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You’ve made good progress.
You’ve drafted a clear and comprehensive production brief.
You’ve shared it with several film production companies.
You’ve received their tenders and proposals.
Now comes the tricky part: choosing the team who will turn your idea into a video that really works.

Many proposals will look superficially similar – same buzzwords, glossy presentation, promises of high quality. That can make decision-making hard. Naturally, cost is a big factor. But if you choose a production company purely on price – without looking deeper – you might end up with a video that underperforms, or worse, fails. Expertise, experience, communication, and realistic planning count for just as much, if not more.

Here are some key questions you should ask when comparing video tenders and proposals. These will help you decide which team is best for you – not just the cheapest.

1. Do they provide a realistic production schedule?

  • Your brief (hopefully) includes key dates and deadlines. Any proposal you receive should respond with a detailed production schedule showing how they plan to meet those dates.
  • The schedule should break out the production stages, such as: pre-production, filming, editing, feedback/draft review, rough cuts, client approvals, and final delivery.
  • Be alert: some stages, especially approvals and feedback, depend heavily on you (the client). If multiple people need to sign off (“committee approval”, etc.), allow more time.
  • If the proposal promises something that seems too fast, it could mean they’re inexperienced, overly optimistic, or not accounting for real-world delays. A good schedule shows that they understand the process and have dealt with this before.
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2 Showreel

2. Is there a showreel? Are there testimonials or examples of similar work?

  • If you haven’t worked with this production company before, you should see their showreel. This gives you insight into style, quality, and what they deliver in reality – not just what they say in text.
  • Past work in similar sectors or for similar types of videos is especially useful. If they made videos for businesses like yours, that’s a good sign they understand your needs.

Testimonials from earlier clients are a bonus – they give you a view into how well the production company delivers on promises, handles timelines, communication, etc.

3. How good is their communication? Will they stay in touch?

  • Responsiveness is a key indicator. How quickly do they reply to your questions? How thorough are their responses?
  • Are they accessible? Will you have dedicated points of contact? How do they handle feedback and revisions?
  • Clear, regular communication helps avoid misunderstandings, scope creep, delays, and extra costs. If it feels difficult just to get basic information from them in the proposal stage, that might be a red flag.
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4. What does the budget actually cover?

A good proposal won’t just quote a lump sum – it should include a detailed cost breakdown. What are you being charged for, specifically? Be sure to ask:

  • Number of filming days
  • Days or hours of editing
  • How many revisions are included (often one round of adjustments is standard, extra ones may cost more)
  • Travel costs, accommodation, meals if needed
  • Any contingency or allowances for unexpected extras

If these elements are vague, missing, or buried, that’s dangerous. Hidden costs can creep in later if things weren’t clearly scoped.

Remember: the goal is value for money, not cheapest quote. A more expensive proposal may deliver much higher quality, better service, fewer headaches, and ultimately a stronger video that reflects your brand.

5. Putting it all together: making the right choice

Deciding which production company to commission for your video is not a small decision. The wrong choice can cost you time, money, and goodwill; the right one can set the stage for a video you – and your audience – will be proud of.

Here are some wrap – up tips:

  • Compare proposals not just by cost, but by overall fit: style, experience, communication, schedule, and budget clarity.
  • Ask for clarifications: if something in the proposal is vague or missing, ask. A good company will appreciate the questions and explain.
  • Think of the relationship: you want a partner who listens, keeps you informed, and is flexible enough to adapt if things change.
  • Finally, trust your instincts. If one proposal “feels” more solid, more professional, more in line with your expectations – even if it’s not the cheapest – that often counts for a lot.

A well-chosen video production company doesn’t just give you a product; they give you peace of mind. By carefully evaluating tenders with all the above in mind, you’ll avoid many of the common headaches and be much more likely to end up with a successful, exciting, effective video.

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