Pricing your Work

[larryf]

I have been asked several times what I would charge for an item I have made ( I donate my items every year for charity at our church for raffels) then someone always asks me what I would charge to make them one, and of course I have no clue I enjoy the work so much I do not know what to charge. Can someone steer me in the right direction is there a standard to go by? Any help would be greatly appreciated I think its time to start considering making some money.

Hwksfan

[minowevie]

Larry, I sure don't know, for I don't sell. but I get ask the same quisten. I have heard 3 times what you have into it. your friend Evie.
Ps. but then it depends on your talent. and if the project is your own work, pattern and all.

[JohnB]

G'day Larry,
If the idea is just to make a few bob to cover costs, buy some more timber and a few beers with an occasional new "Toy" just stand back, try to be objective and ask yourself "If I saw this in a shop and really wanted it, what would I pay." Try to discount he hours etc and just look at it as an object. When you arrive at a figure make sure it covers materials etc and away you go.
On the other hand you can give your time a value and add that to materials + blades+finish+power+wear and tear.
This probably don't help much but I sort of combine both.
I use the 1st method when a new job comes of the line then justify it by and or adjust it with the second.

[will8989]

I'm trying a new technique. I'm tired of figuring out everything, so I just charge $35 a foot of wood 3/4" thick, not board foot as I have no idea how to do that. If I make one basket, which I usually do, out of 1 foot, it's $35. I make 2, one is usually $15 & the other $20, different sizes. If it's 14" wide, it's $40. If I get 4, they are usually $8-$10 each. Fretwork is $35 a foot plus extra for cutouts. In the end it all averages out. Makes sense to me!!

Betty

[NC Scroller]

Larry IMHO you have asked the hardest question in scrolling. Especially for those of us who's real reason to scroll is personal enjoyment. IMHO I try to charge about $10.00 per hour plus materials (but only special materials that I had to purchase for that project ie. pattern, special hardware, exotic wood). If the project is something I can stack cut I base my time on what I would take to make one piece.

I do not sell a lot but between co-workers, freinds, neighbors and the couple small craft fairs I have done, this process has kept me in wood, finish, blades, and supplies. And as the ad say my enjoyment is "priceless".

[Jediscroller]

I'm at the other end of the spectrum in that I rarely cut anything for myself or for free. I figure my prices the same way for everything, whether scrolling, furniture or refinishing. Labor + material + margin. I use 33 cents a minute for labor and 30% for margin. If selling direct (vs. wholesale) I tack another 35% on top of that.

[larryf]

Thank you all for the input it is much appreciated it gives me something to think about.

Hwksfan