This is a big one, and I'll probably stick it somewhere on my website. Let me explain.
Architectural rendering, architectural illustration, or architectural visualization is the art of creating three-dimensional images or animations showing the attributes of a proposed architectural design. The key here is a proposed design. It is easy to think that change is easy and free because we use a computer. Once someone sees the design, sometimes the design is questioned, and new construction documents are sent, with an updated design, thinking that the design change is part of an architectural revision. An architectural revision is revising the 3D model for model accuracy. Technically, if the modeler models accurately, there should be only one pass. "Yup, the model is built accurately per the drawings I sent you." Or, maybe, "you missed a detail here, which can be seen on the drawings sent."
Some comment things go like this:
After seeing the roof, we are changing it
The color we chose is not working for us, now seeing it, so here is a new color palette.
The mosaic tile bathroom wall has changed; here is an updated mosaic.
I chose these three as examples because it might be hours of work in only a few words, which take seconds to write.
Roofs are notoriously complicated; most of the time, the 2D roof drawings don't work. To redo a roof, figuring it out in 3D is already complex and time-consuming. Technically, if I build the roof per the 2d drawings, they'll get a model that doesn't work, but I take the time to fix things that make no sense without charging, and if something doesn't work, then the designer might have to rethink the design, which might mean I will quote the changes per hour.
Colors and materials can take time to create. The material doesn't consist of one thing; it takes many things to make an accurate material—reflection, refraction, glossiness, normal, bump, displacement, and on and on. It can take a long time to create a material that works.
My mosaic example is real. I had an architect send me a complicated mosaic that took me the better part of the day to create. It was a bathroom wall and turned out beautifully. The architect's client said, "nope, we don't like it; let's try this one."
Having said all this, change is far less expensive on the computer than in real life. I see the design change in an architectural rendering as value-added, and I love when the design improves because of the model, but there is a cost associated with change. So often, my client will request one of these design changes, understand that there are cost associates, and allow me to send a separate quote. Other times, clients seem confused about why I am not making these design changes for free, and they think it isn't fair that they'll have to pay more.
My clients often think they'll like what they see when the model is done and are happy to pay for design iterations when they question the design. However, these clients appreciate the value a rendering adds. Others try to bypass the design process and think that they can use me to redefine the design. They come into the process knowing they'll change things, assuming they get free design help. In their heads, they might think that their client is questioning the 2D plans, they are not able to produce a 3d model in-house, so they'll reach out to someone who can be part of the design process (for free).
The design model is usually part of the design process. Today, most designers can build a SketchUp model, do their construction documents in Revit, and have a 3D model as a by-product. All the design is worked out, and they reached out to me to make it look pretty. Unfortunately, the design process is long, complicated, and very subjective. So when someone comes to me with the need to help someone work through a design, I don't take it. If I took a project like this, it would be per hour and usually gets too expensive to make sense. Plus, it is almost impossible to schedule a project like this. A per-hour job can go on forever, as long as they keep paying.
To wrap up, I am sure some people will make changes until the cow comes home. However, these people don't last in the business, so you'll be confident working with a newbie with little experience. Chances are, if you hire an architectural illustrator with experience, they charge for design changes; it is pretty much the industry standard. So it is best to vet your design and be prepared to pay more if the design changes.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me.
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