How Estimating Works

In a nutshell.  

Some restoration services have flat rates, others count damage areas and every little thing they do as extra. For some clients, it is enough to say, that the average photo brought to us, falls into three ranges Light Range of $40-$60 Medium Range $70-$90 and Heavy Range $100. and up.   If you need a closer estimate, we can not give you one without seeing the photo first.   If you want a closer estimate and you enjoy reading ...go on and read about how we estimate from the topics below: 

Compare your photo damage with our Rough Estimates

Estimating Color Prices

Options for badly damaged photos

Custom Gift Prices

Archival Quality Prints Prices

Why some photos cost so much

Money Back Guaranteed

Be an Educated Consumer

Military Tribute Discount

Bulk Rates

Rough Estimates

The three photo samples below demonstrate light, medium and heavy damage.  It aids in determining a rough estimate, choose which one your photo maybe classified as.  For those who like to read and want to know more, keep scrolling.

$40-$60 Very minor damage mostly to the background or border and minor coloring issues.

$70-$90 Most damages to the faces are in the $70 to 90 range. No damage to faces but still plenty of damage in general.

$100 and up The works.  It needs all of the above plus recreating what is missing.

(NOTE: Don't forget to factor in the hard copies and CA Taxes)

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Colorizing Estimating

(NOTE: Prices above do not include hard copy.)

1).  This type of coloring is more like a special effect. the background is one color  and only the subject is colorized to bring it out and not necessarily a realistic color.

2). Is colorizing the simply but more artistic and more detailed.

3). The third range is colorizing every single detail of a detailed photo.

Understanding Color Issues

When bring back the color to these faded photos your expectation of color is subjective.  What one person calls cherry red, someone else calls orange.  What color is on your screen and what color comes out on your paper are different.  You will never achieve the exact color you remember.  There are many reasons why coloring in a photo are subjective.  There is the influence of the color lighting in a studio or outdoors, even the color of the clothing worn effects the coloring of the skin or eyes.  It is very difficult to tell the true color of someone's eyes in a photo and really doesn't matter when the photo is on a wall 5 feet away, you get the idea.

The objective to coloring these types of photos are to be able to display again, not necessarily to match your remembrance or obtain perfect skin or eye color.  The essence of the person is still captured.

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Options for Badly Damaged Photos.  

Always remember these are e s t i m a t e s.  

Some people like the photo to look old and choose to clean it up a bit like these samples.

(NOTE: Prices above do not include hard copy and CA taxes.)

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With some restorations like these samples, the client can make a choice.  As with any restoration, such as the restoration performed on a classic car, or an old house, the total cost is determined by the desired end result of our clients. One photo is rarely just enhancing or just repairs, many techniques are used with all photos. The intent of this sample is an attempt to give you a simple estimate. Some client prefer it their vintage photos old and torn looking, with no change to the coloring, only repairing the worst damage or making it whole.

Once you figure about how much the restoration is, add the price of the prints plus copies and Tax.

Here's the estimating formula:

Restoration price

 + Print Price

 + Shipping (optional)

 + restored photo to CD (optional)

 + expediting/rush fee (optional)

 + CA state tax (out of state no tax)

 

= Total Cost

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Why Some Photos Cost So Much

Looking at the original, it appears to have only yellowed and only a few spots and stains on the sky.  However, after removing the yellow you can now see the overall filth and blotches.  This will take more time then first thought.  With these types of yellowed photos, this is usually the case.

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Money Back Guaranteed

We guarantee 100% satisfaction with our work.  If you are not satisfied, we will try to make things right.  If you are still not happy, you have a money back guarantee with the return the photos within 15 days. 

The Exception - Sometimes as in  this case seen here below.  If we tell you that your photo can be restored to a better state than it is but in our professional opinion you may not be please and you still want to go forward.  We tell you up front that we do not give you your money back after putting so much time into the photo. 

Too much general damage. At times the end results can only be as good as the detail that is there to work with in the first place.  If the photo is not in focus before, neither will the after be.  Too much damage results in the photo appearing more like a drawing. Depending on how you feel about the particular photo, this may be acceptable. Our client was satisfied.

If your photo looks like this we don't expect success.

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Bulk Rates = Savings you can't get in chain stores.

If you have over 10 photographs restored on one order, we will take off $5.00 off each restoration.  This does not apply if you split the order.

This is a huge savings!  There is no negotiating like this with any other company.  We cater to genealogist, scrapbookers and anyone who has inherited the responsibility of rescuing their family photos. When someone comes in with just one photograph we have a minimum of $40.00 it's worth getting all your photographs together at one time, to see what we can negotiate.   Make an appointment to see what we can do for you.  619-397-7600 8AM - 8 PM PST.

Be an Educated Consumer

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