Question from Fred

I wanted to ask a question regarding pricing.

I have a commission work, a gecko, 70cm to 100cm to be place on an outside wall.

I do not want to give the wrong price, as I have to consider the materials necessary for this work, but what about the actual work?

Can you help please?

Many thanks

Regards
Fred

Reply from Brett

Hi Fred

Thanks for your question.

I’m assuming this is your first paid commission ‚ congratulations!

The first thing I’d say is that what money you get paid for this one doesn’t really matter – the excitement experience you get from the project will be worth far more to you in the long run.

The trick to pricing your work is to accurately figure out the actual cost of your materials and how long it will take in time.

Materials costs are easier – just write down all the costs involved and add them up. Obviously things like tiles, glues, grouts, backing boards, but also your cost to install the work (if you’re doing it) postage, insurance and even packing. I like to allow a bit extra (10-25%) for unexpected costs too.

If you’d made some mosaic works previously, you may have a good idea of how long the project will take. If you don’t, then you’re going to have to make your best estimate. Think, how long will it take to design the work, chop up lay the tiles, prepare glue grout, polish the work, cleanup, fix your hanging hardware then add 10 – 25% (remember you had to go shopping for the materials and you’ll probably blow some time you hadn’t expected).

Obviously then you’ll need to work out an hourly rate and multiply it by the hours it will take.

If your experience is the same as mine was the first time I did that, you might be quite horrified at the total figure you come up with – and so might your client!!

If that’s so, you just need to bring the labour content (in other words – your hourly rate) back to a figure you’re comfortable with and that your client can live with. You won’t be the first to do that I can assure you.

Mosaics are an awfully labour intensive business and the reality is, you most likely won’t get a decent hourly rate until you’ve become quite efficient in your work practices, have all the time saving tools & have built a reputation that commands higher rates.

Always bear in mind too that you’re getting paid for doing something you love and you’re starting to build a reputation – it definitely helps.

If you keep a record of your estimates & actual costs, you’ll eventually get a feel for it can make quotes based on the area to be mosaiced (a price per square metre), but always keep an eye on the extras like installation costs – you need to get labour travel time for those too.

The name of the game in my opinion is to get the ball rolling by getting the commission experience & start to work your price up as you get busier.

I hope you find that helpful and that this is the first of many commissions in the future.

Cheers

Brett

Reply from Fred

Many thanks Brett

As usual you respond promptly and I really appreciate all your ideas and comments.

Thank you again.

Fred 😀