The Framers Forum

Sorry if this has been covered before - and if it has, I would be grateful for a link - but has anyone out there got a basic pricing model/calculator for framing work?

I am just getting back into framing after a long-ish (10yr) break. I used to have a very basic cost calculator which was kindly given to me by a fellow framer, but having found the original in the depths of my existing database, I find that it is now no longer compatible with my current iMac. I am an enthusiastic hobby framer and do fairly basic stuff, so I'm just looking for something that works out what materials I have used and adds a basic mark up to cover the cost of completing the work. At the moment, I'm doing stuff at 'cost' (materials only), as I'm using the work as my re-introduction/re-familiarisation to framing. I don't need anything very complicated, just something which gives me a good basis for working out cost/price.

Any thoughts and/or practical help would be most welcome.

Thanks

NoggieB

Hi Noggieboxa

Try this thread http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11160 that should help you

Welcome to the forum by the way

I use estlite, which was developed by John the owner of this site. Unfortunately hd doesn't appear to have any links to it but Google it, it is a good little program. There are plenty of others if you look on the resources menu on the left under software.

Welcome to the forum.

A while since the last post on this thread but I always struggle with pricing. It is not my main occupation although I would like to do more.

I don't have a pricing program and I tend to double the cost of the materials to account for the work that goes in. My frames are to a certified standard but tend to basic mounts or double mounts in oak and black frames. Not sure how this sounds to those doing this for a living but I'm sure it wouldn't be enough to cover the cost of all the bills if I was charging that in full time occupation. This is one of the hardest things I struggle with. There is always a feeling of 'they won't pay that!'

Some people "won't pay that", but some will and the ones that will allow you to make a profit.

A good business adage is: If you double your prices and halve your trade, you are working half as hard for the same money. The reverse also applies.

Don't base your final price on the cost of materials. You can pick the phone up and order more materials. You can't order more time.