Three phases, three ways of charging
Video work splits into phases that cost different things. Pre-production is planning time, the shoot is priced per day or half day for crew and equipment, and post-production is priced by edit hours or a fixed edit fee with a set number of revision rounds. Invoicing by phase lets the client see where the budget went.
- Day length: state what a shoot day means, for example 10 hours including set up and pack down.
- Crew: one line per role, such as director, camera operator and sound recordist.
- Kit: a daily package for camera, lenses and lighting, kept apart from crew fees.
- Locations: studio hire or venue fees passed on at cost, with the receipt.
Video production invoice template lines and example prices
The lines below suit a corporate profile film shot over one day with a short edit. All prices are examples only, in UAE dirham before VAT. Your rates depend on crew size, equipment and how much finishing the client wants, but the split between shoot lines and edit lines stays useful at any budget.
| Line item | Basis | Example price |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-production: script, shot list, recce | Per day | AED 2,500 (example) |
| Shoot day: director and camera operator, 10 hours | Per day | AED 6,500 (example) |
| Second camera operator | Per day | AED 2,200 (example) |
| Camera, lens and lighting package | Per day | AED 1,800 (example) |
| Editing | Per hour | AED 350 (example) |
| Motion graphics: titles and lower thirds | Fixed | AED 1,500 (example) |
| Extra revision round beyond two included | Per round | AED 900 (example) |
Booking deposit, balance and final delivery
A shoot day ties up crew and equipment you cannot rebook at short notice, so it is reasonable to ask for a booking deposit and to set a cancellation rule in your terms. A three step pattern works well: a deposit invoice when the date is confirmed, the balance after the shoot or with the first cut, and any extras when final files go out.
Give each stage its own invoice number and refer back to the deposit invoice on the final one. Our guide to deposit invoices explains the wording, and a free quote from WhizQuote can set out the stages before you book.
UAE VAT on a videographer invoice
If you are registered for VAT, the FTA expects a tax invoice within 14 calendar days of each taxable supply, with the words tax invoice clearly shown. VAT is at the standard rate of 5%. Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Both TRNs: your name, address and TRN, and the client’s TRN if they are registered.
- Dates: the issue date, plus the date of supply if it differs, such as the shoot date.
- Each line: unit price, quantity, VAT rate and amount in dirham.
- Foreign currency: if you quote in US dollars, show the VAT in dirham with the exchange rate and its source.
- Simplified invoice: allowed for unregistered clients, or registered clients when the total including VAT is AED 10,000 or less.
E-invoicing is coming: businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must go live by 1 January 2027, with smaller firms later. See our UAE tax invoice template for more.
Showing edit hours and revision rounds
Editing is where video budgets drift. State how many revision rounds the fee includes, log edit hours by version, and bill extra rounds as their own line with the version number, so the client can see that a third set of changes was their choice rather than your overrun.
- Version names: v1 rough cut, v2 fine cut, v3 picture lock.
- One round: one consolidated list of notes from the client, not a stream of messages.
- Cutdowns: vertical or square versions for social channels as separate lines.
- Raw footage: price a handover of rushes separately if the client wants it.
Start from the video sample
Download the template here, or open the sample filming invoice in the generator. It has a shoot day, a second camera, a kit package, 18 edit hours and motion graphics, using the UAE preset at 5% VAT. Change the dates, add your logo and save a PDF.
Browse every invoice template for other designs. Stills work fits the photographer invoice, monthly content for brands suits the content creator invoice, and edit only jobs can use the hourly rate invoice.
Fill it in on screen and download or email a real PDF. No sign up.