Compare video production quotes by matching the work each team will deliver, not just the totals. Put the creative responsibilities, shoot plan, finishing stages, delivery versions and open assumptions next to each other. If those do not match, the prices are answering different questions.
This guide focuses on reading proposals. For Bolt's starting commercial budget and the components of a production, use our commercial production cost guide.
Write the comparison before choosing a winner
Create a shared list of what the project requires. For each proposal, record whether the work is included, excluded or still to be confirmed. Do not fill a blank with an assumption. Ask the team that submitted the quote to explain it.
Use the same brief for every partner. Our production brief guide can help you define the audience, objective, creative direction, deadline and deliverables.
Check who owns the creative work
Does the proposal begin with a finished script, or include developing one? Who organizes locations, talent and the schedule? Who coordinates feedback and approvals?
These questions identify responsibilities rather than judge a team by the size of its crew. A client supplying material should say exactly what will be ready and when. A partner developing it should describe that work in the scope.
Check the shoot assumptions
Compare the planned locations, crew responsibilities and equipment arrangements. Ask what is confirmed and what the proposal assumes. Explain any requirement that cannot change, such as access to a location or the availability of a participant.
If a proposal leaves an arrangement open, ask how it will be resolved before production. The point is to understand the dependency before choosing the price.
Compare the finished deliverables
List the main film, shorter edits, aspect ratios, captions and other files you need. Check which versions each quote includes. Discuss sound, color, graphics and visual effects when the project calls for them.
Our post-production services explain the finishing stages available to discuss. A reference to editing should not be treated as confirmation of every delivery version.
Ask how changes will be handled
Identify the approval process and ask how revisions or changes in scope will be agreed. Who gathers feedback? Who makes the final decision? What happens if the brief changes after the proposal is accepted?
Record the answers alongside the quote. This gives your team a comparison it can explain instead of a price it can only point to.
Proposal comparison questions
What if the lowest quote leaves work out?
Ask for the missing scope to be clarified before making the comparison. Decide whether your team will supply it or whether it belongs in the proposal.
Should I ask for identical production plans?
Ask partners to address the same requirements. Their approaches can differ, but those differences should be visible.
Discuss a proposal with Bolt
Email brian@boltworldwide.com with your brief and the scope you need covered. Our custom quote guide explains what to include in the request.
