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Most companies come up with questions to ask a video production company that stop at three: how much, how fast, can you start Monday: how much, how fast, can you start Monday. Those get you a price and a date. They do not get you a partner who will not blow your timeline or hand you a file you cannot actually use. For what it is worth, you will not need to ask us the price question first, our pricing calculator gives you a real range before you ever pick up the phone. I have sat through intake calls where the client asks great budget questions and zero questions about what happens after delivery, and that is exactly where projects go sideways.
So here is a real list of questions to ask a video production company before you sign, the ones that actually predict whether the next three months go smooth or turn into a headache.
Questions about scope and process
1. Who exactly is on my shoot day, and is that the same person editing? 2. What does your pre-production process actually look like, script, shot list, shoot plan? 3. How many revision rounds are included, and what happens after that? 4. What is your realistic turnaround time, not the best-case one?
Ownership and usage
5. Do we own the final video outright, or is this a licensed use? 6. Do we get the raw footage, or only the edited deliverable? 7. Can we reuse this footage for future projects without additional fees?
Reliability
8. Can we see a project that is similar in scope to ours, not just your best highlight reel? 9. What happens if our timeline shifts, are there kill fees or rescheduling costs? 10. Who is our point of contact if something goes wrong mid-project? 11. Do you carry liability insurance for on-site shoots? Most commercial venues in DC will require this, and a company that has never been asked is a company that has not shot many commercial venues. 12. What is the one thing clients are usually surprised by after working with you?
That last one is my favorite question to actually get asked, BUT almost nobody asks it. It tells you more about a working relationship than any polished answer to ‘what makes you different.’
Why these questions to ask a video production company matter more than price
At the end of the day, price differences between reputable companies are usually explainable. What is not easily fixable after the fact is a usage dispute, a missed deadline with no clear recourse, or footage you cannot legally reuse. Ask the uncomfortable questions early. It is a lot cheaper than asking them after you have already paid.
Curious how we would answer these for your project? Start with our corporate video production page, or just ask us directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to ask about kill fees before signing?
No, it is standard. Any established production company expects this question and should have a clear answer ready.
Should every production company be insured?
For commercial shoots, especially in venues and government-adjacent buildings, yes. The Better Business Bureau recommends the same vetting instinct for any service provider: verify insurance and get references before signing, not after. Ask for a certificate of insurance if the venue requires one, most professional companies can provide this without issue.
What is a red flag answer to these questions?
Vague answers, especially around ownership and revisions. A company that cannot clearly explain what you get and what happens if something changes is telling you how they will handle a disagreement later.
Ready to ask us these questions yourself? We would rather you ask up front. See our corporate video production process.
