How to price your work?

[Wayne Gable]

Hello, I am new to the vertical carved business. I have been in the decorative concrete business for 7 years doing countertops, acid staining and overlays. Most of the time I use the sq. ft. approach to get a base price, and then I add on for special features. I know with talking to Nathan, that it is not always a sq.ft. approach in the vert. business. But for a beginner in the business is their a price per sq. ft to use as a base to get started?

[scott kuha]

I am new to vertical, 2 years now, but not to the decorative industry. There is no magic number out there. At least that I am aware of. I take a look at what I NEED to bring in a day. 2 years ago if I wasn't bringing in at least $2250 a day on average, I was going backwards. I most certainly don't need that now. Not even close. I have cut that number in half. I have a lot more sweat equity into my projects now because I am working a man short. Or 2. Or 3. Or even 4 men short. I have been doing a lot on my own to help control pricing to stay in business. I do not consider myself a very smart man, and maybe there are people here that have spilled more than I have poured, but I am still here. Pricing is tough especially the way things are. I am seeing things turning a bit here though. We have lined up about 8 weeks worth of work now, which I haven't seen in a while. Think about what you are doing with your overlays. There is a lot of time with the prep, and so forth. I am thinking you don't really charge by the foot because of how you would lose so on a small job like a kitchen. Or not get the job on a commercial building because you were way out of the park. Wow, I just read what I wrote and I am probably zero help. I'll send it anyway.

Good luck man!
Scott

[catherine wendy mattingly]

Actually, everything you said made sense to me. Nice to know that bidding is difficult for someone else.

scott kuha said:

I am new to vertical, 2 years now, but not to the decorative industry. There is no magic number out there. At least that I am aware of. I take a look at what I NEED to bring in a day. 2 years ago if I wasn't
bringing in at least $2250 a day on average, I was going backwards. I
most certainly don't need that now. Not even close. I have cut that
number in half. I have a lot more sweat equity into my projects now
because I am working a man short. Or 2. Or 3. Or even 4 men short. I
have been doing a lot on my own to help control pricing to stay in
business. I do not consider myself a very smart man, and maybe there
are people here that have spilled more than I have poured, but I am
still here. Pricing is tough especially the way things are. I am seeing
things turning a bit here though. We have lined up about 8 weeks worth
of work now, which I haven't seen in a while. Think about what you are
doing with your overlays. There is a lot of time with the prep, and so
forth. I am thinking you don't really charge by the foot because of how
you would lose so on a small job like a kitchen. Or not get the job on
a commercial building because you were way out of the park. Wow, I just
read what I wrote and I am probably zero help. I'll send it anyway.

Good luck man!
Scott

[Nathan Giffin Vertical Artisans]

It is always a per foot price but you shouldn't sell it from that vantage point. You should know your price per square foot and how it relates to the competition.
Evaluate the options and estimate the works perceived value. This is all covered in the sales portion of the subscription site.

[scott kuha]

Cool, I have been drooling over the subscription site all winter! I have been waiting for this spring to roll in so I could get it. Good to know you have sales portion included. Hopefully I will see what I have been doing wrong and will be able to get that Harley I have been eying!!!

VerticalArtisans.com said:

It is always a per foot price but you shouldn't sell it from that vantage point. You should know your price per square foot and how it relates to the competition.
Evaluate the options and estimate the works perceived value. This is all covered in the sales portion of the subscription site.

[Jeff Bonick]

This guy's saving for a Harley? I like him already Nathan!

[Wayne Gable]

Thanks to the replys, I did go back to the sales 101/102, some times it take a while for the info to sink in. After rereading this section and hearing it at the workshop I am getting a game plan on pricing Thanks.