How much does it really cost to create an escape room? Your ultimate guide to budgeting for a successful experience.

Escape rooms have become increasingly popular in recent years, with enthusiasts clamoring to test their problem-solving skills against a series of challenges within a time limit. If you’re interested in creating an escape room, one of the first questions you’ll likely have is: “How much will it cost?”. This article will mainly cover commercial escape room creation. For those of you making an escape room at home, see our article on The Cost of Creating DIY Escape Rooms at Home.

The cost of building an escape room can vary greatly depending on several factors, including location, the size of the room, the number of puzzles or challenges within the room, and the quality of the props and technology used. However, by breaking down the costs into their individual components, we can give you a better idea of what to expect.

Location

One of the most significant factors in the cost of an escape room is the location where it will be built. If you already have a building or space for the escape room, then the cost of location will be fairly minimal. However, if you need to rent or purchase a location, you could spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month for a small space to several thousand dollars a month for a larger one in a prime location.

Size

The size of the escape room will also impact the cost. Generally, the larger the room, the more expensive it will be to build. This is because larger areas require more decoration, props, puzzles, and technology. As a general rule, a small escape room can cost around $7,000-$10,000, while a larger facility that can accommodate multiple groups at once can cost upwards of $50,000-$100,000.

Puzzles

Puzzles and challenges are the heart of escape rooms, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some puzzles can be created relatively inexpensively, while others require high-end technology and custom-built props. When it comes to budgeting for puzzles and challenges in your escape room, it’s best to consider the experience you want to create for your customers. Do you want to have basic puzzles that can be created with DIY materials, or do you want to offer a more immersive, high-tech experience with custom-built puzzles that require professional installation?

If you’re on a tight budget, you can consider purchasing pre-made puzzle sets and props from online stores. Alternatively, if you have a larger budget and want to create a truly unique experience, you can consider hiring a professional puzzle designer to create custom challenges and props.

Props and Technology

Props are an essential part of escape rooms, and they can range in price from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on complexity and quality. To keep costs down, consider using everyday household items and repurposing them as props. For example, you can use old furniture or household items you no longer need as part of the escape room. You can also find affordable props and decorations at thrift stores, yard sales, and online marketplaces.

High-tech props can add an extra level of sophistication to your escape room. For example, you may want to incorporate interactive props that respond to user actions or install hidden cameras and microphones that track the progress of your customers. However, these props can be expensive and require professional installation. Depending on the complexity of the technology used, the cost of installing high-tech props could range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

Employee Costs

Employee costs are another factor to consider when budgeting for an escape room. As an escape room owner, you’ll need to hire employees to host the experience and keep track of customer progress. Depending on the size of your escape room, you may need to hire one or two employees or an entire team. Employee salaries will depend on the experience level and location of the employee and could range anywhere from minimum wage to six figures annually. Escape rooms all need game operators (game masters), a maintenance crew, room/puzzle designers, and accounting to operate efficiently. Some employees may take on more than one role. 

Marketing Costs

Finally, you’ll need to budget for marketing to promote your escape room. Marketing costs can include web design, advertising, and promotional materials. Marketing costs could range anywhere from a few hundred dollars for basic advertising on social media or advertising sites such as Groupon to several thousand dollars for a full-scale marketing campaign. It is a good idea to establish social media presence and authority online by sharing pictures of your customer’s experiences. Build a good reputation by providing excellent feedback to customers. Get customers to review their experience online.   

Conclusion

The cost of creating an escape room will vary depending on many factors. A small escape room could cost around $7,000-$10,000, while a larger facility could cost upwards of $50,000-$100,000. Factors that influence the cost include location, size, puzzles and challenges, props and technology, employee costs, and marketing expenses. Whether you’re on a small or large budget, creating an escape room is an exciting challenge that can be achieved with proper planning and budgeting. With the right creativity and planning, you can create an immersive and exciting experience that your customers will love.