Thread: Pricing Q?

What are you? Santa Claus? Actually, I don't think thats grossly out either way.

How many hours of labour do you think?

Clear pine boards will cost what? $200-250?

Anyway, I am always amazed at some folks asking for pieces of furniture, or whole kitchens, for the cost of the materials.

Greg

Originally Posted by gregoryq

What are you? Santa Claus? Actually, I don't think thats grossly out either way.

How many hours of labour do you think?

Clear pine boards will cost what? $200-250?

Anyway, I am always amazed at some folks asking for pieces of furniture, or whole kitchens, for the cost of the materials.

Greg

G'day Greg,

The quote for the timber was just under $250, so aboy $600 labour - at $25/hr only - so around 3 days - allowing myself a little bit of time for stuff ups :eek:

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

G'day Greg,

The quote for the timber was just under $250, so aboy $600 labour - at $25/hr only - so around 3 days - allowing myself a little bit of time for stuff ups :eek:

G'day Steve...

A. I know that the market is funny, and potential clients can waltz into 'Country Bob's Pioneer Federation Settler Pine" and find something similar for $495.00. Making people appreciate the effort and knowledge required to make even a simple looking piece can be more time consuming than making the piece.

B. You work fast. Much faster than me, at any rate.

C. Cheap rate considering you are supplying tools and shop supplies, electricity and insurance, etc. I think retail workers with their vacant stares get around $15.00/hr, and all they have to supply is the attitude problem

Well Greg,

For me it's only a hobby, and I believe that $25/hr is reasonable, bearing in mind the establishment costs (tools, etc), plus a (little) bit of skill.

The customer suggested $600 all in, but I might as well not bother at that price, and in any case, it is "not the done thing" to depress the market, eh:confused:

Steve

I take a different view (surprise, surprise). After materials you get around $350 for your work. You enjoy WW, if you don't take the commission, you'll probably be buggering around in the shed anyway. This way, you get paid, and maybe will stimulate more commisions, at a better price.

Refuse, and the word will be "too exxy, mate"

Negotiate up to $699 and everyones happy

I understand the other factors, I was just hoping to ignore them. One of the reasons that I got into woodworking was my astonishment at the retail prices of nice boolshelves and wall units (That was a long time ago). Of course I have spent way more than the fee for nice furniture just in tools and books, never mind timber and time. How do you charge for that?

If I ever got a paying comission, I wouldn't honestly know how to charge. I couldn't quote on an hourly basis because I am so slow, and I wouldn't want to undercut they guy who has to make a living chasing too few orders.

Its a good question ,and one that bears more pondering.

Back to the shed-I have a glued-up panel and freshly burnished scrapers waiting.

Greg

Steve,

My uneducated guess - with building construction you work on a 1:1 ratio for labour to material cost, but I would have thought for furniture of modest complexity the ratio would be more in the realm of 3:1 and confirmed with an estimate of time plus materials.

You did your homework and gave a very modest price as this is a one off not a mass produced item that can be whizzed out from a series of jigs quick quick.

Bet you wouldn't do your profession for such labour rates.

Cheers

Come on Lignum where's your answer and where is Different and Matthew??


Cheers

Oh and Major How dare I forget

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

Steve,


Bet you wouldn't do your profession for such labour rates.

Cheers

I do believe that you're right

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

conniption .

Thats a new one, please explain..

I could look it up in the dictionary, but it aint as much fun as you fellas..

Al :confused:

conniption
A noun
1 fit, tantrum, scene, conniption

a display of bad temper; "he had a fit"; "she threw a tantrum"; "he made a scene"


Now whom thru the tanty?

Originally Posted by Auld Basson

The customer suggested $600 all in, but I might as well not bother at that price, and in any case, it is "not the done thing" to depress the market, eh:confused:

Auld, could you please mention the above to the powers that be in China:eek:

I would say your quoted price should be the absolute minimum.

Very few people in Australia these day's value the skill's and effort's of the true Cabinetmaker.

.......and trust me, I should know!

I seem to remember that this question of pricing has come up before.
Without looking back I think that the formula was Wholesale = 3 times cost of materials. Retail = 5 times cost of materials. Check back on search.
Vinnie

Originally Posted by gregoryq

How do you spell Waltz, really?

Spelled correctly Greg, but what I'd like to know is do they waltz the natural way or the reverse way into the shop.


Steve,

Stick to your original quote as it seems fair and equitable to you. You would not be happy doing it for less than you think it is worth and I'm sure your client won't respect you for giving in either.

He will always think that you first tried to rip him of and will bad mouth you over that so you are better of sticking to your guns.

If it is too dear let him go elsewhere.


Peter.