Can you do CGI for a pre-application meeting on a budget?
Yes. You can get CGI for a pre-application meeting from $199 per image, and the final price depends on scope. The condition that matters is a tight brief. Pick one or two views that show the planning officer what the scheme does to the street, and send clear drawings. Everything else can wait for the full application.
Pick the fewest views that make your case
Start with one or two views. This kind of meeting is a conversation, not a decision. The officer wants to see massing, height and how the scheme sits beside its neighbors.
A single street-level exterior often does that job. Add an aerial view only if the wider context is the concern. Each extra image adds cost.
Ask yourself what the officer will question first. Then render that angle. A view that answers the likely objection is worth more than five generic ones.
For a larger scheme, a second view can show the relationship with the nearest buildings. For a small scheme, one good image is usually enough.
Match the finish to the meeting
Concept-stage CGI does not need every detail. Say so in the brief. Tell us the scheme is early and the materials are indicative.
Planting, people and street furniture can stay simple. This keeps the image focused on form, scale and fit. It also keeps the cost down.
Save the polished finish for the submission. If a view must be accurate for a formal application, that is a different job. It needs survey data and a stricter method. How a verified view is produced explains what that involves.
For the meeting itself, a clear and honest concept image is usually enough.
Send inputs that avoid rework
Clear inputs are the cheapest saving you can make. We work from CAD, Revit or SketchUp drawings, reference images and material lists.
Send plans, elevations and at least one site photo. Mark the viewpoints you want. Name the materials, even if only roughly.
If the model is rough, tell us which parts are fixed and which may still change. Missing information leads to guesswork. Guesswork leads to extra rounds.
A short note on the key concern also helps. For example, you might say the neighbors worry about height. We can then frame the view to show that point fairly.
Keep revisions to a short, planned loop
Work is delivered in rounds, with your markups guiding each one. Fewer, better rounds keep a small budget intact.
Gather all comments from your team before you send them. Conflicting notes from several people slow everything down. Decide in advance who signs off.
Avoid changing the design mid-render. If the scheme moves, tell us before work starts. A change after delivery counts as new scope.
Our hours overlap with US and UK mornings. Questions can be settled quickly during your working day.
What it costs and what to do next
Renders start from $199 per image. The final price depends on scope. View complexity, level of detail and the number of images all matter.
To get a quote, send your drawings and a line about the meeting through the contact page. You can also use WhatsApp on +1 469 392 4389.
For a fuller picture of how scope affects cost, see our rendering pricing. A tight brief is the best way to keep the number low.
