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Understanding 3D Exterior Rendering

Understanding 3D Exterior Rendering

Introduction

In the new construction and real estate industries, having an accurate visual representation of your building plans is key to success. These models not only help secure funding for larger projects and commercial builds, but also attract potential investors by showing off your project's potential. 

3D exterior renderings are great for this purpose, as they provide detailed and realistic images. These can also help get spec homes listed on the MLS more quickly for pre-sale purchasing. They offer a clear preview of the final product, speeding up the decision-making process for buyers.

If you haven’t created or used 3D exterior renders before, the process might seem murky and expensive. But it's worth knowing that advances in technology have made these tools more accessible than ever. In this article we intend to break down what exactly a 3D render is, how you can have one made for your project, and the costs involved. 

We’ll walk you through the various stages of creating a 3D rendering, from choosing the right company to collaborating with the skilled designers who can bring your vision to life. We’ll also explore the many benefits of using 3D exterior renderings, like improving project communication, enhancing marketing efforts, and ultimately boosting sales potential. By the time you finish reading, we hope you’ll have a solid understanding of how 3D exterior renderings can improve many aspects of your business.

What are 3D Exterior Renderings?

First, let's explore what a 3D exterior render actually is. Say you have blueprints and architectural plans for your new construction home. You also have ideas for the final exterior finishes of the home, like siding, paint color, roofing material and color; and sidewalk placement. You may even have a landscaping plan in mind or on paper. With these details, you can bring them to a digital architecture firm and have them create a 3D exterior render for you. In 1-2 weeks (depending on the workload and turnaround time of the firm you choose), you’ll have an ultra-realistic and lifelike visualization of what your project will look like when it's completed. They’ll be delivered to your email, or a gallery where you can download them, and they’ll likely be regular .jpg files. 

With this, you can have a beautiful, photo-realistic illustration of your new build. You can even create different iterations that show alternate paint colors and finishes. You can also adjust the sky - showing the home at dusk, daytime and dawn. The variations you can have created are truly endless.  With these in hand, you’ll be able to offer more effective presentations to potential investors and buyers that showcase your construction plans. Since the renderings are high-definition, you can blow them up and print them out for brochures or to complement a presentation. 

The Purpose and Benefits of 3D Exterior Renderings

In the competitive world of construction and real estate development, builders quickly learn that securing funding for their projects often  hinges on their ability to deliver an engaging presentation. A quality presentation can effectively convey the vision, scope, and potential ROI of a project to investors. This means using tools like 3D exterior renderings to create lifelike visualizations can really boost investor confidence and ultimately boost your chances of securing the essential funds needed to bring your development projects to life.

For builders of single family housing developments, 3D exterior renders can help get the different home models up on the MLS for pre-sale. A real estate listing showcasing only blueprints is pretty uninspiring, and potential buyers often lack vision. Getting exterior renders that show how the finished home will actually look can really improve your sales pipeline and outcomes. Research has shown that without a clear, detailed visualization home buyers don’t have a firm grasp on how the final build will look.

Along similar lines, having the capability to show potential buyers the different exterior finishes their home could have goes a long way in securing their interest and ultimately, the sale. Buyers of new construction homes love having a “say” in the options of their future home. When builders and their agents can showcase them in an accessible way, both sides of the party benefit.

How to Obtain 3D Exterior Renderings

Until recently, obtaining a 3D rendering for your project was a complicated process. Your architect or architecture firm probably did not include this as part of the plans they provide. Chances are, they did not even include the option for renderings because it was not something they specialize in. They may have given you a referral to a different architecture company, or maybe a graphic designer. And then, obtaining  a clear price and timeline from that person or organization was a challenge. 

