How much does a model cost?
A model is not a mass product and very labor-intensive to make. Therefore models are expensive. How expensive then? Unfortunately, I cannot answer this question right away. Standardization of prices is unfortunately impossible in our industry, so you won’t find a price list on this page. If you want to know how much your model will cost at Minitec, you must request for a quotation. Each model is different and the price depends on many factors. (If you scroll down this page you can read more about this.) It is undeniably true that Minitec, due to its small scale, can keep its secondary costs low - and therefore will often have better prices than larger firms.
Quotation guaranteed free of charge
The offers of Minitec are completely free of charge and you won’t be stuck to anything, if you decide not to go through with it. Guaranteed. A reaction from your side, though, is very much appreciated, even if you decide not to go through with Minitec. After all, a quotation for a model is tailor made and it takes quite some time to make it, especially when dealing with complex projects. However if you have serious plans for a model to be built, please do not hesitate to request a quotation and go to the contact page, where you will find a contactform. If you want to send attachments along with your email right away, then you can use the email address, that you will find on the same page.
Terms and Conditions
Minitec has deposited her general terms and conditions at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and these apply to all the models and quotations of Minitec. They are always added to a quotation, but you can also view them by clicking on the link in the former sentence. (They have not been translated yet to English.)
Required information
The required information for a quotation differs by project. For putting together a bid, basically all the drawings are required that would also be used to make the model. The only difference is that they can be delivered to Minitec as a PDF. Below is a list of the required information to make an offer for an architectural model with environment. However, Minitec often makes a bid with less information, after a telephone conversation with the customer, so if you do not have everything complete, please contact Minitec by email or by telephone.
Floorplans- Cross sections
- Facades
- Details
- Situation drawing showing the boundaries
- Photographs or drawings of surrounding buildings
- Desired scale
- Colors and materials state
- Impressions (if available)
- Specific requirements (if applicable)
Factors that will affect the price of a model
Scale
Generally speaking: the larger the scale of the model, the more expensive the model. After all, more details must be added to a model on a large scale. More material is needed as well. However, it is too simple to say that the ratio between scale and price is linear, because detailing on a smaller scale will often be more challenging and will require more patience and craftsmanship than on a larger scale.
Measurements
The dimensions of a model are on the one hand determined by the actual size of the site or the building and on the other hand by the scale. The larger the size of a model, the higher the material costs. The smaller the size the more manageable and the faster it can be displaced, during the production process. But again, detailing on a smaller scale is often more difficult and will raise the price.
Design
The architecture also influences the price. For example round, curved, spherical and ‘organic’ shapes are more difficult to make than flat and rectangular ones. The more indentations, like loggias, have to be made or the more outstanding parts, such as balconies, galleries and canopies must be added, the higher the price will be. The number of details will have its repercussions on the costs as well. A sleek, modern façade is easier to make than a classic one with many ornaments and decoration.
Color
A monotonous model in only one color (for example white) is obviously faster to make than a full color model. The more colors being used in the model, the more expensive it will be. Nowadays, the trend in Dutch inner-city projects is to give the façade of every single house in one building block a different color. This means a lot of additional work for model makers and consequently higher expenses.
The choice of material
Some materials are cheaper than others, although a cheaper material can be harder to process than a more expensive product. Therefore, the purchasing costs must also be weighed against the processing costs. What is important as well - especially if your model has a commercial purpose – is which materials respond best to the desired appearance of the model.
Greenery
The more greenery, the more expensive the model will become. The etched trees that Minitec uses for its realistic models, are quite expensive and it also takes time to drill holes and put them onto the model. When a design includes a lot of trees, Minitec will allocate them as a separate provisional sum in the quotation.
Accessories
Accessories such as cars in urban models, figurines in architectural models or furniture in interior models can increase the price of a model, especially those with bigger scales. Thematic figurines, for example from Preiser, are quite expensive, not to mention accessories that are not standard and must be manufactured by Minitec. However, accessories can make or break a model and the additional costs for them will probably be worth it.
Specific requirements
If you have specific wishes for a model that are a bit out of the ordinary and the model maker can’t rely on his own experience, than this will certainly affect the price. He probably needs to make some test models or try different processing techniques. For example, if you want something special, such as real water in a model, the model maker first has to figure out which materials and finishing methods are resistant to it. It is only logical that this will come with additional costs.
Lighting
To enlighten a model is a lot of work. Not only must a light box be made underneath the model, but the light must be transported to the buildings as well. Therefore, buildings have to be made in a different, more elaborate way, and leakage of light must be prevented and eliminated. Especially the latter is a very labor-intensive job. Illuminating a model is therefore expensive, but the result is usually spectacular.
