What to charge??

[jmcquesten]

So I do some Hobby engraving with a dremel, while I’m waiting to retire from the Army. I recently engraved a 3 foot tree of life on to some cedar. Took around 32-35 hours for the entire process including plaining and combining boards. Trying to figure out what to
Charge.

 

[monk]

for a hobbyist, who knows. if beginning to do this as a business, you have to account for all the time spent on a project. one must keep track of all expenses incurred by that business. postage, paperclips, thumb tacks & ----------------------. failure to take all this into consideration, you will losing money. welcome to th forum. you're welcome to post fotos of what ou do.

 

[jmcquesten]

Thank you for the reply, I’ve actually done quite a few engravings for people. Just been a trade I’ve had for about 10 years. Everything is by hand with a dremel. I guess I have to figure out how much my time is worth. Attached are some of the other things I’ve done.

 

[Paulie]

jmcquesten, for a handcrafted piece which took you 32-35 work hours, you should count at least $500 - $600.
Once in a while, I'm engraving aluminium motorcycle parts and (I'm sure) for a 35 hours job it's still too cheap!
Just saying, I realise nobody would order some m/c engraving if I'd count €25/hour (like I should)

 

[papart1]

you do nice work my brother RVN 70-72

 

[Goldjockey]

Keep in mind, that the value to to customer (perceived value) is the finished product itself. The chargeable perceived value is the sum total of what the finished product represents to the customer, and has nothing to do the amount time spent on a product.

The table (or any work for that matter) is the expression of an idea fixed in tangible form. The value that the idea, materials and workmanship represents to the customer, are what the customer is paying for. The fact that it is a high quality hand made piece created individually from high quality material is a value multiplier.

For example, if I would expect to pay a great deal of money $1,200 -$1,500 or more for a similar piece cut by laser, for something hand made, depending on the quality of the work and materials, I would reasonably expect to pay a multiple of that amount.

 

[FANCYGUN]

A simple rationale i was told years ago

if you have a backlog, you are too cheap
if you have no backlog, you are too expensive

 

[jerrywh]

In my opinion, the worst thing you can do is work too cheap. You not only robbing yourself but all the other professional engravers as well.

 

[monk]

well, well, well ! this is about the first time i've seen anything done with a dreml that really looked nice. i must say this was way beyond my expectations. the quality of wood you use is a plus. you definetly have work that is marketable. if you choose to, develop a market, no doubt you'll succeed. tyvm for showing your work.

 

[sam]

@jimzim75 summed it up nicely. He said (paraphrasing) when his customers are slightly uncomfortable with the price, he knows he's hit the sweet spot.

 

[mitch]

as the world famous oil well firefighter, Red Adair, said when asked about his fees: "I like my customers to be happy, not ecstatic."

 

[Chujybear]

I like that Mitch

A certain, well known artist once told me- “if they are still standing when i quote my price, my heart drops”

 

[jmcquesten]

you do nice work my brother RVN 70-72

Thank you very much!!

 

[jmcquesten]

jmcquesten, for a handcrafted piece which took you 32-35 work hours, you should count at least $500 - $600.
Once in a while, I'm engraving aluminium motorcycle parts and (I'm sure) for a 35 hours job it's still too cheap!
Just saying, I realise nobody would order some m/c engraving if I'd count €25/hour (like I should)

Thank you for the reply, I’m located in small
Town Oklahoma so I’m trying to find my
Range. But I’ve had no complaints so far. So I am probably not charging enough

 

[jmcquesten]

well, well, well ! this is about the first time i've seen anything done with a dreml that really looked nice. i must say this was way beyond my expectations. the quality of wood you use is a plus. you definetly have work that is marketable. if you choose to, develop a market, no doubt you'll succeed. tyvm for showing your work.

Thank you for that, it’s currently just something I do in the spare time. Once I fully retire from
The Army I may go full time into it.

 

[jmcquesten]

Keep in mind, that the value to to customer (perceived value) is the finished product itself. The chargeable perceived value is the sum total of what the finished product represents to the customer, and has nothing to do the amount time spent on a product.

The table (or any work for that matter) is the expression of an idea fixed in tangible form. The value that the idea, materials and workmanship represents to the customer, are what the customer is paying for. The fact that it is a high quality hand made piece created individually from high quality material is a value multiplier.

For example, if I would expect to pay a great deal of money $1,200 -$1,500 or more for a similar piece cut by laser, for something hand made, depending on the quality of the work and materials, I would reasonably expect to pay a multiple of that amount.

Thank you for the advice, I will definitely look
At this more closely carrying on with my work.

 

[jmcquesten]

In my opinion, the worst thing you can do is work too cheap. You not only robbing yourself but all the other professional engravers as well.

Great point! Never looked at it that way.