Curious how my prices compare to your location..

Ah… the age old question – what do I charge? To me, your prices seem quite reasonable, if not a bit on the low end. It’s funny that when it comes to woodworking, asking what your time and effort is worth always comes across as being ‘expensive’. I guess it’s primarily due to the Walmart factor (ie. why would I pay you $1000 to build a dining room table when I can get one @ Walmart for $300?) Most end users/consumers don’t care about teh fact that it’s made from solid wood or that it’s quarter sawn with hand cut dovetails, etc…. It’s really unfortnate if you ask me. My profession is in the IT field where contracted work can easily fetch $100 – $200/hour for consulting fees. But if I tried to price my products at even 1/4 this rate, I’m guessing I’d have a lot of custom built items in my house :-). For me, I just love woodworking and I don’t need to make a lot of money from it as it’s not my livelyhood. If I can make a few bucks here and there to pay for some more tools or a fine bottle of Scotch, it’s all good.

Anyways, sorry for rambling on…. I just find that sometimes, trying to price our work frustrates me as others do not appreciate the work, planning, materials that go into it. But we don’t think twice about paying our automechanic $100/hr to change a set of brake pads (no offense to the automechanics who may be on this site!).

Cheers

Thanks for the input. I was actually reading your blog about the 8’ basement bar when you commented. Good start by the way. I agree with the points you made. If the vehicle isn’t running or if society cant log on to the Internet than people will dish out money in a heartbeat. Quality woodwork takes an individual of appreciation. Just a little bored on a Sunday night and thought Id start a topic. Thanks again for the input

-- Jay - http://www.jayscustomcreations.com or YouTube.com/jayscustomcreations

IMO your pricing is very low. Don’t be afraid to value your time.

most things are a priced a little low. the small picnic table, bunk bed, blanket chest, and make-up vanity seem about right. the farm table is way low.

btw, nice product variety. i’m not sure where you’re located, but if you did shows here in indiana, you’d do well.

Thanks bent. I’m in Starkville, Mississippi. College town. Up until this past summer I have mainly done hobby/household projects. A few business doors opened and I haven’t had any free time after my day job or on weekends since September due to side jobs. I’m tired of accomplishing everyone else’s goals. Id love to work for myself soon :)

-- Jay - http://www.jayscustomcreations.com or YouTube.com/jayscustomcreations

honestly i think your prices are very fair. with the resources available to me i’d be hard pressed to make anything cheaper than that

-- tools are only as good as the hands that hold them http://metalliwood.com

personally I try to make projects so the minimum I get for my time is about $10 an hour once I know how much my materials, hardware, and sandpaper/finish cost. Mind you sometimes I take in projects for next to no profit if it means I can get my name out there but other than that i try to have a competitive price for things

-- tools are only as good as the hands that hold them http://metalliwood.com

I would mark all of it up 25% from what you have listed. I would also drop “let’s work something out”.
Nice products.

-- Randy -- Austin, TX by way of Northwest (Woodville), OH

I am accused constantly of being under priced, and I think your low on many of your items. This isn’t my living yet, so my justification is that I am slowly raising prices as I build a client base. Someday I want this to be my one and only.

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

I would say the same as all above. Your prices do seem a little low, but, as Monte says, once you build up a good customer base, your prices can rise. Don’t be too eager to offer discounts either, unless you know you can still make it worth your while.

BTW, I like all your items! Great range!

Keep up the good work,

Garry

-- measure twice, cut once...... most of the time! www.custombuiltjoinery.co.uk