Hi Lynda, your first sentence was exactly how I came to my first hourly rate. The only problem was that with smaller jobs, I came out 2-5 times as much as other fabricators for similar work. Mostly b/c my needs were higher than other shops, which was more my fault than market reasons. I found out that when I charged competitive but fair wages for the actual work I was doing I became competitive. This of course is with fairly simple component projects. As I move into more custom projects and techniques that require more effort I think your method of pricing becomes more applicable for my shop. It was frustrating to finish a bid, click the estimate page, and find out that your charging five times what everyone else is. This pricing thing seems like a never ending process. I appreciate the fact that you include the "other things" that come into all of our days and divert us from our work. Over the year, they really add up. Experience can tell you so much. I'm bummed I will not be able to make your Shindig 2008. I would like so much to meet you all in person.
Hi Lynda, your first
Hi Lynda, your first sentence was exactly how I came to my first hourly rate. The only problem was that with smaller jobs, I came out 2-5 times as much as other fabricators for similar work. Mostly b/c my needs were higher than other shops, which was more my fault than market reasons. I found out that when I charged competitive but fair wages for the actual work I was doing I became competitive. This of course is with fairly simple component projects. As I move into more custom projects and techniques that require more effort I think your method of pricing becomes more applicable for my shop. It was frustrating to finish a bid, click the estimate page, and find out that your charging five times what everyone else is. This pricing thing seems like a never ending process. I appreciate the fact that you include the "other things" that come into all of our days and divert us from our work. Over the year, they really add up. Experience can tell you so much. I'm bummed I will not be able to make your Shindig 2008. I would like so much to meet you all in person.
Jake