Price list?

[Brads86stang]

I searched but didnt see anything. I finally have my polishing stuff set up and have done a few pieces so I am ready to start working on some stuff for other people. Honestly I do it for fun, but if I can make some money, great. Do ya'll have a price list you wouldn't mind sharing so I can get an idea of what some other folks are charging. I am not planning to advertise here so, there shouldn't be any issue with taking business, only going to do stuff here locally for some friends.

Thanks
Brad

[Rasper]

I agree. There are few things a satisfying as watching a piece of metal come up to a mirror shine.

Baz is a pro. He can maybe give you some price info. I am a sculptor. I only polish my own work.

R

[Johnkitty]

I think we all can do polish by ourselves without asking others to do the simple things for us. But it can save time if we ask others to do polish for us with reasonable prices.

[Brads86stang]

Im starting with the polishing to fund the equipment ( slowly )to start powder coating ...but I saw in the local Harbor Freight Sale paper yesterday they are having a sale and the blast cabinet I want is only 200 dollars this weekend. I need to figure out a way to get the extra coin and go ahead and get it...let the polishing fund the new air compressor.

[XK120DHC]

Im starting with the polishing to fund the equipment ( slowly )to start powder coating ...but I saw in the local Harbor Freight Sale paper yesterday they are having a sale and the blast cabinet I want is only 200 dollars this weekend. I need to figure out a way to get the extra coin and go ahead and get it...let the polishing fund the new air compressor.

Brad;
I've been a professional "Heavy Line Mechanic" since the mid '60's. (Heavy Line Mechanic just means I had to be able to repair EVERYTHING on the car or motorcycle... stem to stern!).. I also did restorations (full Frame-Off) of classic cars. The only "work" I farmed-out was the chrome. I "started" doing "Mechanical Restorations" in the mid '70's out of my home garage as "side work" and built that into a business. I "retired" a few years ago (meaning I quit working on other people's cars and started working on MINE!)..
Pricing one's labor can be involved.. there are "things" to consider.. example: Your Tools.. These "cost" money AND they wear out or break.. You have to have an idea of what EACH tool "costs" per hour of use (some HF tools last decades, others last weeks.. be advised). There is also your "overhead".. even a "back-yard" operation has some form of overhead.. the tools don't run on free air. If you are sandblasting, then there is the amatorized cost of the blaster (pot or cabinet), the compressor, the media consumed, electricity, a percentage of the building it's in (even if it's an oak tree), taxes and, finally, your time.. How much are you worth? More accurately, how much is YOUR WORK worth? If you are doing half-assed work, don't expect the big bucks.. If you are doing "Show Quality" work, but are an "unknown" in the business, Don't expect the Big Bucks.. You need to produce ultra high quality work (even for your friends) AND you need to "build a reputation".. That, by itself, can double the price you charge!
When working in an area of aesthetic beauty (and beauty IS in the eye of the customer), your efforts are ONLY worth what the customer is willing to pay.
In the end, you must "pay" your tools, "pay" your building (rent/mortgage), "pay" your utilities, "pay" your taxes (income, property), "pay" your employee (yes, YOU are an employee), AND the "company" has to make a profit in the end.. You cannot do this type work with a net sum of zero.. You'll NEVER get ahead if you do..
Lastly, see my posts in the Powdercoating section, under the thread of "I need a compressor" about what is required for a minimum size air compressor.. The fellow who asked that question ignored the like advise of three people, bought a cheap-sh*t, underpowered, inadequate compressor then blamed the pressure blaster for his failings.
The most expensive tools you will ever buy are those of poor/inferior quality and those that are inadequate for the job. The adage of "Buy Quality and Buy Once" strongly applies!
I know this was not a "direct" answer, but it IS information you NEED to know.. I hope it helps.

[Brads86stang]

Charles, it helps a great deal. I wish I was at the point where I could by REALLY HIGH quality tools.. but I cant, so my plan is to do the absolute best work I can with the tools I can afford...Praying the money does come in at least slowly... I will replace cheaper tools with better stuff, and hopefully improve the quality of my work as I do so.

In the few things I have polished for myself lately, I have already learned alot about the quality of buffs, polish, and when to switch from an abrasive to a more fine sheet of paper. I know I am not going to get rich, but I feel I can be successful because it ( polishing at this point, powder later ) is something I really enjoy and want to learn how to do better.