5 Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Video Production Company
Hiring a video production company should be exciting. You’re investing in your brand, telling your story, and hopefully getting content that actually drives results. But not every video team built the same. Some are inexperienced. Some are overpriced. And some just don’t care. If you want to avoid the headache, here are five red flags to look out for before you sign that contract.
1. They Charge Extra for 4K (When It Should Be Standard)
If it’s 2025 and a video team is still upcharging for 4K footage, that’s a problem. 4K is the new baseline. Most professional cameras (as well as your phone) shoot in 4K by default. Charging extra for something that should be standard means they’re either behind the times or looking for a quick money grab.
Pro Tip: If their sample footage looks great and is in 1080p, that’s fine. Just don’t let them nickel and dime you for basic quality.
2. They Expect You to Bring the Gear
Unless you’re working with a student or brand-new freelancer on a tight budget, the team should be showing up with their own gear. Cameras, lights, mics…it’s part of the package. If they’re asking you to rent a lens or bring your own lighting, walk away.
Why It Matters: Professionals invest in their tools. If they’re not willing to, what does that say about how seriously they take your project?
3. They Don’t Know Basic Video Terms
You don’t need to be a video expert to ask smart questions. Just throw out a few terms and see how they respond:
Pre-production (planning the shoot)
Post-production (editing, color grading, delivery)
B-roll (supplemental footage over interviews or voiceover)
Aspect ratio (16:9 is standard for YouTube, 9:16 is vertical for TikTok and Reels)
If they stumble through those or look confused, it’s a red flag.
4. They Try to Limit How You Can Use Your Footage
Here’s the difference: charging you to hand over raw footage is normal. Charging you to use the final edited video across platforms or for more than a year? Not normal.
Some big agencies might have licensing layers baked in, but a small or midsize video company should never restrict your usage rights.
Watch Out For: Terms like “you can only post this on Instagram” or “you need to renew the license in 12 months.” That’s shady.
5. They Film on Their iPhone and Call It Professional
There’s nothing wrong with an iPhone video, if it’s for behind-the-scenes or a low-budget project. But if a company presents themselves as a professional production studio and pulls out a phone on shoot day? That’s unacceptable.
Ask what camera they use. Google the model. If it costs less than $500, chances are they aren’t serious about delivering a high-end product.
Bonus Tip: You’re hiring a team to represent your brand visually. If their gear isn’t up to par, your final product won’t be either.
Final Thoughts:
There are a lot of talented video producers out there, but also a lot of people faking it. Look for transparency, professionalism, and a team that actually knows what they’re doing.
Want to skip the stress and hire a team that checks all the boxes? Reach out to us. We do this every day, and we do it right.