What should I charge to build a scale model?

[Phil G]

My Brother's boss has a Tamiya scale model that he wants to have built. He started on it and found out he was in over his head and (thank goodness) stopped.

The boat is:

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/plastic/135militaryminiatureseries/35150.html

It has the instructions and paint and the usual stuff (I'll use MY brushes, and airbrush, thanx) in the box with it...

I'm just wondering what I should charge this guy to build it?

I don't want to slap it together. He can do that.

I'll do all the details if I do it at all. He might even want a diorama-type thing in a lexan case.

I don't want to put more effort into it than he's willing to pay for either...

What would YOU do? Agree on a fixed price, or an hourly rate?

How do you estimate the time required?

If somebody asked YOU to build one, what would you charge?

[fgroza]

First off, what value do you put on your time? If you want to do it as a favor, do it for fixed rate. If you do it professionally, charge by the hour. It's not unheard of to get several hundred or even thousands of dollars for a good model.
Whatever you do, don't get into it and realize your not going to make anything because of unexpected build problems.
Something else, get a non-refundable deposit up front. I have been burned before by a " change of my mind" syndrome.

Good Luck
Frank:)

[LawrenceHare]

This is a project for which you should have a contract. There are essentially two types of billing rates for this type of project: Time & Materials and Fixed Price.

The first, T&M, puts the risk on the customer, but you can rest assured that if it takes longer than expected you are at least covered. Usually there is a cap on this type of charge.

Fixed Price puts the risk on you, but you can make a bundle if you can come in under your estimate.

Either way, it is the estimate that makes or breaks you. Use your experience and try to guess what you think your time will be. Then add a risk factor, 300% is not unusual! Especially in programming. Also it depends on the model, how much experience you have and how well you know it. Risk is the key issue here. Be generous. If you are in a bidding situation and you want to use the account as a reference, well - you may be willing to "risk" taking a loss; else - maybe not!

Like many things, the end price is often surprisingly high, but surprisingly real! To prospective customers unfamiliar with the type of work you are proposing it can often be a serious shock. They will larf and snort, then they will shop around and - often - return somewhat humiliated! Working with friends and family can be a serious problem though...

Whatever you do, have a written agreement. Gentlemen's agreements invariably prove that the parties involved are not gentlemen!

Good luck... Risky venture.

Lawrence

[Phil G]

Thanks!

Good advice, and consistent with what I had in mind.

Kind of an "in-between" situation...

:)

[flailing]

I have the kit you mention and it is a pretty easy build with lots of neat items like the boom box and the bottles, most of your time will be spent painting. The deck overlaps the hull so you don't have to deal with the seam, I always spend hours and hours on the dang seam. Mine took about 40 hours to finish with about 30 of them painting. Hope that helps.

[Phil G]

Thanks!

The time estimate is what I really needed...

Now I just have to see how badly he wants it built!

;)