"Bernard Randall" wrote in message ...
No offence, but sounds to me like the customer picked the wrong guy, from
what you wrote there wasn't any woodwork involved, sounds more like a job
for a painter/decorator, unless it's some special finish. In quality
cabinet work finishing takes a lot of time, I spoke to a small specialist
manufacturer about some chairs at a crafts show, the price was half if I
wanted to finish them myself.


Half's about what I'd go with too. To get a piece really ready to
finish and to put on a really good looking finish I generally end up
with as much time as I had in construction. A really good finish
brings a piece to life. Case work finishes easier, detailed scrolly
works finish harder than construction, good chairsmithing is equally
hard all around.

In response to BAD, I flatly refuse to finish someone else's work.
Though if times were tough, I might consider this job since I don't
think trim is really someone else's work and then I'd have to bill it
out time and material.



Bernard R

"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
m...
On the west coast (where EVERYTHING costs more) what do you guys charge
for finishing something that you didn't build. do you charge a FLAT fee
(how much -- give an example please) or per hour plus materials?

do you charge less for finishing when you were commissioned to do a
piece, or is that just buried in the price.

I picked up some material for someone (that's 45 minutes of my time),
spent 2 hours (on and off, waiting to the coats to dry) finishing, and
will need about 45 minutes for a round trip of 24 miles to deliver the
finished material. Total time invested around 3 1/2 hours but it's not
really 3 1/2 hours of SOLID work. (clean up time is included)

customer pays for the material (baseboards). customer will pay for my
finishing materials (only about $10-12)

I've already set a price.

I'm just curious what you guys would charge for sanding, sealing, 3 top
coats on 63 feet of 2 5/8 baseboard, including the driving time I
mentioned for materials pick-up and delivery to customer.

Bear in mind, don't give me midwest or east coast pricing. this is the
land of the top dollar. which is why when we retire, we are getting the
heck outta here!!

I'll post what I billed AFTER I see what you guys think. don't want to
sway your opinions.


dave