View Single Post
  #5  
Old 04-13-2007, 04:34 PM
Tim Adlam Tim Adlam is offline
Gold
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
Default Re: New Introduction

Tom,

I think early on in any engravers career one has to eat a few jobs now and then.
Trial by fire, so to speak.
If you keep good time-logs, this situation is lessened.
One method is to back-engineer the job.
Say you wish to make $70./hr. and you quoted $600.
To make your per hour goal you need to complete that project within about 8 1/2 hrs.
Is this realistic within your ability to design, execute and deliver?
The other things not factored here are packaging, shipping, taxes, etc.
So the quote should contain a provision for that as well for you to secure the rate per hr. you desire.

When doing one-off type of projects, there's very little room for error.
Engravers as a rule work at wholesale prices...there's little if any markup as in the jewelry trade.
If an engraver sticks to "known patterns", it can be a bit easier to quote accurately.
There's not much science here, it really comes down to learned experience.

I have a quote sheet on hand when discussing jobs with customers that reminds me to ask what "additional work" is required.
I cut metal...I don't disassemble/re-assemble anything...I don't blue, case-harden, etc., etc.
These additional cost/quotes get passed on to other artisans for the customer to address.
I never want to be a middle-man.
That quote sheet also prompts me to add the taxes, shipping and packaging costs.
Only after I've reviewed and tabulated all of this...will I give a firm quote on a job.

Tim
Reply With Quote