Explainer Video Cost:

Installation animation is a specialized type of explainer video that visually demonstrates how to assemble, install, or use a product. It simplifies complex processes, improving customer experience and reducing support inquiries.

For furniture businesses, understanding explainer video costs is essential for effective budgeting and decision-making. Various factors influence pricing, including animation style and complexity, video length, scriptwriting and storyboarding, voiceover and sound design, revisions, and customization. By considering these elements, companies can ensure they get a high-quality animation that meets their needs while staying within budget.

This article by our 3D animation company will guide you through the key factors influencing explainer video cost, helping you make informed decisions for your project.

#1. Animation Style and Complexity

The style and complexity of an installation animation play a crucial role in determining the explainer video cost. From simple 2D animations to highly detailed 3D visualizations, each level of complexity requires varying degrees of effort, expertise, and resources, directly influencing production time and overall expenses.

How Complexity Affects Production Time and Cost

• Basic 2D Animation – Simple vector-based animations with limited shading and movement are faster and more cost-effective. These animations typically involve fewer assets, straightforward transitions, and minimal rendering time.
• 3D Animation with Basic Modeling – Adding a third dimension increases production time, as it requires modeling objects, texturing, lighting, and rendering. This level of complexity is often used for instructional videos where some depth and realism are beneficial.
• Highly Detailed 3D Animation – Realistic textures, advanced lighting, fluid physics simulations, and dynamic camera movements demand extensive computational power and skilled labor. Each frame may take hours to render, and revisions can be time-consuming, significantly increasing costs.

Examples of Basic vs. Highly Detailed Installation Animations

• Basic Animation: A simple 2D walkthrough demonstrating how to install a wall mount with minimal motion and static illustrations. The focus is on clear, step-by-step instructions with minimal rendering time.
• Highly Detailed Animation: A fully immersive 3D animation showing a complex mechanical system being installed, complete with realistic textures, lighting effects, dynamic perspectives, and intricate mechanical movements. Such animations provide high visual clarity but require extensive production resources.

Choosing the right level of complexity depends on budget, audience needs, and the level of detail required for effective instruction.

#2. Video Length

The length of an installation animation plays a crucial role in determining production time, explainer video cost, and audience engagement. While longer videos provide more detail, they also demand greater resources, while shorter videos are often more cost-effective and retain viewer attention better.

Why Longer Videos Require More Resources and Increase Costs

Creating longer videos demands more time, effort, and resources, increasing production costs. From animation and rendering to post-production work, each additional second adds complexity and requires greater investment.

• Increased Production Effort – Longer videos require more frames, additional animation sequences, and extended voiceover or text narration, increasing production complexity.
• Higher Rendering Time – More frames mean longer rendering times, especially for 3D animations with high levels of detail and special effects.
• Extended Post-Production Work – Editing, sound design, and visual enhancements take longer as the video duration increases, leading to higher labor and software costs.

Recommended Video Length for Optimal Engagement

Choosing the right video length is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and delivering information effectively. The ideal duration depends on the content’s complexity, with shorter videos best for quick overviews and longer ones suited for detailed instructions.

• 30-60 seconds: Best for quick overviews, product introductions, or simple installation steps. Ideal for marketing and social media.
• 1-3 minutes: Suitable for standard installation guides, providing enough time to cover key steps while keeping the viewer engaged.
• 3-5 minutes or longer: Necessary for complex installations requiring detailed instructions, but should be broken into segments to maintain audience attention.

Cost Comparison: Short vs. Long Explainer Videos

The explainer video costs varies significantly based on their length and complexity. Shorter videos are more budget-friendly, while longer ones require additional resources, leading to higher production expenses.

• Short Videos (30-90 seconds): Lower cost due to fewer assets, shorter rendering times, and simpler animations. Typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 depending on complexity.
• Long Videos (3-5+ minutes): More expensive as they require additional animation work, voiceover, and post-production. Costs can range from $2,800 to $4,500 or more for highly detailed 3D animations.

Keeping videos concise and focused helps optimize explainer video cost and engagement while ensuring clarity in installation instructions.

#3. Scriptwriting and Storyboarding

A well-crafted script and storyboard are essential for managing the explainer video cost while ensuring an effective installation animation. The script shapes the narrative flow, simplifying complex processes and enhancing engagement. A clear and logical script improves viewer retention and reduces unnecessary revisions.

