Short answer: one shoot day can pay more than a month of rent. Real answer: it depends. Here are the published numbers, and the eight things that move yours up or down.
The ballpark
| Type of day | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| TV or film shoot day | $5,000 to $10,000 | Andrea Raisfeld Locations, 2017 |
| Filming day, NJ homes | $5,000 to $7,000 | New Jersey Monthly, 2023 |
| Prep day | About $2,000 | New Jersey Monthly, 2023 |
| Print (photo) shoot day | About $3,000 | Andrea Raisfeld Locations, 2017 |
| Mansion on a marketplace | $300 to $500 an hour typical in big cities, with minimums | Giggster, 2020 |
These are reported ranges, not quotes. Every production sets its own budget.
8 things that set your number
1Type of production
A network series or feature pays more than a catalog shoot or a student film.
2Number of days
Shoot days pay the most. Prep and wrap days add to the total at a lower rate.
3Hours and overtime
A day covers a set number of hours. Every hour past that is overtime.
4Crew size
A crew of 10 and a crew of 100 are not the same day. More people, more wear, higher fee.
5How much of the house
One kitchen scene costs less than the whole house, the grounds and the driveway.
6The standout feature
A pool, a grand room, a stone facade, a private road. Rare looks command more.
7Distance to New York City
Homes within about 30 miles of Manhattan save productions travel costs, so they book more often.
8Who sits in the middle
Marketplaces and agencies take a share. Booking direct keeps more of the fee in the deal.
How to land the top of the range
- Lead with great photos. Bright, wide shots of every room. Scouts book what they can see.
- Know your yes and no. Which rooms, how many people, what hours. Clear rules make quick deals.
- Price every day. Shoot, prep, wrap, overtime and a refundable deposit, all in writing.
- Ask for the COI first. Professional productions expect it, and it protects your home.
Find out what your home is worth
Tell us about your house and we will tell you how productions are likely to use it and what to ask for. New to all this? Start with how to rent your house for film shoots.
Sources
- Gary Phillips, "How Scores of New Jerseyans Get Their Homes in Movies and TV Shows," New Jersey Monthly, April 19, 2023
- "Filming In Westchester Homes: What Location Scouts and Homeowners Should Know," Visit Westchester, October 26, 2017
- Berkeley M. Clock, "Mansion Rental Costs," Giggster, November 9, 2020