Quick answer: Before hiring a video studio, ask these ten questions: Who writes the script? What is included in the price? How many revisions do I get? What is the timeline? Who owns the final files? Can I see work like my project? Who is my point of contact? What do you need from me? What happens if I do not like it? And what is not included? Clear answers mean a smooth project. Vague answers are a warning sign.
Why ask questions first?
Most bad video projects do not fail on talent. They fail on unspoken expectations: surprise costs, endless timelines, or a style mismatch nobody caught early. Ten minutes of questions before you sign saves weeks of frustration after.
The 10 questions to ask
- Who writes the script? The script decides 80% of the result. Make sure scriptwriting is included and done by the studio, with your approval. If they expect you to hand them a finished script, you are buying animation, not a video solution.
- What exactly is included in the price? Script, storyboard, design, animation, voiceover, music, sound effects, captions. Get the list in writing. Voiceover and music licenses are common surprise add-ons.
- How many revisions do I get? Two to three rounds per stage is standard. Ask what happens if you need more and what that costs.
- What is the realistic timeline? A normal 60 to 90 second video takes 2 to 4 weeks. Anyone promising full custom work in 3 days is using templates. Details in our timeline guide.
- Who owns the final files? You should own the final video outright, for use anywhere, forever. Also ask about source files: some studios charge extra for them.
- Can I see work similar to my project? Not just a highlight reel. Ask for videos in your industry or style. A studio that has made many SaaS videos already knows the patterns that convert.
- Who will I actually talk to? One clear point of contact beats being passed between departments. Ask how often you will get updates.
- What do you need from me, and when? Brand files, product access, feedback deadlines. Knowing your side of the job prevents delays. Our brief template covers most of it.
- What happens if I do not like the direction? Good studios catch style mismatches early with storyboards and style frames, where changes are cheap. Ask how they handle a bigger course correction.
- What is not included? The mirror of question 2. Translations, extra formats for social, future edits, source files. Better to know now.
Warning signs to watch for
- No clear process. If they cannot explain their stages, expect chaos.
- A price far below everyone else. It usually means templates or endless upsells.
- No questions about your business. A good studio asks about your audience and goals before quoting.
- Vague answers about revisions or ownership.
FAQ
Should I choose a freelancer or a studio?
Freelancers can be great for small, simple videos. Studios bring a full team: writer, designer, animator, and sound. For a video your business will run ads on for a year, the team usually wins. See our comparison of the best explainer video companies.
How do I compare quotes fairly?
Compare what is included, not just the number. A $1,200 quote with script, voiceover, and revisions included beats a $900 quote where those are add-ons.
What is a fair price for a 60 second explainer?
Professional studio work typically runs from about $1,500 to $5,000 depending on style and studio. At Motion Graphix it is a flat package price, and a complete 60-second video starts at $1,500. Full breakdown on our pricing page.
Want to put these questions to the test? Ask us all ten. We enjoy the direct ones most. Or start by browsing our portfolio.
