Hey Dave,

One of the best ways to calculate hourly rate, is based on your costs.
Doesn't matter where you live.

Take into account how many ft your shop is, and what it would cost you to
rent or pay a mortgage for that shop (if you aren't already).

Calculate monthly hydro, taxes, maintainance, consumables and equipment
replacement cost. All this sounds like work but, business is business. If
you were paying $1000/m to rent your shop, $1000/m to rent/lease/loan for
tools, $1000/m for hydro/tax/consumables and had to take home $5000/m to
keep the wife supplied with bon bons, you'd need to be at $50/h ($8k / 160
hours per month )

In my shop, it doesn't matter what the task is, designing, mock-up, stock
prep, finishing or delivery etc....I still charge my hourly rate.

Cheers,

aw