How much will it cost?
It’s a question we’re asked almost every time we start on a new commission. How much would it cost to build…?
The answer is that the cost will depend on many factors. Building a LEGO model is like building any other structure. How large, fast, solid etc - all have an impact.
There are alway a few questions we will ask to get a good idea of how the project might be delivered. We’ll explain a few of these here.
I’m afraid this is a long read, but building our models is a long process!
Our types of projects
It’s worth mentioning at the start how we decide to price models. Generally, we’ll decide if a project is ‘small’ or ‘large’. Our definitions are probably a little different to yours though! What is important is how this affects the way we generate the price.
Large Projects
Will include any project over 1 meter in height
Will include any project that needs a steel armature or other subcontractors
Will require time to be allocated in our diary
Usually take more than 3 months to complete.
Requires something extra than just the model build such as a complex installation
Essentially, will include any project that has some unknown element at the start.
Small Projects
Are always under 1 meter in height
Don’t require any steelwork or other external suppliers
Can be scheduled around other works
Usually take less than 3 months to complete
Can be delivered by us and installed fairly easily
Essentially, we know everything we need to in order to price up the project.
For all large projects, we will propose a minimum of a 2 phase approach.
We will quote you a fixed cost for the first phase - which will be to design the model.
We will quote you an indicative (estimate) cost for the following phases - to actually build the model.
For all small projects, we will quote you a fixed price for the project at the start.
This means that unless you change the scope of the project, your costs will not change.
The only exception to this would be courier or travel costs, which are always billed back at cost - but can change over time.
This two-phase approach gives us the chance to answer any unknown questions, such as what the cost of a steel framework might be. Once we’ve finished the design phase, we can then give you an accurate build cost, which will usually again be a fixed price.
Only once you agree the price for the build phase will we start ordering materials, subcontractors etc. This means you can decide not to go ahead if the project becomes too complex. If necessary, we will propose extending this to a third phase. This might include mutliple installations, touring etc.
So, depending on the project, we may suggest a different way to approach the build. Remember that we’ve a qualified project manager on board so we’re used to dealing with big, large and lengthy projects in multiple phases. If you need us to do full PRINCE II project management of a project - we can do that. But you don’t have to. You can leave it in our hands and be sure it will turn up on time.
Nearly everything that affects the cost will affect both types of project though, so it’s worth thinking it all through at the start. Lets start with some easy ones!
To Glue or not to Glue?
An example model, designed to be taken to exhibitions. This is 100% glued.
This is the question! For most projects, your model will be glued. This will make sure that it won’t fall apart (important!) but also makes sure that the model will be stable, no matter the temperature or vibration of where it’s displayed. Unglued models will slowly over time expand and contact with the heat, which can work the bricks apart. Gluing a model prevents this.
A museum model that will, likely, never leave the room we delivered it into. This is unglued.
In some instances we will offer the model unglued. That is usually because we know that the model won’t be transported and will have a fixed environment. Museums are good examples of this.
Gluing a model does increase the price. The solvent that we use to chemically weld the bricks together eats into the bricks. So once we’ve applied the ‘glue’ - we can’t reuse the brick at all. After a few hours, we’ll need a hammer and chisel to get them apart! The knock-on effect of this is that we need to have a finished design before we start the build. That means the build will take longer and hence be more costly. But it will be worth it as your model will then essentially last forever.
Paimon - A model with LEGO standard white and blue, but custom ‘Salmon’ colours.
Colour
Believe it or not, the colours we use can have a significant impact on the price of your build. Especially if we’re building in LEGO brand bricks. In fact, colour is so important - we have a whole extra article on it here.
We can break this down into two sections though, depending on the brand of bricks we use.
Non LEGO brand bricks -
PRO: There is no impact on price to choose any ‘standard’ colour.
PRO: Special colours are available but are subject to minimum orders.
CON: We don’t hold many of these bricks in stock, so they are all subject to longer lead times. Usually a minimum of 2 weeks, but this can go up to 8 weeks.
LEGO brand bricks -
PRO: Easily available and colour consistency is very good between batches
PRO: We keep a much larger selection of these in stock and can quickly restock
CON: The colour of a brick VERY much affects its cost. Rare parts, or parts that were never officially available in that colour can be extremely expensive.
