ICOTECT - FAQ

Common questions about ICOTECT, our studio and the process.
Just click on the section and find the answer. Feel free to have a chat with a client manager or send an email if you have any more questions left.

Getting Started

How do I start a project?
Contact us by sending an email, leaving a message, or filling a brief form. Send us the project files, and we will get back to you with a quote. Once you approve the quote, we can get started.

What files do I need to send to you to get started?
Generally, you can send any files of any kind that you want us to study. Although the most basic information is the architectural drawings, we can create 3D renderings from sketches only. Moreover, we've made project brief forms to make it easy for you to organize the data. Please take a look at the forms and you will understand what we need exactly.

Workflow & Turnaround

How complicated is the process?
Our process has been streamlined. Please go to our workflow page to have a clear look. In general, you just need to send us the input files and stay in touch. Our project manager will guide you throughout the whole process.

What is your typical turnaround time?
Typically, it usually takes us 1 week to complete several renders and 3-4 weeks for an animation. We deliver the initial draft renders 24-48 hours after the project is started. Subsequent rounds of correction usually take about 24 hours per round. However, it depends on many factors - the number of views, the length of animation, complexity, rounds of corrections, etc.

If you have a hard and tight deadline to catch, we shall make a schedule that is accurate to an hour and work overtime to help you manage it. To learn the particular turnaround time of your project, please send us a brief through our website. Our specialists will take into account all the requirements and analyze the turnaround time for you.

How many rounds of review are provided?
Unlimited. We do not limit the number of reviews as long as they are in good faith. However, it does NOT include major design changes that lead to substantial additional workloads.

When can I receive your first drafts?
The initial draft images will be sent 24-48 hours after the project gets started. The updates are generally sent 24-48 hours after receiving your comments. However, if you have a hard and tight deadline to catch, we shall make a schedule that is accurate to an hour and work overtime to help you manage it.

Pricing & Payment

How much does it cost?
The cost varies in each project. We need to study the project details and your requirements before making an accurate quote. Please do not hesitate to contact us to get a quotation.

Are corrections really free & unlimited?
Yes, corrections to your project are free & unlimited. By corrections we mean good-faith changes. It does NOT include major design changes that lead to substantial additional workloads - more than 50% of the project whole workload. If the changes exceed the limit, then we would consider it a new project and reevaluate the workload.

What payment methods do you accept?
Wire transfer (SWIFT), PayPal, Western Union.

Can I pay after I get the results?
No, but you can pay 50% upon the start of the project and the rest 50% after you approve the results. The final deliverables without our watermark can only be released after full payment is made. There are zero risks for you because if you look into our workflows, you'll see that you'll be able to make sure everything has met your requirements from start to finalization of the project.

Can I get a discount?
We can offer you a good discount if your monthly amount of payments exceeds a certain number. Please contact your client manager for more details. We are always open to discuss long-term partnership opportunities.

Confidentiality & Copyrights

Is my data safe with you?
We do not disclose any materials, files, or documents - i.e. the drawings - you send to us to create the renders and any correspondence between us.
For the end product, you can choose to have standard copyright - by default - or exclusive copyright. The standard copyright means that we will reserve the right to use the imagery we create for our marketing and advertising purposes - social media posts, brochures, blog articles, etc. The exclusive copyright, on the other hand, means that the results are your sole property, in which case we waive all rights to use the visual content you've got throughout the project for any purpose.

Can I have the source files (PSD or 3DS Max Models)?
We can provide PSD files at no additional cost if you need them. However, we do not offer 3ds Max models as they are considered to be part of our intellectual property. If you do need them, there will be an additional cost, which you should ask your project manager.

Communication

How will I communicate with the team throughout the process?
A dedicated project manager will be assigned to you from the day you ask for a quote to the completion of the project. He will be responsible for answering all your questions, translate your comments, and solving problems. Our project managers are fluent English speakers who have rich experience in managing 3d visualization projects.

When it comes to means of communication, you can send emails, use WhatsApp, online meeting tools such as Zoom, Skype. There is no gap between us.

What are your working hours?
Although our standard working hours are 9:00-18:00 GMT+2 from Monday to Friday, you can reach out to our project managers any time you need. As long as they are not asleep, you will be replied with the highest efficiency. 😉

Where is your company located?
Our HQ office is located in Cairo, Egypt. However, you don’t need to go to our office to start working with us. We have been serving architects, designers, and developers around the world for years. In fact, all you need is drop us a line or fill a project brief on our website.

Miscellaneous

How do you guarantee the quality?
Our internal quality control system has two levels. First, our project manager checks each update as per your comments, making sure every one of your comments is picked up correctly. Next, our production manager reviews the work once again, making sure it is up to our standards.

There is actually a third external level, which is your approval. In every round of feedback & update, you can point out where you think needs improvement, and we shall make it happen.

How many projects can you do at the same time?
As many as you need. You don't need to worry about this. Thanks to how our internal management system works, we can work on projects of any scale and as many tasks as you need simultaneously.

I already have an in-house 3d rendering team. Why do I need to outsource services?
● We can save you from being overloaded.

● We have sufficient capacity to take large-scale projects and deliver results with short turnaround time.

● We offer better value for money. You pay as you go - you don't have to pay us salaries, training, rent equipment and workspace, and think about how to keep us busy in low seasons.

Is it hard to work with an overseas rendering company?
We understand that the top three concerns about using an overseas rendering company are the language barrier, cultural difference, and time zone difference. However, these gaps have been bridged here.

Our project managers are trained English speakers who have years of experience in working with clients in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. They are used to your work style, and they are accomplished at understanding and translating your ideas. They are also excellent at representing the render team. The language barrier no longer exists, neither does the cultural difference matter.

As for the time zone difference, we consider it to be a good thing. Imagine that you receive the drafts or updates in the morning, review them with your team, make markups, and send them to us before you get off work. And then, while you are off work and asleep, we will be working hard on the changes and make sure you see the updates the next morning. Isn't it great that the project is running nonstop? If we were in the same time zone, it would be impossible.

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