"A Dubya" wrote in message
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 )

Far easier to charge $8000 for the first job of the month and then you are
covered


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.

Some shops charge different rates for different skill levels, but in a one
man shop, it makes no difference. Others play games. No charge for
delivery, but you are paying the "free" delivery charges in the product
cost.

Most people think you are charging them an astronomical rate. They earn
maybe $15/hour and figure the rest of the world should too. They do not
realize they are earning far more than that when you include benefits,
vacation time, SS tax, etc. Right now my company paid health care is over $4
an hour. Figure in the paid holidays and vacation, etc.
Ed