A very ‘blocky’ build - designed so that it was obvious it was made from bricks
Style
There are many ways to build a model. We can make life-like replicas, or LEGO interpretations of a model. This is also a larger topic, so we have more detail about it here. Usually we’ll recommend a style that will work best for your use of the model. We’ll also bear in mind the size you want the model as that might suggest a certain style.
In general, a ‘LEGO-like’ build, which is more blocky, will cost less than a more detailed build.
We’ll usually suggest ‘LEGO-like’ builds for larger models, or models that can only be seen from a distance. Otherwise it won’t be obvious the model is made from bricks.
Now for the big question - size.
3 ships. Well, two in bricks and one real ship!
Size is usually the first description of a model we’ll be given. “We’d like a model 2m tall” or “to fit on this 1m x 6m space”. Size is certainly important and it can be one thing that has the largest impact on cost. Which is why I’ve left it until last!
We’ll usually speak to you about what you intend on doing with the model. Will it tour to different places? Is it going to be permanently installed? What is the most important element of the build? All these things will let us propose a size that might work best.
Firstly, there are a few important things to think about when it comes to size:
Length
Is not normally too much of an issue. We would suggest nothing is longer than about 2 meters as it can cause issues moving around in trucks etc.
Width
A standard doorway is about 800mm wide. Most of our models don’t like being transported on their sides, so it’s worth bearing this restriction in mind. If needs be, we can build models that are designed to be tilted on their side. Like this one. Or we can build a model in sections for you (that’s how our large touring models travel)
Height
We will recommend a steel support for any model over a meter high. We will require one for any model 2 meters high or more. At this size, the model is easily heavy enough to cause serious injury if it falls over. No-one wants that!
Similarly, most doorways are about 2m tall. So if a model is going to be bigger than this - then we’d strongly suggest it’s built in sections. These will then require a fork lift or lifting gantry to assemble.
If the model is being transported at all (including from us to you), anything with a final packed height over 2.4m gets very awkward and expensive to move. Above that height, road transport needs special trucks and air transport some very special planes (747 Freighters or Antonov 124s). And yes, we have had to arrange this for some clients!
Volume
Our models are made of bricks - and every one is placed individually by hand. So, more bricks = more time = higher cost.
The important point to remember about volume is that our builds are mostly in 3D. So, doubling the height of a model also increases the width and length by a factor of two. This means that a model twice the height can use eight times as many bricks. Obviously, if we can make a structure hollow we can - but you can see how much larger the project instantly becomes!
So, how does this all affect the cost? Well, generally the larger the model the higher the cost. There’s also another factor that size influences - particularly height. Above a certain height we will require the model to have a steel armature inside. For any structural element, this armature will be need to be professionally made.
For our steel armatures, we will work with our structural engineers, fabricators and finishers to design and build the structure. This is one of the big reasons we can’t give you a fixed cost at the start. These calculations can be complex and take some time, but they will be required to make sure the model meets health and safety standards. Getting these designs right also means a longer project timeline. This will add at least a month to the timescale and if the project is complex, 2-3 months.
Finally, you’ve probably guessed this - but a bigger model is heavier than a smaller one. The DFDS ship for instance, weighed 2500Kg (excluding the lorry it was permanently mounted to). The Paimon figure above weighed 400Kg though. A much smaller model, but steelwork strong enough to support her properly added a lot to the weight.
OK - so just tell me - how much is this going to cost me?
Well, as you can see - there are a lot of factors that will impact the cost. If your project is large or complex, we might not even be able to give you a final price. However, I hate it as much as anyone when a supplier won’t give me an idea of price. So…
Very small builds, such as gifts, small exhibition models or mosaics - are usually around the £1000 - £5000 range. These are the sorts of project we’ll plan in days.
Most of our ‘small’ builds are in the £5000 - £15,000 range. This will include models like the museum ones above - something in the 1m x 1m range. These projects will be planned in terms of weeks.
Our larger projects tend to start from £20,000 upwards. This would include a ‘life size person’ for instance, which we are very often asked to quote on. These projects are now in terms of months. Usually 3-6 months.
The flagship projects, or those with very special requirements tend to start around £50,000 and go up from there. We have delivered £100,000+ projects for customers and one project with a budget of £1,000,000. These projects are extremely rare though and take around 6-12 months to deliver.
Prices are valid as of 2022 and heavily subject to change.
Of course, as every project is priced individually the best thing we can do is to talk it over and decide what works best for you.
Let’s chat!
