If you’ve ever put out a request for proposals (RFP) for a business video and found yourself with ten wildly different quotes, you’re not alone. Video production pricing can be confusing—even intimidating. But here’s the truth that rarely gets said out loud:
You don’t need ten quotes. You need the right partner.
In this blog, we’ll break down why the “get as many bids as possible” approach often leads to misaligned expectations, decision fatigue, and subpar results—and what a better, more strategic approach looks like.
Why People Shop Around (And Why It’s Understandable)
Let’s start with empathy. It’s totally natural to want:
- A sense of the market
- Competitive pricing
- Confidence you’re not overpaying
- A partner who gets your vision
In many industries—like construction or software development—gathering multiple quotes is standard due diligence. But when it comes to creative work like video, the rules change.
That’s because professional video isn’t a fixed-scope service. It’s a collaborative, creative, variable craft—more like hiring an architect or a marketing agency than ordering a print job.
The Illusion of “Comparing Apples to Apples”
Here’s where things get tricky. Let’s say you send the same creative brief to ten video companies. What comes back?
- One quote for $4,000
- Another for $12,000
- A third for $35,000
- One doesn’t even give a quote—just wants to meet
- Another responds with 20 questions before quoting anything
Frustrating? Yes. But telling? Absolutely.
The variation isn’t a sign of unprofessionalism—it’s a red flag that you’re asking a nuanced question in a format that assumes commodity pricing.
Each vendor is bringing:
- A different process
- Different gear
- Different levels of storytelling ability
- Different timelines
- Different assumptions about your goals
So unless you’re in the industry, you’re often left comparing numbers without context—and that’s a dangerous place to make a decision.
What Happens When You Collect Too Many Quotes
1. You Dilute the Creative Process
The best production companies don’t just quote—they consult, shape, and strategize. If you’re simply chasing numbers, you may miss the ones who could actually elevate your idea.Creative partners often step away from quoting when they feel like one of ten, because they know a transactional RFP often leads to a transactional project.
2. You Waste Time (Yours and Theirs)
Collecting and vetting ten quotes could mean 20+ hours of back-and-forth, Zoom calls, emails, and reviewing portfolios. Meanwhile, your project timeline is slipping—and the energy that should go into planning the actual video is getting spent chasing spreadsheets.
3. You Risk Choosing Based on Price Alone
When you don’t understand the “why” behind a quote, the lowest bid often wins by default. But what gets cut to reach that price?
- Crew size?
- Gear quality?
- Editing polish?
- Creative development?
Low quotes don’t reflect efficiency—they often reflect shortcuts that can hurt your final product (and brand).
How Many Quotes Do You Really Need?
Two to three. That’s it.
Why?
Because with two or three carefully selected, pre-vetted companies:
- You get a range, not a flood
- You can ask deeper questions about their process
- You give each one a real chance to understand your brand
- You allow time to judge fit—not just number
At Postcreatives, we often tell prospects: You don’t need to shop around more—you need to dig deeper with the right few.
What You Should Look For Instead of Just Price
If price isn’t the main filter, what should be?
Here’s what smart businesses ask when hiring a video partner:
1. Do They Understand Your Brand?
Can they speak your language? Do they ask thoughtful questions? Do they see the business goal behind the video—or just the visual?
2. What Is Their Storytelling Style?
Look at their reel. Does it feel templated or tailored? Are their videos cinematic? Clear? Emotional? Strategic?
The tone, pacing, and narrative structure all speak to how they’ll tell your story.
3. Are They a Production Vendor or a Creative Partner?
You want someone who can:
- Help shape your concept
- Provide strategic insight
- Guide you through the process
- Understand your brand voice
Vendors shoot what you ask. Partners help you ask the right questions.
4. Do They Produce Real Business Results?
Ask:
- Who have they worked with in your industry?
- What kind of results did those videos drive?
- Are their videos being used in ads, email, sales, and events—or are they sitting on YouTube with 47 views?
The Hidden Cost of Choosing the Wrong Partner
Let’s say you go with the lowest quote—$4,000—for a “simple brand video.” Three weeks in:
- The communication is spotty
- The footage feels flat
- The edit is off-brand
- You’re stuck in endless revision rounds
Now you’ve burned time, money, and trust. Worst of all? You still need a video. So you hire someone else—to redo it right.
What looked like a cost-saving move just became a double-bill.
When Price Does Matter—and How to Talk About It
Let’s be clear: budget matters. You should absolutely share it.
But instead of hiding your number to “see what people come back with,” do this:
Be transparent. Say:
“We’re aiming to keep this under $15K, but we want something evergreen, brand-aligned, and with enough versatility to use in ads, landing pages, and social cutdowns. Can you work within that?”
A good company will:
- Propose solutions that fit
- Help you prioritize line items
- Be honest about trade-offs
Final Thoughts: Choose Fewer, Better. Then Go Deep.
Getting a dozen quotes for your business video may seem like due diligence, but in reality, it often delays your project, muddies your thinking, and sets you up for disappointment.
Instead, choose two or three partners whose work speaks to you. Engage them in conversation. Ask smart questions. Understand their process. Talk openly about budget, timeline, and goals.
Because when it comes to telling your brand’s story, you don’t want the cheapest. You want the best fit.
At Postcreatives, we help businesses build video content that’s aligned, elevated, and built to perform. If you’re ready to move beyond “how cheap can we get it” and into “how powerful can we make it”—let’s talk.
