11/12/2020
A customer asked me how much it cost to make a table....
I answered him: $ 1500
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: $ 800 maximum... That's a pretty simple job right?
Me - For $ 800 I invite you to do it yourself.
Him - But.... I don't know how to.
Me - For $800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $700,
you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want
( It seemed right to him and he agreed.)
Me - To get started: you need tools: A table saw, a planer, a top,
drills and and assortment of drill bits, a doweling jig, a belt
sander, a router and assortment of router bits, an orbital
sander, etc.....
Him - But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of
these for one job.
Me - Well then for another $250 more I'll rent my stuff to you so
you can do it.
Him - Okay, he says.
Me - Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work
Him - But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
Me - I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and
lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
Him - Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday,
take off my regular job and give up my free time.
Me - I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the
nonproductive factors.
Him - That is? What is this?"
Me - Bureaucratic, tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.
Him - Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend
more money and waste a lot of time!
Me - Do you have them? You can do it to me before?"
Him - Okay!
Me - We'll pick up all the material you need.
Meet me Monday and we'll run all over town to acquire all
the materials you need, and then we'll load all the tools
needed in the truck and fill it with gasoline.
Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning
you'll have to come by 6 for loading the truck. Don't forget
to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time.
Him - At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I used to getting up later.
Me - OK, well then come by Monday evening before midnight.
Him- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done.
I'd rather pay you the $1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be
perfect and it would cost me a lot more, including the
money I would have made spending the time at my
regular job!
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
-Shop space
- Odd parts acquisition services
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
-Logistics and tranportation costs
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.
I did not write this dialogue, but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
