What to charge??

jmcquesten

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Dec 15, 2020
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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.
 

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monk

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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

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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.
 

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Paulie

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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) ;)
 

Goldjockey

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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.
 
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monk

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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.
 

jmcquesten

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Dec 15, 2020
Messages
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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

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Dec 15, 2020
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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

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
7
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.
 

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