film Something Myself?”
Absolutely, you can. And to be honest, for day-to-day, reactive content, we often recommend it. Your phone’s got a decent camera, social media platforms thrive on quick, off-the-cuff clips, and it’s a great way to keep your audience engaged.
But when it comes to the bigger stuff, the content you want to represent your brand long-term, launch a product, or sit pride of place on your website – you want more than a handheld phone shot.
That’s where professional video steps in. It’s planned, strategic, and crafted to make a lasting impression, not disappear in 24 hours.
“But I Know Someone Who’ll Do It for £500…”
We hear this one too. And honestly, if someone’s offering you the full works – planning, filming, editing for £500? That’s fine. But it’s not what we offer.
We’re not in the business of turning out something rushed or half-baked. You’re investing in our experience, our planning, and the time it takes to get things right. We know how to deliver a video that works hard for your business, reflects your brand properly, and stands the test of time.
Value Beyond the Budget
We understand a professional video might seem like a big upfront expense. But we’ve talked before about how to maximise a shoot day and get more for your money. A well-planned shoot can give you not just one video, but a library of content: social snippets, behind-the-scenes clips, interviews, and more.
Your investment isn’t just for today. It’s something you can repurpose and reuse, keeping your brand front and centre long after the cameras stop rolling.
Why Turps Film?
We’re highly recommended not just because we produce polished videos, but because we make the process smooth, transparent, and efficient. Our clients return because they know they’re in safe hands from the planning stages right through to delivery.
We don’t cut corners. We focus on delivering the best, every time.
At the end of the day, professional video isn’t cheap but it’s not overpriced. Every pound in your quote reflects hours of prep, skilled crew, specialist kit, and careful post-production.
So, next time you see a video budget, you’ll know exactly what’s behind it and why it’s worth every bit!
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of video production?
There isn’t a useful single average, because a half-day of interviews and a multi-day campaign are very different jobs. At Turps Film, short, simple films start from around £3,000 + VAT, most projects cost £4,000–£8,000, and larger campaigns start from around £10,000.
How much does a 3-minute video cost?
Length is only part of it. The cost depends on what goes into those three minutes: how many shoot days and locations, who’s on camera, and whether there’s animation. A three-minute film from a single day of interviews sits towards the lower end; the same length with actors, several locations or detailed animation costs more.
How much does an animated video cost?
A straightforward 2D animated explainer usually costs £3,000–£6,000 + VAT. Detailed 2D or 3D animation, or animation combined with live-action filming, is priced like a larger campaign, from around £10,000.
Do your prices include VAT?
No. All our prices exclude VAT. Every project is quoted to its brief, and your written quote sets out the scope, timeline and cost clearly.
Ready to chat about your next video project? Get a video production quote and we’ll come back with a clear, itemised figure, usually within two working days. Or drop us a line.
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