Cost Estimation Services

Here is how this works in practice. We produce detailed cost guesses that give shoots a realistic picture of what shooting in the Netherlands will need before budgets are locked. Our team prices crew, gear, locations, transport, lodging, permits and post against today's market rates, drawing on direct knowledge of Dutch suppliers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and beyond. Guesses are built in euros, the national currency, and account for 21% VAT (BTW). This affects how costs are presented and recovered.

Here is the breakdown. Key, we model the impact of the country Film Production Rebates — a 35% cash rebates on qualifying Dutch production spend administered by the Netherlands Film Fund — so shoots can see net costs as well as gross. Because the country is compact and well connected, travel and logistics lines are often leaner than shoots expect, and we guess those realistically rather than padding them.

Here is the short of it. A trusted guess depends on local knowledge, and the Netherlands has cost traits worth knowing early. Crew rates are shaped by the Dutch film-industry collective labour agreement (the CAO). This sets minimum terms and turnaround entitlements that feed directly into day costs. Gear moves freely within the EU single market, so shoots sourcing kit from elsewhere in Europe avoid carnet and import friction, while local rental houses cover most needs. Filming permits are issued at city level.

Here is what that looks like on the ground. Fees differ between cities, so we guess those per location. The temperate, wet climate makes backup a genuine line item rather than a formality. By combining accurate supplier pricing, the rebates calculation and honest backup planning, our guesses give producers and financiers — including funders such as NPO and regional funds — a dependable basis for decision-making.