RATES:
Since most of our work is custom, please understand that other than Basic Build-Ups as noted on our Product Page, our rates will be determined by an estimate that takes into consideration the difficulty of the project, the time involved, the parts and materials involved and the cost of the kit.
SERVICES:
BASIC BUILD-UPS!
This just a re-run of the information on the Product Page so if you've already read it, skip ahead. The concept of the Basic Build-Up is simple. We take styrene kits directly out of the box, build them, paint them, detail them, and decal them for a flat rate including the cost of the kit. We DO NOT do customization on flat rate BBU's.
The only exceptions to this policy are color customization (we'll use any color scheme requested), customization parts that are included in the kit and custom decals.
There will be an extra charge for custom decals. Prices vary depending on the availability of the decals, whether or not we can procure them or have to have them custom made and the amount of time estimated to professionally apply the particular decals.
Examples of customization parts included with a kit are the downward sloping baffles on the Klingon Bird of Prey that come with the kit or the extra parts that come with the Polar Lights USS Enterprise 1/1000 kit that give you the option to make one of three versions. Optional customization parts are commonly included in aircraft, armory and auto scale model kits so, of course, there will be no extra charge for using those either.
Aftermarket parts, however ARE NOT included in the price of a BBU due to the extra cost involved and extensive extra work involved in altering a kit. The only exception to this rule is the aftermarket Parts by DLM for the AMT/Ertl 1/1000 USS Excelsior. They will be included in a BBU for this kit because the kit parts they replace are horrific and the replacements don't require any extensive altering of the kit to install (the decals are included as well as it's far easier to apply the extensive detail than to paint it).
Click here to see the list of all of the kits that we have available in-stock today to begin a BBU.
WE FIND THE KIT FOR YOU!
If there's a kit out there that you want, but you don't have the time or ability to build so you have never bothered to buy it we can help. Simply contact us via our email address and tell us what kit you want to have built and we'll contact you via email or phone to discuss the details of exactly what is available as far as after market parts and decals for your particular kit and what recommend for your budget.
YOU SEND US YOUR UNBUILT KIT!
You ever buy a kit that you really wanted to build but wound up not having the time to do it? This is where we come in. Let us know what you have and what you're looking to do and then ship the kit to us and we'll do the rest.
YOU SEND US YOUR BUILT OR PARTIALLY BUILT KIT TO
FINISH FOR YOU!
It's happened to all of us (including us here at Las Vegas Shipyards!). You buy a kit, you get half way through it and then you either don't have time to finish it or you've become so frustrated at its difficulty that you want to throw it through a wall! Send that kit to us and for a fee we'll complete the job for you (even if you've thrown it at a wall).
Also, a lot of builders are good at constructing and painting, but lack the skills and experience to properly finish a model. Whether its Aztecking, panel detail, weathering, applying washes or applying decals we can do it for you.
This service is a cost effective way to make your kit look great!
ALL CLIENTS WHO CHOOSE CUSTOM BUILT KITS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF USING THE STAND THAT CAME WITH THE KIT OR A CUSTOM BUILT STAND
REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF YOUR OLD BUILT KITS!
Have you ever had a kit you loved that you built up beautifully that got wrecked (see: the USS Enterprise-A Refit that I knocked off of the top of the TV with my big melon). For most of us this happens either when:
Don't throw out that old kit, let us bring it back to life. We also restore old models that have simply seen better days just because of age.
DIORAMA BUILDING!
Everyone has had a great idea for a diorama and we want to help make that dream become a reality. Whether it's a battle scene of WWII or a the crash landing scene of the saucer section of the Enterprise-D in Star Trek: Generations or a dogfight scene between X-Wing fighter and and an Imperial TIE fighter, we'll work hand-in-hand with you to realize that vision.
PROP KIT BUILDING!
Phasers, commbadges, tricorders, blasters, scanners, disruptors, holoemitters, etc. Whatever you have in mind as far as props, we can find the kit or you can supply it and we'll build it.
KITBASHING!
Have you ever thought how cool it would be to slap two or more kits together, taking the best parts from one kit and combining them with another to make a really cool kit? If you didn't already know, this is called kitbashing and whether it's ships from the "Frankenstein Fleet" from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine or ships from the Star Wars Universe that require slapping three TIE Fighters together or you have your on inspired idea that requires combining a USS Enterprise, and X-Wing fighter and a WWII German Panzer Tank, we are more than happy to help you bring that creativity to life.
A BRIEF STATEMENT ABOUT LIGHTING KITS AND
ILLUMINATED MODELS
In accordance with our continuing efforts of bringing professional quality modeling services to the general public, we do not, as a general rule, offer lighting kits or illumination services for our build projects. The cost for lighting kits is very high and requires an extensive amount of extra work from soldering to drilling to controlling light leakage.
As much as we too love illuminated kits, it is simply not cost-effective for us to offer that service.
That being said, if an illuminated model is something that you would really like to have, we will gladly look into the possibility of acquiring a pre-made drop in lighting kit for your model. If there is one available, we will be glad to make you an illuminated kit but please understand that lighting a kit will increase the cost of the build significantly. If we cannot accomodate you, we will gladly refer you to a reputable partner who can.
