[Woodcarver] Re: First post- how to price?

[Ramsey]

Hi Joyce,

That is a beautiful carving! I can see how it took you 60 hours.

Pricing is a difficult problem.  I think that it depends mostly on 
what the market will bear.  I also price by the hour plus materials 
doubled.  I used to do all chisel carving when I was single and my 
expenses were low.  When I got married, had kids and acquired a 
mortgage, I had to shift to a combination of chisel and power 
carving.  I believe both chisel and power are both hand carving as 
opposed to duplicator and CNC carving.  This has enabled me to still 
make a living by keeping my prices at a level the market will bear. 
I feared that with the advent of CNC carving that the market for hand 
carving would disappear.  What I am finding is that with the 
increased availability of CNC carvings, the awareness of carving is 
increasing and I'm getting a lot of requests for carvings that look 
hand carved because many of my clients don't want a carving that is 
machine made.  I think it has increased my business.

I know that this doesn't help you price your work.  I would charge 
between $550 and $600 for that carving but it would not have the fine 
burnished finish that gouges leave.  I don't know if you depend on 
your work to pay the bills or not,  but I think the market for high 
quality hand carved pieces is increasing.  The key is effective 
marketing.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


Hi,everyone,
I just learned of this list serve. I don't know many who carve, so
this is a wonderful resource!  I just finished a 9" x 12" carving I
was commissioned to do- but I don't know what to charge for it!
Originally I set a shop rate of $35/hour based on my costs to keep my
shop going- but the carving took 60 hours, so at $2100 both the
client and I thought it was too much money.  I agreed to charge the
client "the going rate"- so my question is, what would ordinarily a
carving like this sell for? It is of bass wood and designed for a
space in the client's kitchen.  The photo is before the finish was
put on it.
Thanks,
Joyce
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