Storyboarding visually maps out the script, defining key scenes, camera angles, and transitions. A detailed storyboard streamlines production, minimizing unexpected costs and revisions. The more precise the storyboard, the smoother the workflow, optimizing time and resources.

Companies can choose between hiring professional scriptwriters or using a DIY approach. While professionals ensure a polished, audience-focused script, DIY methods may lower initial costs but often lead to more revisions, potentially increasing the explainer video cost in the long run.

The level of detail in a storyboard also significantly impacts animation pricing. Basic storyboards with rough sketches provide a general direction but may require multiple adjustments during production. In contrast, highly detailed storyboards with precise scene breakdowns, motion cues, and camera movements allow animators to work more efficiently, minimizing unexpected changes and additional costs. Investing in a well-structured script and storyboard ultimately improves the quality of the final animation while optimizing production time and budget.

E-Commerce product videos with 3D animation bring products to life, showcasing details, functionality, and features in a visually engaging way.

#4. Voiceover and Sound Design

The explainer video cost is significantly influenced by voiceover and sound design, both of which enhance engagement and clarity in an installation animation. Several factors affect the cost and quality of this component.

1. Professional Voice Actors vs. AI-Generated Voices:

• Professional voice actors offer natural intonation, emotional depth, and industry expertise, ensuring a high-quality narration. However, their rates vary based on experience and regional recognition.
• AI-generated voices provide a budget-friendly alternative with quick turnaround times. While improving in realism, they may lack the nuanced expression of human narration.

2. Background Music and Sound Effects:

• Custom-composed music strengthens brand identity and uniqueness but adds to production costs.
• Royalty-free or licensed music is a more affordable option while still enhancing the animation.
• Sound effects help clarify actions and improve engagement, requiring careful selection and placement.

3. Localization and Multilingual Voiceovers:

• Hiring native-speaking voice actors for international markets ensures authenticity but increases production expenses.
• AI-driven multilingual voiceover solutions offer a cost-effective alternative for reaching broader audiences.

Balancing these elements helps maintain a high-quality production while managing costs effectively.

#5. Revisions and Customization

Revisions and customization play a crucial role in shaping the explainer video cost and production timeline for an installation animation. While unlimited revisions may seem beneficial, they often extend timelines and drive up costs, whereas limited revisions help maintain budget and schedule efficiency.

Customization levels also heavily impact costs. Fully custom animations, designed to align with specific branding and messaging, require more time and resources than pre-made templates, which offer a cost-effective but less distinctive alternative. Adding branding elements such as logos, custom color schemes, and unique design features further increases production complexity, ensuring brand consistency but raising overall expenses.

Balancing revisions, customization, and branding needs is key to producing a high-quality animation that meets creative goals while keeping the explainer video cost within budget.

#6. Additional Cost Considerations

Beyond the core animation production, several factors can impact overall costs. Elements like turnaround time, licensing fees, and platform optimization can influence the budget, often requiring additional resources. Understanding these aspects ensures efficient planning and cost management throughout the production process:

• Turnaround Time: Expedited production requires additional resources and typically comes with higher fees compared to standard timelines.
• Licensing Fees: Costs may increase when using premium or exclusive stock assets, such as images, video clips, and soundtracks.
• Platform Optimization: Animations tailored for different platforms (e.g., social media, websites, presentations) may require adjustments in formatting, aspect ratios, and resolution, adding to production expenses.

Considering these factors helps ensure a smooth production process while staying within budget.

The explainer video cost installation depends on factors like animation complexity, length, scriptwriting, voiceover, revisions, and additional fees. To stay within budget, define project requirements early, prioritize essential features, and balance quality with cost.

While cost-saving measures help, working with professionals ensures a polished, engaging, and effective final product that enhances your brand and streamlines communication. Looking for a professional, cost-effective installation animation? Our expert 3D animation services can bring your vision to life with stunning visuals and seamless storytelling.

Ian Diev

Content Writer, Editor at CGIFurniture

Ian loves writing about innovative 3D technologies and their impact on product design and marketing. In his spare time, he makes indie music, watches obscure movies, and cooks culinary masterpieces for friends.

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