Trials and Tribulations #1: Turned Down a Project... Not Enough $$

That is the basis for free economy…you get to charge whatever you want, they don’t have to buy it. If they really want it from you they will meet your price.

-- "Checking for square? what madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2

I think you did the right thing. If your time estimate was correct, you can’t build for customers for that hourly rate. On the other hand, if you ever decide to dedicate more time to commissioned work, it might be wise to run a couple projects “on the cheap” to get a feel for the amount of time it takes you to complete the work. That way you can more accurately estimate pricing for the future.

-- Measuring twice and cutting once only works if you read the tape correctly!

As others pointed out, you reponse to say “no” is perfectly fine. I productive way to proceed might have been to describe to her the hall tree that you would be willing to build for around $600. For instance, you could provide a price and a product that does not include finishing or one that uses lesser materials. I am not in the business, I am just sharing my thoughts.

Bill

Sounds to me like it was the perfect answer.

-- I just don't understand. I have cut it 3 times and it is still to short.

I’ve lost more money by committing to doing a job too cheaply than I have by refusing to do a job too cheaply.

You did fine. Bill’s idea to come back with a proposal that would fit the buyer’s price point might have helped but you did fine as it is. And your wife shouldn’t take it personally, it’s all just business unless you start to get personal about it.

Good Luck!

Be Careful!

Herb

-- Herb, Florida - Here's why I close most messages with "Be Careful!" http://lumberjocks.com/HerbC/blog/17090

I, like you consider my wood working to be a hobby. I do sell some of my work from time to time. I build what I want to build. I often have people see my work and ask can I build this or that for them, custom work to their specifications. I work up a price based on an estimate of time plus materials. I have found that very (as in VERY) seldom does anyone actually want me to do custom work once they see the price. I am fine with that. I would rather not do this custom work if it means me doing it for next to nothing. It doesn’t matter (in my opinion) what the price is, high or low. If you cannot get a price for the work that you think is worth it, then there is your answer. It is not worth it.
By the way, I did not run the numbers, but if your five dollar an hour pay is correct based on you estimate of time, that is a ridiculously low price. I say this for several reasons. It is below minimum wage. Besides that, your estimate will wind up being on the low side. Trust me. I have never done anything (if you do everything to the best of your ability like I do) that doesn’t either run over on time, over on material, or both.

-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/

When I bid a project my goal as a business is to have the materials 30% of the whole cost this price allows me to be profitable as a small business and actually pay myself. When I am slow and sense the potential customer will be stubborn with the budget materials are 50% of the entire project this is the bare minimum.

-- Unique Carpentry, http://www.unique-carpentry.com

Good Job! Quality is worth the money, and people have forgotten what quality is worth.

If the money is not what you want, you did the right thing. I think most non woodworkers have no clue how much time, effort, and energy goes into a finished product. They really dont know any better, they have been de-sensitized to quality items. That is just the disposable mentality of the world, where cheaper is the most impotant thing.

I would have done the same. I worked for peanuts while I was learning this skill. Now that I have gotten to this level I will not work for apprentice wages.

-- Every day above ground is a good day!!!

It’s a hobby for you so unless you have a particular non-money related reason for doing a job, you should charge what you feel it is worth and not do it for less.

As a goodwill gesture, perhaps give her some scenes from shetchup so that she can find someone who will do the job fer her. Chances are that she will find out that you are not overestimating the fair price for the job.

-- I may have lost my marbles, but I still have my love of woodworking

You did the right thing. To me one of the problems with this kind of situation is that if you accept the offer, you start the project already lacking enthusiasm for it. If you don’t look forward to working on a project, then it isn’t a hobby any longer, it is drudgery and instead of wanting to do your best, you settle for getting it over with.

-- "Measure twice, cut once, count fingers"

The story of my shop work. I keep pricing my work way too cheap.

Pop

-- One who works with his hands is a laborer, his hands & head A craftsman, his hands, head & heart a artist

Ok here is mystory regarding pricing I made a French rolling pin and took took it to our wood working group
A local person who stops in quite regularly was admiring it and said that she wanted one. well the one I had made was for the wife. but went home and made her one just like it .And here is what I did ….knowing I would not get paid what
I wanted I told her you pay for the materials=M Plus pay me what you make per hour=H and you match the hours
that I put in it= X so it looks like this (H x X)+M=$ Now I know she can’t do what I do in woodworking (and thats not much) and she dose not make much money either. but I thought it was a way making her realize what it cost in time.
which I think a lot of customers have a hard time realizing. Oh and by the way I will let you know how much I made
when she pays me (she is on the honor system)
By the way I am in sales and tell people no more than you expect.

Rob

-- "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

Custom commissioned furniture aint being sold in IKEA. Move on knowing that this may by far be the best way it could have turned out for you (maybe not her though).

Thank you for your service. Those of us that get to do what we want with our day appreciate those of you that keep it that way for us.