February 3, 20179 yr Popular Post I got a call the other day from the head of maintenance for my daughter's school system. The assistant superintendent saw the ukulele cart and loved it and sent the maintenance chief to call me. Seems that needed a trophy case built and asked me to build it. Today I met with them and come to find out the case about 30 feet long, 7 feet tall and 25 inches deep. It wraps around the inside corner of the foyer. They also wanted a custom case built into an alcove that is about 8 feet square and would reach to the 10 ft ceiling. I would guesstimate the job would be in the $20,000 range. I was honored but politely declined the job and referred a friend to bid it. Might even get to help him.
February 3, 20179 yr Well, if you could get the price you wanted, maybe it would not be too bad then... Isn't is great to know that they loved your work? Edited February 3, 20179 yr by Chips N Dust
February 3, 20179 yr It's nice to know your work was appreciated. I think the trophy case, with your estimated cost, would probably have to go out for bids in this area.
February 3, 20179 yr Author 48 minutes ago, It Was Al B said: It's nice to know your work was appreciated. I think the trophy case, with your estimated cost, would probably have to go out for bids in this area. I would think so too but they seemed pretty intent that I could have the job. It would have been like building a boat in your basement. I would have had to build it in sections but it was just huge and you would have to sub out all of the glass work. Nice money but way too many headaches for an old retired guy. Maybe Ralph Jones would like a shot at it.
February 3, 20179 yr Ron, I am happy for you that they would consider you for the job and appreciate your work. As for me building it would be like you building a boat in the basement for my shop is not large enough to handle such a project. Thanks anyway.
February 3, 20179 yr We all have our limits. It is always nice to know you were considered for the job.
February 3, 20179 yr Nice compliment! However, it's the same old story, if you knew what it was really going to cost you wouldn't even ask... People ask me all the time if I can do this or that. When I tell them that they can't afford it, they look dumbfounded. I have to explain that the price of the materials alone would exceed or stretch their budgets, even before I tack on my labor. I made the decision, a long time ago, that, this was a hobby not a business. Hence, I do things not because I have to but because I want to do them.
February 3, 20179 yr Popular Post 1 hour ago, schnewj said: Nice compliment! However, it's the same old story, if you knew what it was really going to cost you wouldn't even ask... People ask me all the time if I can do this or that. When I tell them that they can't afford it, they look dumbfounded. I have to explain that the price of the materials alone would exceed or stretch their budgets, even before I tack on my labor. I made the decision, a long time ago, that, this was a hobby not a business. Hence, I do things not because I have to but because I want to do them. exactly the same conclusion i came to some time ago. had someone contact me yesterday, we have a mutual friend, never met the guy. he wants a custom cutting board, 17-1/2" x 29-1/2" x 1-1/2" thick. that's about 516 square inches, so at $1/sq.in. (one of my rules of thumb for cutting boards), i quoted him somewhere in the range of 550-600 plus shipping. he hasn't called back yet. showed the coffee table i made last year online to some folks, got several nice replies. someone asked "how much?". oh....about 3500-4000 if i was to make another one for you. well, it has about 400 worth of lumber alone, took 2 weeks to make and finish. how much do you make in 2 weeks? just made a little cherry box, still needs finishing. i'll have about 8 hours of time into it by the time i'm done. at a bare 15/hr, that's 120 for my time. add in materials and other expenses, and it's at least 150 if i was to sell it. how many peeps you know that will pay 150 for a little wooden box? fine, make your own. i'm not working on demand for less than minimum wage, duh. people like the idea of hand made items, but they don't like the idea of paying for hand made items.
February 3, 20179 yr Popular Post Kinda reminds me of a conversation I overheard. Someone asked my dad, a farmer, what he'd do if he won the lottery. He replied "Probably keep farming 'til the money ran out."
February 3, 20179 yr i made a custom cutting board for someone last year. sent them a pic. they said they liked it. shipped it. waited. and waited. for 6 weeks. hey, how about my $$$? oh, well, we didn't think it was 'fancy' enough. fine, send it back. but you aren't going to stiff me and get away with it. finally got it back. gave it to someone who did think it was 'fancy' enough.
February 3, 20179 yr 1 hour ago, DAB said: i made a custom cutting board for someone last year. sent them a pic. they said they liked it. shipped it. waited. and waited. for 6 weeks. hey, how about my $$$? oh, well, we didn't think it was 'fancy' enough. fine, send it back. but you aren't going to stiff me and get away with it. finally got it back. gave it to someone who did think it was 'fancy' enough. glad you got it back, I don't ever ship them till I have the money in hand.
February 3, 20179 yr Congratulations Ron on being recognized for your work. To build something that size would require a lot of space just for staging. Most of us don't have shops with that kind of size, but it still makes you feel good knowing that the quality of your work brought you the offer. If they like what they saw, I'm sure there will be other smaller projects that come along that your name will get attached to.
February 3, 20179 yr 11 minutes ago, John Moody said: glad you got it back, I don't ever ship them till I have the money in hand. it was someone i knew. plan B was to shame them on social media.
February 4, 20179 yr Author 5 hours ago, DAB said: had someone contact me yesterday, we have a mutual friend, never met the guy. he wants a custom cutting board, 17-1/2" x 29-1/2" x 1-1/2" thick. that's about 516 square inches, so at $1/sq.in. (one of my rules of thumb for cutting boards), i quoted him somewhere in the range of 550-600 plus shipping. he hasn't called back yet. . Maple must be really costly in New Mexico......
February 4, 20179 yr 1 hour ago, Ron Dudelston said: Maple must be really costly in New Mexico...... About $6/bf. if if you want to hire me, I don't work for minimum wage. I'll earn what I want.
February 4, 20179 yr Author 1 hour ago, DAB said: About $6/bf. if if you want to hire me, I don't work for minimum wage. I'll earn what I want. That is if you sell it.
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