Scale Model Building Cost Estimator

Understanding Scale Model Project Economics

The tabletop miniature wargaming and scale modeling hobby represents a $2+ billion global market with millions of dedicated enthusiasts. Projects range from small painted squads ($200-500) to elaborate armies and dioramas ($5,000-50,000+). For hobbyists, the primary challenge isn't whether they can build models—it's understanding the true cost of their hobby in both money and time, and budgeting appropriately.

Model building costs have two components: materials (models, paints, tools, bases) and the investment of time. A competitive painter might earn "$X per hour" of hobby time through improved quality and faster execution. Understanding this relationship helps modelers make strategic purchasing decisions and plan long-term collections.

Material Costs in Scale Modeling

The core material cost is the model itself, which ranges dramatically by type and manufacturer:

• Warhammer 40K/Age of Sigmar: $15-80 per kit depending on unit size and type. Infantry squads average $30-40 per model when you account for 5-10 models per box.
• Mecha/Gundam: $25-150 per model depending on scale. HG (High Grade) models cost $15-30; MG (Master Grade) cost $50-100; RG (Real Grade) cost $30-50.
• Historical Military: $15-60 per model for aircraft, vehicles, and figures depending on scale and detail level.
• Diorama projects: Base costs $50-200 for terrain, vegetation, buildings, and water effects.

Paint and supplies scale with project complexity. A tabletop-quality army might use $2-5 of paint per model. A display-quality army uses $8-15 of paint and specialty supplies per model (weathering powders, inks, glazes, metallics, effects).

Cost Breakdown by Category

The formula for total project cost includes multiple components:

Each component varies based on project scope and skill level.

Paint and Hobby Supply Costs

Quality acrylic hobby paints cost $3-5 per bottle (15-18ml). A complete painting setup requires:

• Primer (necessary): Spray cans $6-10 each; typically 2-4 cans per large project. Cost per model: $0.50-2.00
• Base coats: 5-8 paint bottles for color foundation. Cost: $20-40
• Shades and highlights: 5-10 specialty paints for depth. Cost: $25-50
• Metallics and effects: Gold, silver, copper, blood effects, etc. Cost: $20-40
• Varnish (protection): Matte or gloss protective coats. Cost: $8-15 for 2-3 bottles

For a first project, total paint/supply investment is $100-200. Subsequent projects have lower marginal costs because you already own most paints; only specialized colors need replenishment.

Tools and Equipment Investment

Essential tools include:

• Brushes: $30-100 for a starter set of quality brushes (10-15 brushes)
• Palette: $5-15 (ceramic or glass)
• Spray booth (optional): $50-200 for ventilation and overspray containment
• Hobby knife and cutting mat: $10-20
• Glue and files: $15-30
• Wet palette (optional): $5-20 for paint mixing
• Lighting (optional): $50-200 for quality hobby lighting during assembly

A complete starter toolkit costs $100-300. Experienced modelers may invest $500-1,500 in professional equipment (airbrush, compressor, specialized lighting, ventilation).

Time Investment and Assembly Hours

Assembly and painting time varies dramatically by model complexity and skill level. The relationship follows:

For a Warhammer 40K infantry model:

• Assembly: 15-30 minutes (cutting from sprue, gluing, basic cleanup)
• Tabletop paint job: 45-90 minutes (primer, 2-3 base colors, quick wash)
• Display paint job: 2-4 hours (detailed shading, highlights, weathering, basing)
• Competition paint job: 6-12+ hours (premium techniques, OSL, freehand, effects)

A squad of 10 Warhammer models takes 25-50 hours total for tabletop quality, 50-100 hours for display quality, and 100-200+ hours for competition quality.

Worked Example: Space Marine Army Project

Project scope: 2,000-point Warhammer 40K Space Marine army

Model breakdown:

• 1 HQ unit (5 models): $40
• 2 Troop units (20 models total): $80
• 2 Elite units (10 models): $60
• 1 Heavy Support unit (3 models): $30
• 1 Transport vehicle: $35
• Total models: 39, Cost: $245

Paint and supplies:

• Primer: $20 (4 cans)
• Paint set (starter): $80
• Specialty paints: $40
• Brushes (if needed): $40
• Basing material: $20
• Total supplies: $200

Time investment (tabletop quality):

• Assembly: 39 models × 20 minutes = 13 hours
• Painting: 39 models × 60 minutes = 39 hours
• Basing: 39 models × 10 minutes = 6.5 hours
• Total: 58.5 hours

