I need some opinions on labor cost.

[Esteban86K5]

I have a neighbor that wants me to build some things for him and I wanted to get an idea of what you guys would charge. It would be building 30 of the same item and it would include cutting, welding, grinding and painting. He is going to supply all of the steel and material I may need, I just need to do all the work. It would ba an hourly rate but I don't know what to charge him. I usually give a bid for the gates I build depending on their size. But this is different.

Any suggestions?

THANKS!!!! :mrgreen:

[CaptainInsano]

80/hour is what the machinist here in Mountain View charges.

[Esteban86K5]

80/hour is what the machinist here in Mountain View charges.

:blink: I think he would pass out if I told him that price. Damn, I should be a machinist :D

[crewcabroller]

I usually factor in $55 an hour for anything I custom fab for people.

[jays68yak]

I would say it all depends on what it is.

How long would it take someone to home fab a diff cover? I mean to cut, grind, weld it all up. They aint making a full diff cover in 2 hours, from plate to cover. Or maybe Im just slow.

For the motorcycle cages that I fab up I get $200 for each one. Have around $50 in materials. I can spend 6-8 hours making one. Sometimes I work faster...or slower. So I make 20-26 an hour. Not great but its more then my day job and its side money.
Now the 12 bars for motorcycles. I get $100. Have maybe $15-20 in materials and can get one done in 2 hours. I would then make $40. I hate making these and thats why I get more for them.
If I were to raise my prices to make my labor rate better, I wouldnt have such a huge edge over competitors. Not to mention my shit is better. :p

So hes paying for materials. What about consumables? I would try to factor that in also. Again I would also weigh in what it is he wants you to make. How long is it going to take for each one? I say come up with a price that makes you want to do it, and also doesnt scare him off.

Feel me?

[Esteban86K5]

Feel me?

No thanks :flipoff2:

But yeah i get you.

I think I am going to make one for him and see how long it takes me and go from there. It's not really very complicated so i would assume it would only take about 30 minutes per piece when I start out. Bythe time I get in the groove of things it will probably be less time. I will probably just give him a set price to do all of them instead of an hourly quote. If I bust ass and get it done quickly then yeah for me. :2thumbs:

[KidJethro]

Is it just piece work/assembly? How complicated is the part? You gonna charge him per piece or by the hour? What are you building?

[Esteban86K5]

Is it just piece work/assembly? How complicated is the part? You gonna charge him per piece or by the hour? What are you building?

It's basically just cut, assemble, weld, clean up and paint. It's not very complicated at all. And I think I am just gonna charge him just one lump sum for the first 30. Then if he wants me to build more i will work something else out with him. I can't tell you what i am building as i am sworn to secrecy and I would be sued if i told you. :flipoff2:

[KidJethro]

Heh, well, fine then. If ya dont want my advice, its your loss. :flipoff2:

[Esteban86K5]

Heh, well, fine then. If ya dont want my advice, its your loss. :flipoff2:
LOL

It'a a stabilizer for motorhomes. It's basically long tube with different ends on it and a couple of sleeves and a coupld of nuts to weld in place.

[CaptainInsano]

If it were me I'd charge on a per piece basis. It's gonna be hard to come up with an hourly figure.

Find a comparable type part on the internet to base your price off.

[jays68yak]

I say dont do it at all. Go work on your frame! :flipoff2: