If you’re like me, the hardest part of creating or making custom work for others is giving an estimate to a client. Because each piece is unique, there isn’t always an equal price comparison in my portfolio. Many variables go into play when pricing such as the size of the finished product, amount of detail, materials used and location of the project. In addition, how much time was used consulting with the client, brainstorming and sketching ideas, and gathering materials? Should you charge by size, by the hour, by the detail involved? There have been times after completed a project I’ve lowered the amount charged thinking I would be charging too much. That’s a mistake as it diminishes my value and that of other artists and makers.
Two stories come to mind. The first, may be true or not the second is true. The first is the story that Picasso was asked by a woman walking by if he’d draw a sketch for her on a napkin. He agreed and took out a pencil and in five minutes he finished it and gave it to her. She was thoroughly impressed and asked how much she owed him. He responded one million Francs. She was aghast and said ‘but it only took you 5 minutes’. He replied ‘No, it took me 40 years to draw this in 5 minutes’. The second story is a conversation I had with an artist that was completing a mural at a Florida hotel. I asked him about his work and the conversation led to pricing. He basically said, ‘Don’t ever give your work away for free. Charge your worth’. Your experience, skill, time, creativity, and talent are of all of value.
When pricing remember your client choose you because of your ability to do the work and do it well. The more similar projects you do, the better you’ll get with your pricing. Early in your career, start with a lower per foot or per hour figure and increase as you grow in experience and sales. You can also check online and see what other artists and makers are charging for similar projects. You could add a contingency figure to your quote to cover unforeseen extra details, travel, materials etc., Another option is to price by the foot with more detailed areas higher than less detailed areas. Include consultation, brainstorming, sketch time and materials in your quote.
The main thing is to price so that when you finish the job, you feel the amount was fair, valued and you didn’t ‘give’ your work away.