Timeline at 10 hours/week: 5.85 weeks ≈ 6-7 weeks to complete

Total project cost: $245 + $200 = $445

Cost per painted model: $445 ÷ 39 = $11.41 per model

Cost per hour of hobby time: $445 ÷ 58.5 = $7.61 per hour

Comparison: Different Hobby Scales and Costs

Project Type	Models	Model Cost	Paint/Tools (1st time)	Total Cost	Time (Hours)	Cost/Hour
Small squad (painting practice)	5	$150	$100	$250	15	$16.67
Tabletop army (40K)	40	$250	$200	$450	60	$7.50
Display army (40K)	40	$250	$300	$550	150	$3.67
Diorama (detailed)	20 + terrain	$400	$250	$650	120	$5.42
Competition entry	1 model	$50	$150	$200	40	$5.00

Economy of Scale in Collections

The first model in a collection has high "cost per unit" because you're buying all tools and learning. The second model costs much less because paints are already purchased. By the tenth model, marginal costs drop significantly because you own brushes, paints, and tools.

• Models 1-5: Average cost per model including tool amortization: $15-25
• Models 6-20: Average cost per model: $8-12
• Models 21+: Average cost per model: $5-8 (mostly paint and model cost)

This explains why serious hobbyists build large collections—the unit economics improve dramatically after the initial investment.

Advanced Techniques and Premium Costs

Hobbyists pursuing display or competition-level work invest in premium supplies:

• Airbrush system: $80-400 for compressor, brush, and paint cups
• Wet palette: $10-20 for extended paint mixing
• Specialty paints: Metallics, pearlescents, effects ($3-8 per bottle)
• Weathering supplies: Pigments, oils, salt weathering kits ($30-100)
• Lighting effects (OSL): Glow paints, specialized techniques ($5-20 per model)
• Photography/display base: $50-300 for proper presentation

A competition-level project might allocate $20-40 per model for supplies alone, exceeding the model cost itself.

Subscription and Ongoing Costs

Many hobbyists subscribe to services that reduce overall costs:

• Paint subscription services: $20-40/month for monthly paint boxes (specialty colors)
• Hobby magazine subscriptions: $5-15/month for tutorials and inspiration
• Online community memberships: $5-20/month for tutorial access and competitions

Annual subscription costs range $100-500, though subscribers argue the tutorial value and paint savings offset costs.

Resale Value and Collection Management

Painted models can sometimes be resold at 30-70% of original cost, depending on quality. Competition-level pieces may resell for more if they're award-winning. Conversely, table-top quality often sells for 20-40% of cost. Hobbyists managing large collections often sell or trade older models to fund new purchases, effectively reducing net project costs.

Limitations and Assumptions

This calculator assumes standard hobby acrylic paints and brushes. Specialized techniques like airbrush, oil painting, or custom basing have different cost profiles. Time estimates assume average skill progression and don't account for practice/learning curves. A complete beginner might take 2-3x longer on first projects. The calculator assumes you'll reuse tools across multiple projects; if building only one model, per-unit costs appear much higher. Regional variation in paint and model costs (US prices 20-40% lower than many European markets) significantly affects calculations. Paint longevity and brush quality also affect true costs—cheap brushes and paints require more frequent replacement.

Strategic Collection Planning

Smart hobbyists:

• Start with smaller projects (5-10 models) to learn techniques before committing to full armies
• Invest in quality tools early; they're amortized over many models
• Buy paint in sets (3-color starter sets) rather than individual bottles
• Join hobby communities for tips on cost-saving techniques
• Plan multi-year collection development (spreading $2,000 army over 3 years = $55/month)
• Build display-quality showcase models (1-5 per year) alongside quick tabletop additions
• Track costs to understand hobby spending patterns

Mental Health and Hobby Investment

Beyond financial metrics, scale modeling provides significant mental health benefits: stress relief, meditative focus, creative expression, and community. The "cost per hour" metric provides perspective—most hobbyists spend $5-15/hour on entertainment (compared to $20-50/hour for movies, dining, or concerts), making it economical for mental wellness.

Summary

Scale modeling can cost anywhere from $200 for a starter project to $10,000+ for premium armies. This calculator helps you plan realistic budgets and timelines. By understanding the true cost—both financial and temporal—hobbyists can make strategic purchasing decisions and enjoy sustainable, affordable collections for years. The hobby rewards both dedication and strategic planning.