Flame Pricing

[CLander]

Now people seen my work and some want me to flame their snowmoblie hoods and helmets.
So What should I charge, I was thinking about $30 an hour give me some info please!

 

[rex]

That's hard to answer.You have to figure a reasonable rate compared to the local rates and economy and then you have to figure in your skill level compared to who's doing it around there.If you're not a shop with overhead they're going to expect a good break on the labor rate.

 

[DenB.]

You can start with cost of materials then triple that amount, then double that figure I.E. If your mat. cost is $150. x 3= $450.x2(100%) =$900. keep in mind this is a rough calc. and leaves enough room for over head/operating expenses and profit this way like Rex said you can adjust your fees based on you having or not having a shop to operate

 

[rex]

Den,I like the formula.Much more workable than my system-about this much in material,about this much labor....more of a high guestimate than an estimate.But then again I have told them the final price is less than originally stated so that brings in some brownie points.

 

[CLander]

Thanks alot that will help me out.

 

[DenB.]

GOOD LUCK, JUST KEEP IN MIND THIS JUST A SIMPLIFIED FORMULA

 

[Brandon Miller]

local shop quoted me $2500 for some small hood n fender flames, 2 color no candy colors. So... I'm researchin how to do this stuff myself

 

[BonesFX]

Hey Den, How are you figuring out your material cost - for instance I can paint 3 sets of a tank and front and rear fender with one quart of HOK Black base - so do you put that into your equation or are you just going with a whole quart per job?

I don't have any overhead because I do this in my own garage so that helps a little. I start my flame prices on 3 or 4 bare metal parts, black base, one color base for flames, clear (4 coats), color sanded and buffed at $750.00. From there I add things like drop shadows at 25-50 dollars per piece, tipped flames are about the same - I try to get at least an extra 100 bucks if I have to pull out my airbrush -- Bones!~

 

[rex]

Stop,you guys are making me sick.I definately don't charge enough

 

[TWISTED]

I need to charge more for my work. I work from my garage and only advertise by word of mouth and a show or two a year. My business cards were even free. I start at $400 for basic paint on a sporty and add from there. My biggest problem is not charging enough for the airbrushing.
Hood and fender flames I would have gone for $700 or so unless they wanted the whole car cleared.

 

[BonesFX]

Twisted - I start my price at 400 too - 3or4 parts painted black - In my mind there is "ppainting" and then there's "art" so anytime I pull out anything other than my big gun (tape, airbrush...) I try to make sure I get something for it --- Bones!~

 

[DenB.]

sorry for the late response to these posts guys you know s@#t happens right? To answer about the amount per job paint wise yeah i figure no less than a quart per job not only does it make figuring easier, but in the long run the extra on hand does add to your profit and the price formula is easy to adjust to your particular living area what works here in Mass. may not work in peoria lol

for instance a local guy i heard of sent tanks and such out west and paid $3000. for repaint with sculls etc.. So as you get more experience and recognition slowly bring your price up. if your at $700. now and say you've got 50 jobs waiting (we hope) isn't it better to have 25 jobs waiting on the shelf at $1500.?---- there's working hard =then there's working smart good luck to all Denis B.

 

[DenB.]

TELL ME WHAT YA THINK JUST LOOKING FOR SOME INPUT!

 

[TheRoadKing]

Good point DenB. I increased my photography prices last year. Got less work but BETTER PAYING clientele!

(Fewer bad checks too).

Now I make more per hour, work LESS HOURS and make more money.