getting paid to build a model

[LAone]

hey guys,

now, as my title states. what would someone start charging to build a model? i know detail is important, but there really isnt much to the kit and so far just sounds like he wants a replica of what it looks like, not so much like chassis and suspension details.(im getting more info on that)

i was just asked if i could build a model of a corolla. itll be curbside, but would i have to scratch build a few parts to match it to the 1:1. most likely will have to use a set of aftermarket wheels in my stash and of course the painting and so on.

but how do you justify scratch building and putting wheels that are currently super hard to get??

any help would be great.

luis

[Danno]

Going rate? About 19 cents an hour.

(At least, that's what it usually works out to be.)

Edited March 30, 2011 by Danno

[LDO]

It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Period. There is no "standard rate". Gerald Wingrove probably gets a bit more than someone who's starting with a plastic kit. Throw a price out there for your Corolla owner. If they agree, that's what it's worth.

You may find that your idea of what your time is worth is different than what your friend thinks your time is worth.

[Dr. Cranky]

I've always tried never to put myself in that situation. I build every once in a while a gift model for someone, but that's it. I learned while still young that you should never mix money with what you love to do.

[Scale-Master]

There's a lot of variables. You need to factor in kit and materials cost so you know what it will take to break even. Plus to what level are you building? What does the client expect? The time you spent has to be tempered with the results as the client sees the end product. Even if you spend say 500 hours building a relatively straight forward kit, if a die-cast looks better, it's a hard sell.

[Harry P.]

There's no way to answer that question... way too many variables.

The best way to come up with a price is to figure your material costs (kit, any aftermarket parts)... then do your best to estimate how many hours it will take you. Then multiply the hours by the amount you want to be making per hour (or the amount per hour you're willing to accept) and add the cost of materials to that to come up with your price.

[trogdor]

If he's a friend do it as a gift.

[LAone]

im getting more info from the guy as far as detail goes.

its the first time i have ever been asked to build for money. he is not a friend nor family. he's a guy on a 1:1 car forum that wants to give it as a gift. i am assuming to the owner of the car in question.

i have built some in the past for gifts. but to charge someone, never. i understand that there are many variables to it, but didnt realize how many.

i guess im really gonna have to think about it.

virgil: you made me lean more towards "dont do it" im still young i guess. but i do understand about mixing money and things you love to do. it can get fustrating. its one reason i didn't pursue becoming a full time mechanic. i love to work on cars, but when money became involved, i just hated it. this is another factor im going to think about.

thanks guys, every opinion counts. good or bad

[walt francis]

I'm with Virgil because if I get paid it turns into a job. I do paintings in pastel chalk and I give them away as gifts .

[Iron Fist]

If you want a simple rule of thumb, triple your material cost and thats the selling price; though as already mentioned you will probably still earn about $0.19 an hour.

[Jantrix]

I build every once in a while a gift model for someone, but that's it.

Feel free to lay one on me anytime Virgil.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Jantrix

[roadhawg]

I learned while still young that you should never mix money with what you love to do.

I don't necessarily agree with that. Think about it.....thats the same as saying the best way to earn a living is do something you don't like.

To be quite frank, I think it's quite smart to take what you enjoy doing and figure out how to make money at it.

I'm no "master builder" by any stretch of the imagination, but I do a few commision builds here and there....they run anywhere from $125 to $350, depending on whats needed. It's actually a good way to earn a few bucks for my own projects.

[Erik Smith]

I've heard the "triple the materials" cost estimation before too.

The difference in building your models for you verses one for a client is keeping on track - nothing is more annoying to a purchaser than missed deadlines. I made some furniture when I was into woodworking and it forced me to be working even when I really didn't want to be in order to get it completed. That soured me on building for money.

It works out differently for everyone, though, so throw out a number, if you both agree, go for it and learn from the process.

[Darin Bastedo]

I built a few models for pay before and it really doesn't matter how much you charge as usually if you do thing right and charge a fair price you will make less an hour than you would working at McDonalds.

[Greg Cullinan]

I would start with having the guy supply you with the materials,

that way if the sale don't go through you are only out your time.

[LAone]

thanks guys for the info.

i spoke to her, yup comes to find out he is a her. lols. after all this advice, i decided that i would build it as long as she pays for the kit, aftermarket parts ect..along with a hint that it can go past 100 bucks. once i do the work and she is happy with the out come, that she can "donate" a payment of what she feels its worth. i feel that this option could be the right one. this way it doesnt turn into a "job"

so we'll see what happens there.

thanks again guys.

