UPDATE: Excel spreedsheet attached to post in a zip file.

Whoa! Now that entire post (and attached file) was VERY helpful!

Thanks Andrew!
-Michele

An extended question on how much to charge?

What's a good price for wages? I'm using the calculator, but really, how do I factor in wages on a per hour basis? Do I just pick a per hour wage that seems right for me? Or is there a good average wage that other people use in general? (Please keep in mind the differences in our currencies - I'm in Australia, and our minimum wage is higher than the US)

How much is your time worth an hour? There really is not a standard here since it does depend on location. Even in the states the hourly wage for the same "job" in different states well vary. I would say an  range for the states would be $15 - $25 an hour.

Well, I settled on $7.50 p/hour, simply cause it seemed reasonable. I also think it's to do with my experience; the more experience you have, the more you can get away with charging. I know I'm probably losing out by charging so little, but I really don't think I could get away with even $15 p/hour over here.

Well, I settled on $7.50 p/hour, simply cause it seemed reasonable. I also think it's to do with my experience; the more experience you have, the more you can get away with charging. I know I'm probably losing out by charging so little, but I really don't think I could get away with even $15 p/hour over here.

Na

I thought the same way in my earlier years and learned from Shawn and other more experienced builders. If you are in this for the long haul it is best to not undercharge. This sends out a message that you are in-expensive and this in return may symbolize that you do unsatisfactory work. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that you do.
I just saying that you don't need to compromise yourself buy charging less. You have a impressive website and that will eventually attract others. The prices Shawn quoted are reasonable................ Just remember you can always offer a company discount but it is hard to raise the price once you have it set in stone.
Just my opinion.................... Don't sell yourself short!

Billy D.

Thanks - I know I underestimate the price.

I've figured out that prices on my website are perhaps too high for the market; that is, people come to my site generally because they want free or cheap stuff. So that's why I'm adding products that are under $10.

But for commissions, I need to find a way to convince myself to charge a decent amount. The issue is also that people who are contacting me for commissions are generally also people who want the above (free or cheap), and don't consider a puppet for several hundreds or thousands of dollars reasonable. I seem to have hit that 'mom at home' market by accident... (sorry for the use of the image - I can't think of a better, or less insensitive, phrase to describe it)

I think my biggest problem is that I have no way of really comparing to what other puppeteers here charge for commissions on similar builds.

Oh well - I sent in my quote today, and I hope it's reasonably between what I need (I did account for both materials, labour, and a profit) and what the people can afford or consider professional but not over-priced.

Na,

I checked a currency converter and it stated 7.50 AUD = 7.00287 USD.
Currently the Federal Minimum wage is $5.85 in the US.
I am not sure about Australia Minimum wage but I did find one reference (March 2007) that stated $15.83 per hour (Casual Employees).

I think that on your next quite you should increase your hourly wage to at least $15.85. You're well worth it.   That does not mean you can't offer products that would be affordable to individuals buying stock puppets you make, but companies looking for custom work well pay a decent price.

Thanks Shawn. Actually, there are different ways I could do 'minimum wage'. I'm not sure what the national average is, but in theatre, you can earn anywhere between $15 p/hour and $22 p/hour (there's no set award rate for designers that I can find, but a stage manager working full time can earn as much as $22). In the hospitality industry, you'll be lucky to earn $12 p/hour.

Maybe I could take a mean between all of them; and next time, up the price!

Hi all:

I saw the thread start up and have been waiting in the wings to see what the general consensus was before posting.

First, the scenario you propose, a basic workshop, involves a lot of variables broken down into materials and time. 

The materials variables would be:
1.  The cost of the materials
2.  What it cost you to obtain the materials such as shipping, millage to vendors, the time you spent shopping, the time it takes to break down the materials into individual units and packaging the units.  Also, any wastage due to participant mistakes.
3.  Mark up on those costs.
4.  Break down per participant.

Your time variables would be:
1.  How much time will the actual workshop be?
2.  How much time do you need to prepare for the workshop?  Are you going to write a set of notes? Make a prototype?  Set up time at the workshop site?
3.  Your travel time to and from the workshop. 

There is also one big expense that can't be included in the above, but also can't be ignored.  Millage to and from the workshop.

Also, even if you aren't a professional and don't aspire to be a professional you should still strive to do a professional job since you will be competing with professionals, even if you are the only workshop provider in the immediate area.  It does no one any good and isn't fair to professionals to under sell and then explain that you can charge less because of this.

What I would recommend is that you check out some workshop rates by professional groups which you can research online, charge and average fee based on those figures, track all the variables on your first workshop and then compare your expenses to your income from the fee you charge.  This would be fair to you since you should make some money for your efforts and fair to the competition.  As long as you do the best job for your workshop participants that you can then everybody wins.

Marty

I forgot to comment on minimum wage.

If you are working for someone, at least in the U.S., that pays minimum that is not the only expense they see for employing you.  They are paying unemployment and workers comp insurance.  They may also be supplying tools, a facility, even transportation.

I used to work for a cabinet shop that charged $45 per hour for custom work.  The guys in the shop were only making about $8/hour.  The difference was the hidden costs of employment.

Even if you are self-employed which doesn't require you to pay these additional expenses you still have to take this things into consideration.

Marty