If you think you are inexpreienced in this field, then forget the price. As exp is even more valuable than $ at your stage. And gaining reputation, personal relationship and collecting your own rendering is vital as well.
Try Flamingo! Uou need to buy Flamingo separately. In H.K., they totally cost you below 9K only.
Stand alone price was about 2K.
It perform pretty well in radiosity and causitic effect, some simple animation can also be made.
But I still stick to Max rendering.