[novadose71]

I have been building for 1 guy for about 6 years now, all factory stock curbside builds( a few posted here lately) and he usually supplies the kit, or promo,to start with. My price starts at $350 for a straight promo rebuild-one color body, one color interior, no engine or chassis detail. It goes up from there. Add for parts, chroming, two tones, multi-color interiors, vinyl tops, damage repairs, decals, etc, etc. The most I have charged was $500 for a build a few years ago. I have never done a full detail build for him, but he said he pays $1000-1500 for a plumbed and wired build..... it has to be factory correct and virtually perfect...too involved for me I'm not too interested in that. He told me he could take one build from me per month and I'm not too interested in that either. With 4 guys building for him at any given time, he's pretty serious about his collection.

I have never kept track of my time, I can assure you that the per hour pay is not all that high, but with a house, wife, 14 and 6 year old kids, extra spending cash is usually in short supply around here. Building 2-4 models per year has put plenty of extra money in my pocket, $700-1400 on the low end per year. That bought my camera, computer, a trip to Toledo NNL, plenty of 1:1 motorcycle/car parts and lots of old kits I never would have bought with my regular salary, so I feel it's worth it....It even helps pay some bills at times which helps keep my lovely wife happy .

I do try to maximize my building time by painting, foiling, flocking alongside my own projects and find that the extra time spent doesn't bother me all that much, although I have had a hard time letting a few of the builds go.

My Dad stole this from someone I can't recall, but he always told me to pick your two favorite things to do, save your #1 for a hobby and #2 for a profession. He'll also tell you that I never did listen.............I do #1 for fun, and #2 and #3 for money ....... to each his own, do what you like.

Good luck on your build

[Naydrus]

Feel free to lay one on me anytime Virgil.

Just noticed your avatar, I like. Nuff said.

[VW Dave]

I stopped doing 'contract' builds for many of the already-mentioned reasons; I still, however, build the occasional gift model - if you can keep it a secret until the presentation, I assure you it makes for a great gift.

If I were to do another contract build for a person I don't know personally, I would for sure ask for half of the agreed fee up front to cover the cost of materials....especially if it's a kit I have no interest in being stuck with.

[Jantrix]

Just noticed your avatar, I like. Nuff said.

Thanks. Hard to find one rated G, and still be cool & sexy.

I built a couple back in the 90's for a couple guys in a local car club. The price was fair at the time and I enjoyed the builds, but HATED to give them up when I was done. Neither model lasted more than 90 days after delivery. The first, a 67 Chevelle was crushed and melted all over an engine. Yep, the owner (we'll call him Brainiac) set it on his air cleaner during the car show, then shut the hood and drove it home. The second,a 32 roadster, never even made it out of the shipping box. It ended up getting crushed in the guys garage somehow. Funny thing is, they both called me and asked for another build. I turned them both down flat. I can't tell you how mad I am even now, twenty years later.

No one is going to take as good a care of your builds as you do. Perhaps some folks can divorce themselves from a build once it's out of their hands but I can't. I have to build one for a family member soon. I'm not looking forward to it.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Jantrix

[samdiego]

wait . . .is she hot?

[Darin Bastedo]

No one is going to take as good a care of your builds as you do. Perhaps some folks can divorce themselves from a build once it's out of their hands but I can't. I have to build one for a family member soon. I'm not looking forward to it.

I'm just the opposite. The thrill for me is the build. Once it's finished it's just another dust collector in mr display case. The Model I enjoy the most is always the one I'm working on.

[Models by Bear]

I have freinds who see my builds and go crazy over them . I watch the reaction they have , And the way they look at a certian one and give them that one.For the ones who ask how much would I charge to build them one . My response is simple . You buy the model and paint and i will build it for you . It's a good feeling giving them something they like . And doing something i enjoy as well.

[Von Don Koolkat]

When you are asking a high amount to build a specific model for somebody, they can all of a sudden become amazingly nit picky, requiring you to do a lot more work on it than you intended (repaints, etc.). You are better off to build it, tell them this is how much you want for it, and take it or leave it. And, sometimes you will end up keeping it...

Most regular people don't realize the time and effort that goes into our models.

[Lownslow]

going rate for me is 100 bucks for a box stock 150 if it involves aftermarket,wiring, or resin, 200 if something has to be opened or overly detailed.