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When it comes to video editing, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of your project will depend on a number of factors, including the length of your video, the complexity of the edits, and the number of rounds of revisions you require.
That being said, there are some general guidelines you can follow to ensure you’re getting a fair price for your video editing project. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to determine how much you should be paying for video editing services and how to get the best deal possible.
So, how much does video editing cost? Let’s break it down.
What does video editing involve?
There are a few different aspects to video editing, which we will go over in more detail below. These include:
- Cutting and trimming footage – This is the most basic form of editing, and involves removing any unwanted footage from your video. This could be anything from cutting out pauses and filler content to removing entire scenes that are not relevant to the video.
- Adding visual effects – Visual effects can help to make your video more engaging and visually interesting. They can also be used to add special effects, such as slow-motion or green screens.
- Adding audio – Audio is an important part of any video and can help to set the tone and mood of your video. Adding background music or sound effects can help to make your video more engaging and enjoyable to watch.
- Adding transitions – Transitions can help to make your video flow more smoothly and can be used to add visual interest
- Color correction – Color correction can help to improve the overall look of your video, and can be used to correct any color imbalances.
- Adding titles and credits – Titles and credits can help to identify the people involved in your video, and can also be used to add visual interest.
As you can see, there are a few different aspects to video editing that you may want to consider when deciding how much to spend. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and what you feel comfortable spending. However, keep in mind that the more you spend, the better quality video you will likely end up with.
How much does video editing cost?
As with any service, there is a range of prices that video editing services can charge. It all depends on the quality of the service and the experience of the editor. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour of edited footage.
However, it is important to note that price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a video editor. You will also want to take into account the quality of their work, their turnaround time, and their overall professionalism.
Additional pricing factors
There are a few other things to keep in mind that could affect the cost of your project, these include:
The quality of your footage
The quality of your footage will have a direct impact on the amount of time it takes to edit your video. If you have high-quality, well-lit footage, it will be much easier (and faster) for your editor to work with. On the other hand, if your footage is dark or shaky, it will take much longer to edit.
The length of your video
The length of your video will also play a role in how much it costs to have it edited. Generally speaking, the longer the video, the more it will cost. This is because it takes more time to edit a longer video than a shorter one.
The complexity of your project
If you have a very complex project, it will likely cost more to have it edited than a simpler project. This is because complex projects often require more time and attention from the editor. Complexity is often determined by the number of video elements, the number of audio tracks, and the number of special effects used.
The number of editors you need
If you need multiple editors to work on your project, it will obviously cost more than if you only need one editor. This is because each editor will need to be paid for their time and work.
How many revisions are needed
Revisions are often needed to make sure that the project is perfect. The more revisions that are needed, the more it will cost. This is because each revision takes time and effort to fix.
Revisions don’t mean that the original project was bad, it just means that sometimes, tweaks are required to make the project perfect.
The cost of licensing
If you need to license any music or footage for your project, this will obviously add to the cost. This is because you will need to pay for the rights to use this material.
How to calculate the cost of video editing
There are a few things to consider when calculating the cost of video editing, but by taking the time to do this, you will be able to get a rough estimate of how much your project will cost.
We’ll break this down into a few different sections so that you can get a better understanding of the cost of video editing.
Assess the quality of your footage
The first thing you need to do is assess the quality of your footage. This includes things like the resolution, framerate, and codec of your footage. If you have high-quality footage, then you will need to spend less time editing it and thus, it will cost less.
On the other hand, if you have low-quality footage, then you will need to spend more time editing it to make it look good. This means that the cost of video editing will be higher.
Pick an overall length
Another factor that affects the cost of video editing is the final length of your video. A shorter video will obviously cost less to edit than a longer one. This is because it will take less time to edit a shorter video.
The complexity of your project
Finally, the complexity of your project will also affect the cost of video editing. If you have a very complex project, then it will take more time to edit and thus, it will cost more.
In terms of complexity, most edits can be broken down into three categories: simple, moderate, and complex.
- Simple edits are things like cutting out small sections of footage or adding basic transitions.
- Moderate edits are things like adding graphics or working with multiple video files.
- Complex edits are things like creating special effects or animation.
When it comes to assessing the complexity of your project, you need to take into account the complexity of the individual edits, as well as how many edits there are in total.
For example, if you have a project with a lot of moderate edits, it will likely take longer to edit than a project with the same number of simple edits.
The more complex the project, the more time it will take to edit, and thus, the higher the cost.
Get a quote
Most video editors will be happy to provide you with a quote for your project.
This will give you a good idea of how much the project will cost, as well as how long it will take to complete.
If you’re working with a limited budget, be sure to let the video editor know so that they can work within your constraints.
Calculating the cost
Once you know how much time the project will take, you can start to calculate the cost.
If you’re paying by the hour, multiply the number of hours by the hourly rate.
Remember to factor in any additional costs, such as music, graphics, and so on.
While every video editor will have their own hourly rates that reflect their experience and skills, here are some average rates to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Novice video editor: $25-$50/hour
- Experienced video editor: $50-$100/hour
- Professional video editor: $100-$200/hour
This price is also variable to the complexity of the project.
A simple video with not a lot of graphics may cost around $200, while a more complex video could cost upwards of $2300.
It’s important to discuss your budget with the editor beforehand so that they can give you an accurate quote.
How to find the right video editor for your project
Now that you know what to expect in terms of pricing, the next step is finding the right video editor for your project.
There are a few things you should take into consideration:
- The scope of your project
- Your budget
- The editor’s experience and skills
- The editor’s availability
When you’re considering different editors, be sure to ask for quotes and compare them side by side. You should also ask for a portfolio so that you can see examples of the editor’s work.
The best way to find a good video editor is to ask around for recommendations. Talk to friends or colleagues who have had videos edited in the past and see if they have any recommendations. You can also search online for video editing services and read reviews from past clients.
Once you’ve found a few potential editors, reach out to them and see if they’re available to take on your project. Be sure to give them all the details of what you need so that they can provide you with an accurate quote.
The cost of your project
After taking all of these factors into consideration, you can start to get an idea of how much your project is going to cost. Of course, the final price will depend on the specific details of your project. But, this should give you a good starting point.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into the cost of a video editing project. By taking the time to understand all of these factors, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible value for your money.
Or you can choose the convenience of Vidchops. Vidchops is a subscription-based video editing service that offers high-quality video editing at an affordable price. With Vidchops, you can get unlimited video edits for an affordable monthly fee!. Vidchops offers unlimited revisions, a dedicated video editor, stock footage and royality free music.
Contact us today to get started on your next video editing project!