A customer asked me how much it cost to make a custom table for them.
I answered him: $1500
He said: Why so expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you to do it?
He answers me: $800 maximum… That’s really a pretty simple job right?
I told him: For $ 800 I invite you to do it yourself.
He answers: But…. I don’t know how to.
I replied: 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 so he agreed to that.
I said: You’ll need tools: A table saw, a planer, a top, router and various other woodworking tool.
He whined: But I don’t have all that equipment and I can’t buy it just for one job.
To help, I suggested: Well then for another $250, I’ll rent the use of my tools, so you can do it.
Okay, he says.
I Tell him: Great, we’ll get started this Tuesday.
Again he whines, But I can’t on Tuesday. I only have time today.
I tell him: I’m sorry, but I’m only available this Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are very busy building for my other customers.
He concedes: Okay! That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday and give up the plans I had.
I tell him: To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
He asks: What’s that?”
I reply: Rent, electricity, taxes, security, insurance, fuel etc.
He gasps: Oh no!… It sounds like I need to spend even more money and waste a lot of time!
I ask: Do you have the time and money?
He Says: Wasn’t planning on that, but Okay!
I say: Good, I’ll get you all the materials you’ll need. The truck loading is done late Monday evening or or early Tuesday morning, so you’ll have to come by 6am to load the truck. Be on time so we avoid traffic jams.
He says: At 6am, no way. Too early for me! I’m used to getting up much later. You know, I’ve been thinking, you better make the table. I think I rather pay you the $1500 than do it myself. If I was to do it, it wouldn’t be perfect and it sounds like it would cost me a lot more.
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one should 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.
