First Sale

We’ve gone back and forth about this subject in several different discussions on working for family and friends. Basically, you have to find what makes sense to you and what works for you. We can’t tell you what will make you happy.

I’m currently doing things at cost and taking on projects as “learning experiences” with little compensation for my time and skill – that’s fine for me right now. But I’m also not trying to make a living at it. I have a goal for making a part-time (bi-vocational) living at it some day though. So, I’m learning to keep track of time and materials expenses more accurately. As my estimating gets more accurate, I’ll get more expensive and the number of projects will probably slow down from the waiting list I have now.

If your friend pays for the materials, I would say you’re doing it for free. Friends do those kinds of things for each other. Check with him ASAP about the materials cost though. Some folks don’t realize that often materials alone are more than Wal-mart charges. If he insists on “paying” you, he needs to understand how much it’s going to cost beyond the materials cost.

Do a search of forums and blogs on “friends” or “family” – and you’ll find a bunch of opinions on this subject.

-- Paul, Texas

here is a good discussion about the topic
I think Paul’s comment about “what makes sense to you and what works for you” is the key to it all.

What are your goals? What do you believe a family/friend should pay? And how much of a profit or loss do you want to make on this?

Talking to the person is vital as well: does he want it made from pine (or another inexpensive wood) or does he want weather-resistant wood? Will he paint it to match his current deck/outside furniture? Giving him an estimate re: materials may end the discussion right there .. and if you are going to charge him for time/labour/expertise make sure he knows what that will cost as well.

Tell him that handmade items aren’t as inexpensive as some people think: it is usually a LOT cheaper to go to some chain store to get an item. If he wants inexpensive, that’s where he should go; if he wants the quality and the uniqueness of handmade then you can talk about the cost.

let us know what you decide with this. This topic is of interest to a lot of people!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Never sell yourself and your skills short. People aren’t just buying your piece they are buying your skill. Because they can’t do it themselves. So figure out what you hourly rate should be and how long it will take to make the tray and what the material costs are. Add them all together and there you have it.

-- Kaleo , http://www.kalafinefurniture.com

I have to agree with Kaleo. Pretty simple formula actually.

-- "The way to make a small fortune in woodworking- start with a large one"

Dannyboy, Labor, Materials and Overhead. It does cost you to replace dull blades, bits, elctricity and other fixed cost, harder to keep track of unless you are keeping records. How many (just this one time buddies do you have)? I have my own business and I would have lots of work, more than I could handle if I was inexpensive. somewhere I would have to cut corners to stay alive and pay the bills. You don’t want to be known and have referrals because you are inexpensive.

-- Ron Central, CA

I am a pure hobbyist – I never try to sell woodworking, as everything that I build is for myself of my sons and their families. I do know that if you start cheap, you’ll probably have to stay cheap. Most “friends” you will find will look at you like you stepped in dog dew when you tell the cost of materials (not your time and skill/equipment costs).

I think if I were in your shoes, I’d quote a price based on the cost of materials and the cost of a few small tools that I was hoping to buy. If it’s a VERY CLOSE friend and you want to do them a favor, then just charge for the material and call it quits. I’m willing to be when you tell him how much the material is – he’ll say don’t worry about it.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Hello Danny

I too am just getting started when it comes to selling what I make. For now I am selling things I make for double the materials. That way I can make two and get one for myself for free. It is cheap for the time you put in but it is a start. Some day i will charge more but for now it helps on covering my cost.

Scott

-- Scott, Kentucky ----- "Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry" Mark Twain