Thankfully, talented 3D graphic artists and digital architecture specialists noticed this annoying gap in the market. The goal in mind was this:

  • Create a seamless, simple pathway for builders and real estate developers to obtain 3D exterior renderings for an affordable price and with a quick turnaround

They do this by collecting  a small set of easy-to-access information including:

  • Desired paint color
  • Desired siding material
  • Desired roofing material and color
  • Landscaping plan
  • Lighting plan
  • Number of views of the home
    • Options include front, rear, sides and top-down

With this limited information, builders can now quickly obtain a price and timeline quote for their 3D exterior rendering. The turnaround time can be as fast as 3 business days. A more typical timeline is 5-7 business days. 

With so many of these digital architecture companies popping up, it’s important to properly vet the service you’re considering. Typically, they’ll have an online portfolio of work they’ve completed for others, as well as reviews on sites like Trustpilot and Google.

Cost of 3D Exterior Renderings

Many of the companies offering 3D rendering services are not clear on their pricing. Yes, there are different factors that can influence the price. However, they know what their cost is and if they chose to, they could easily provide a ballpark price of exterior rendering very quickly and easily for most projects. Luxury Staging Pro is one company that makes obtaining a price really easy by filling out this form. The good news is, with this company the price is probably cheaper than you think. Typically, it’s between $300 - $600 for the rendering and one view (usually the front view), and then an additional $100 - $200 per additional view. These prices are for 1-3 level homes. A condo building or commercial structure will cost more. But, don’t let your architectural firm charge you thousands more for the exact same product!.

What’s Included in a 3D Exterior Rendering Package?

As we mentioned earlier, the industry standard is to include the 3D rendering with one view for a flat fee. Additional views will incur an additional cost, but it's important to show the home or structure from several angles.  The price would (or should!) include at least a couple rounds of revisions. If you don’t like the paint color you chose after all, for example. Or you’d like to see how it would look with white shutters instead of black, or with a curved walkway instead of straight. These customizations are typically included in the original price you paid. Just be mindful to ask for all the revisions you’d like in one round, at one time. It’s extra time consuming if you ask for white shutters, and then before the revision has been returned to you, ask for the curved walkway, as well. Take some time to study the images and write down everything you’d like to see in a revision. Then, send the information to your rendering project manager. 

It’s also helpful to not stretch the limits of the “free revisions” perk by asking for endless rounds of revisions. Typically, 0-3 rounds should be enough to change/fix everything you’d like. 

Other things that are typically included as part of the exterior rendering package (if you choose to include them) are: 

  • People
  • Cars
  • Outdoor Furniture (such as on a pool deck or patio)
  • Lighting
  • Landscaping (grass, plants you choose, rockery) 
  • Hardscaping

Although there are many factors that can go into building your 3D rendering, it really isn’t complicated to price-out. Any company that’s trying to charge extra for any of these things,  or is trying to make it seem like rendering is a process shrouded in mystery is not being very truthful. 


Conclusion

In conclusion, integrating 3D exterior renderings into project planning and marketing offers significant benefits. These visual tools provide a clear view of a project's potential, helping investors envision the final result, thus improving communication and bridging the gap between complex ideas and tangible results. By using 3D renderings, builders can tell engaging stories that resonate with both the logical and emotional sides of their audience, enhancing project presentations.

Additionally, 3D exterior renderings can greatly boost marketing efforts. In today’s visual world, striking images can attract potential buyers. They allow exploration of various design options, helping teams refine their vision and align with market trends. With advanced rendering technology now accessible, adopting these tools is essential in construction and real estate.

In a competitive landscape, consider 3D renderings essential to your project planning and marketing strategies. These tools offer aesthetic appeal and practical benefits, improving communication, aiding decision-making, and supporting sales. Incorporating 3D exterior renderings can set your projects apart and connect with your target audience.

We encourage you to explore professional rendering services with Luxury Staging Pro to enhance your project marketing. The expertise of professionals can elevate your projects by capturing impactful details. Whether starting fresh or enhancing existing plans, professional 3D renderings can be crucial. Partner with a reliable service to advance your project confidently. Embrace 3D visualization and watch your vision come to life.

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