Picked this up from Facebook-

 

 

 

Amen,amen,amen!!! I've been screaming this philosophy for years! Woodworkers, don't sell yourself short!

Good one Lew, thanks!

His pricing is similar to mine. 

 

I charge a minimum $50 hr. For commercial work I charge $65hr. The difference is in the fact that when working for clients, I am in charge and I plan and work well with them and things run pretty smoothly. 

 

In commercial work I am not usually the contractor in charge, the job sites are a mess, they eat up my time, and then it is high stress since I am the last one in to finish out the job and still trying to meet a deadline after everybody before me has gotten behind on the job. It is not uncommon for me to end up pulling three or four 16 - 20 hour days   doing finish out to meet the deadline. 

 

For me, there is no such thing as an easy 1 hour project. I quit figuring out single hours of labor and do bids based on 1/2 day increments and my labor hours are figured on 10 hour days instead of an 8 hour day. 

 

One exception for the one hour project: 

 

Once in a while I get a walk-in at my shop for a simple repair of a drawer box or cabinet door. For those types of projects I tell them the charge minimum $30 and shop rate is $60 charged in 15 minute increments. This weeds out the cheapskates. Most small repair projects take 1:15 - 1:30. 

 

When I am done, I usually tell them no charge for materials because if I am making a new drawer box it is with scraps of baltic birch that are building up anyway and they feel like it is a deal. 

 

My rate is very competitive with other shops and contractors. $65 - $80 hr is the going rate at this time in my area. My rate is based on hard business costs of overhead, taxes, insurance, etc. 

 

I have noted that if someone perceives me as a woodworker, it is more difficult to get the price I need. If I am perceived as a professional shop or contractor (which I am even though I am small) then I am accepted as charging the going the rate. 

 

Finishing out this restaurant was one of the projects that I worked through the night and watched the sun come up in the morning 3 days in a row. I pulled some long days to finish out and get them open on time. This was one of the last projects I just decided it was not worth killing myself anymore following other contractors that are unable to stay on track. The last contractor in always takes the worst beating and the most blame for everybody that came before. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish more craftsmen would charge what they are truly worth.

To believe that a lot of people is going to charge them self's right out of a job. You got to charge what the public is going to pay or find something different. Every day my price might change according where i'm at and the kind of people I'm around... Works for me.... 

14 minutes ago, Kevin Beitz said:

To believe that a lot of people is going to charge them self's right out of a job.

 

Not that I do a lot of side work but when I do the price is the price.  You want to shop, do so but I may not have what you want when you return. Or be inclined to sell it.  This way next time you know where you stand.  Had a guy offer me $3 for a pen once.  Gave him a cheap slimline kit, no wood.  He says what's this.  I told him for $3 that's all you get. Wisely he took his wife's advice and paid the correct price.

 

 

I like to make nice jewelry boxes using quality hardwoods, and have kept records of the time it takes to make one. It usually runs to about 20 hours, a little more if I do an inlay. If I charge $10/hour for the box, exclusive of materials or overhead, that runs to $200 to $220 for the box. In my market area, nobody will pay that price. So I sell them at $100-$150 by request, and I don't do craft shows or art fairs. Price has to be set for the existing market, what people are willing to pay. 

hat

You are right on, Hat.  I don't charge, but everyone who gets some of my work really appreciates it.  I need to sell some pecan wood and maybe some cedar.  With that gone, I may be able to park in the garage again.  To charge for my work would be like working again.  Not ready for that.  This is just fun.  

My wife appreciates it and doesn't offer up her secret to anyone. Says she is selfish in this regard. Made a comment about let these women find there own handyman.

Luckily I worked in shops residential and commercial and saw the pricing. Residential is easy... commercial your bidding against others and if your not somewhere in the middle or the contractor doesn't know you your out....

The guys a goof ball....my opinion...

 

I dont do do small projects for a living  but I charge what I feel the public can handle...you may think your worth more or less than another....

 

I fix a price and then, reduce it by the amount of enjoyment I got from making it. Sometimes it reaches -0-. Other times the price is astronomical. I've learned to not embark on a non fun project. Those kind, no one can afford.

12 minutes ago, BillyJack said:

The guys a goof ball....my opinion...

Well, he is coming from an artists and crafts-person perspective. It's a different market.

He seems like a nice man, who wants to help, and he seems to have a nice presence in the market and the woodworking community. I thinks he's an ok guy myself.

 

Make Something

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Im working for a designer who can get what he wants as he builds the non productive items. So I do get it, but it's not for everyone...

 

I enjoy making poker tables. Will I get $48000 for a poker table like Mackey? I don't think so as I don't have his kind of clients...

 

A single guy in a shop  making a $1000  a day is rare...

 

MACKEY tables...

 

Now there is a place in kansas city that will let you showcase your furniture for a 100% markup.... This allows you to get in touch with kansas city football player, baseball player,etc. .so you can find the money but most have to work with a designer or artist to move pieces at a high cost...

 

You really have to invest materials and craftsmanship if you want real money...

Edited November 30, 20196 yr by BillyJack

2 minutes ago, BillyJack said:

Will I get $48000 for a poker table like Mackey?

It also has to do with name recognition which non of us here probably have, at least not in a big way, perhaps in your local, but not big like the greats, Nakashima, Maloof, Tage Frid, Jere Osgood etc etc.

If those card tables and chairs were made by Maloof when he was alive, he'd get a couple hundred grand for them probably. You and I make one, well, you know the deal.

It's all good... 

Two of my big name clients are Jonathon Albert Schimmelfenning and Dieterman Klaus Grobengeiserstein. 

 

I hope here  soon in the future I can put some of the things in my head into the shop and be creative. Price is always important, but it's obvious the high dollar isn't as important as the thill I get competing with myself. I have to beat laziness these days as I grow older and feel less competitive with others. If you can in invision it, you can build it.

 

Sylvester Stallone made a comment in his movie about " stuff in the basement". 

Still a lot of ideals there and hope to get them out before I end of my four  corner shop rule...

 

Edited December 1, 20196 yr by BillyJack

27 minutes ago, BillyJack said:

I hope here  soon in the future I can put some of the things in my head into the shop and be creative.

I can't wait to see what you come up with and create, it'll be fantasimo!!!