Full Version: What is a reasonable price range for a custom skin
I can't find a pre-made skin that suits my board (a comic book board) and I, well, looking at my skin it's obvious I have no real design talent. What would be a reasonable price to pay for a custom skin? $50? $100? $500? More? I'm just trying to determine if it's something I could do (being a non-income producing hobby board).
I think it starts with 50$-75$ depending on who you ask, but goes up to 500$. It all depends on what you want and the effort it takes to make it at all. There isnīt realy an exact price you can tell IMO.
That's what I'm looking for, thanks. Just a rough ballpark figure. So, if I shop around, I may be able to get someone to make one for $100-$150 providing it's nothing terribly fancy. Heck, I'd be happy with someone just taking my existing design and streamlining it, at this point.
It absolutely depends on what you want.
All pricing is different depending on the company, and the project. Kris', estimate is only what he would charge, and is not represenative of the actual market.
You will pay more to have it done by a professional company, than by a hobbist. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
I know it's not the info you were looking for but it's the truth.
All pricing is different depending on the company, and the project. Kris', estimate is only what he would charge, and is not represenative of the actual market.
You will pay more to have it done by a professional company, than by a hobbist. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
I know it's not the info you were looking for but it's the truth.
True, but being made by a 'hobbist' doesnt has to mean its looking ugly, isnt good coded or anything like that at all. Had to add that point.
QUOTE(Kris Guerra @ Apr 4 2005, 03:12 PM)
I think it starts with 50$-75$ depending on who you ask, but goes up to 500$. It all depends on what you want and the effort it takes to make it at all. There isnīt realy an exact price you can tell IMO.
I've known custom skins above $500.
For what it's worth, EnderAKH, I think your skin is fine. I've seen much, much worse. I do agree with you that it could be touched up a bit, though, and that shouldn't cost much.
I know there is an open end for custom skins, but he asked for a very rough price view and i gave it him. Basicly it can cost everything. Its up to the creater, his skill and what the person requests.
And a skin made by a professional isn't necessairely better then one made by a hobbiest.
A lot of people call themselves professional because they have a company, but it sais very little about their actual skills.
When you search for skinners, both professional or hobbiest, let your eyes be the judge and also ask clients if they are happy with what they got.
A talented hobbiest who knows his stuff could create you something better for a cheaper price.
It's like buying a car, you first define what you want, and then you search for the car that meets your desires for a price that is honest
A lot of people call themselves professional because they have a company, but it sais very little about their actual skills.
When you search for skinners, both professional or hobbiest, let your eyes be the judge and also ask clients if they are happy with what they got.
A talented hobbiest who knows his stuff could create you something better for a cheaper price.
It's like buying a car, you first define what you want, and then you search for the car that meets your desires for a price that is honest
QUOTE(Kris Guerra @ Apr 4 2005, 09:36 AM)
True, but being made by a 'hobbist' doesnt has to mean its looking ugly, isnt good coded or anything like that at all. Had to add that point.
And where exactly did I imply or say that?
QUOTE(Zoruglu @ Apr 4 2005, 10:24 AM)
And a skin made by a professional isn't necessairely better then one made by a hobbiest.
A lot of people call themselves professional because they have a company, but it sais very little about their actual skills.
When you search for skinners, both professional or hobbiest, let your eyes be the judge and also ask clients if they are happy with what they got.
A talented hobbiest who knows his stuff could create you something better for a cheaper price.
It's like buying a car, you first define what you want, and then you search for the car that meets your desires for a price that is honest
A lot of people call themselves professional because they have a company, but it sais very little about their actual skills.
When you search for skinners, both professional or hobbiest, let your eyes be the judge and also ask clients if they are happy with what they got.
A talented hobbiest who knows his stuff could create you something better for a cheaper price.
It's like buying a car, you first define what you want, and then you search for the car that meets your desires for a price that is honest
Again, I never said that one was better than the other.
I've done skins for Ģ200 before but they have been very heavily modified for a specific audience and integrated into a site (not a portal) but I've also done skins for nothing because I like making them
I'd suggest a professional designer would charge more simply because they have other costs to consider where the hobbyist can sit at home and work on the skin. Still, I've seen some pretty amazing "hobby" skins and some pretty shoddy skins done for higher cost.
I'd suggest a professional designer would charge more simply because they have other costs to consider where the hobbyist can sit at home and work on the skin. Still, I've seen some pretty amazing "hobby" skins and some pretty shoddy skins done for higher cost.
I asked for quotes from all the main ipb skin makers and got quotes from around $150 to $350. Seems to be the range for a completely customs skin.
It all depends, the best of the best can cost more than $1,000, but that includes the design and code. If the design has been created, and coding is all that is needed, it would all depend on the depth of the design. If you decide to purchase from anyone but a professional, make sure the design sticks to standards and displays or degrades well in all browsers.
One problem I've noticed on a lot of other forums about coding skins, like webhostingtalk or the like... is that people will use Photoshop's slice tool... which will not only increase loading time by placing so many tables as a header and footer, but is very hard to maintain and make updates.
100 USD+
totally depends though!
totally depends though!
QUOTE(rwx @ Apr 4 2005, 04:27 PM)
One problem I've noticed on a lot of other forums about coding skins, like webhostingtalk or the like... is that people will use Photoshop's slice tool... which will not only increase loading time by placing so many tables as a header and footer, but is very hard to maintain and make updates.
Exactly so, which is why there is a huge difference in what "professional" i.e will change templates, CSS, etc, and hobbyist (will make colour and graphics changes) will charge. This is not to say that some people who only rarely make skins don't change templates etc, it's an overall view of the market.
As some one said above, the largest single quote l have ever seen was $1500 for a vBulletin skin
, smallest custom quote $70.As Jimmy states, it depends entirely on your requirement, how busy the skinner is (a lot of the top skinners are now charging higher end to cut down on requests), and time frames involved.
Good luck with getting what you want, hope you find something at an acceptable price. Have a vague notion some one did a comic book style one, wasn't us btw :dunno:
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