What's the going rates these days?

[Stephen Richard]

I don't really understand the pricing by area and then additionally by piece.  Is one to cover material costs, and the other time?

[Wayne]

And once you have decided on a pricing method or plan, you can post that price.  In reality, though, the piece we just made is worth only so much money, regardless of the pricing plan selected and there generally is a big difference in levels of quality.  And then the pricing becomes a method and ego oriented strategy.

[Kev]

I believe there could be many variables in a pricing strategy.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the pricing  per piece covers the complexity of the piece which accounts for time spent on it, while the price per square ft. acts as a base rate assuming the piece was simplistic with very few pieces, and ensures a profit even if the piece is not complex. Pricing by only one of the methods does not work..example:

A 2 sq. ft. panel with 20 pieces     2 sq. ft. x $50.00 = $100.00
                                                       + 20 pieces x $3.00 = $60.00
                                                         _______________________
                                                         Total Price $160.00

 2 sq. ft. panel with 100 pieces       2 sq. ft. x 50.00 = $100.00 (This would be the price if just pricing by the sq. ft.)
                                                 2 sq. ft = $100.00 + $300.00(100 pieces x $3.00) = Total price of $400.00    

My other thought is that a pricing per square foot could be worked out that takes into account the number of pieces..example:



Piece Count Based Pricing ( includes all supplies such as glass, lead, solder, etc...)

0-20 = $50.00 / sq. ft.
20 - 50 = $100.00 / sq. ft.
50 - 100 =$150.00 / sq. ft.
100 - 150 = $200.00 / sq. ft.                                    
150- 200 = $250.00 / sq. ft.
200 - 300 = $300.00 / sq. ft.
300 - 400 = $350.00 / sq. ft.
400 - 500 = $400.00 / sq. ft.
500 - 750 = $450.00 / sq. ft.
750 - 1000 = $500.00 / sq. ft.
1000 - 2000 = $550.00 / sq. ft.

This is just an example. The prices could be anything you set them to be and what you want to be paid for your work. This method would take into account the complexity of the piece being created and the square footage in one price. An additional surcharge could be added for the use of specialty glass, or process involved.

[Tre V]

Oh Kev , now you've gone and stirred the pot! 

[Kev]

ME?

[Graham]

As stated earlier I used $60 per sq ft + 3.00 per pc.

Both factors can vary. The per s/f charge can go up or down based on materials costs. the 60 covers glass of the $10 to $15 retail range. Higher cost glass will hype the price. Glass like float or glue-chip will lower the price. This factor also serves to "equalize" the per piece charge, in that each piece doesn't cost the same or take the same amount of time. Anyone who says that a piece is a piece is a piece has never cut, ground and foiled a single piece that's 1 s/f of wierd shaped glass. Larger projects generally have larger pieces. I also chatrge a little less for lead than foil.

The per piece charge can vary from a low of about $2 to a high or maybe $4. A bunch of squares or diamonds cost a lot less to create than flower petals and leaves. Really intricate designs and difficult cutting can raise the per pc. charge.

This is all seen through the filter of my experience and expectations. Based on years of record keeping, I could fiddle the factors and come up with an answer that more often than not, got the job; and having done the job, paid me a decent wage. If one can create such a formula based on one's own productivity, life is OK.

On each project, especially the larger ones, I always performed a post audit to see if my formula was still working for me.

[Rebecca]

I put everything into GlassEye, then into Quickbooks.  Then think about it. 

Rebecca

[Kev]

Thinking is a good thing Rebecca...LOL

 I too use Glasseye as a guide, and then determine my price keeping that information in mind.

[JoanFrances]

question, with price increases a certainity, how do you address your quotes. 

If you have consistantly used lets say 50.00 a square foot and say 3.50 for each piece, how do you determine true profit when you have to replace the glass and supplies at a higher purchase price.  Or is that only for those who use a mark up on supplies and glass and then charge the price per piece?

[Graham]

I put everything into GlassEye, then into Quickbooks.  Then think about it. 

Rebecca

Think????
Interesting concept.

[Graham]

If you have consistantly used lets say 50.00 a square foot and say 3.50 for each piece, how do you determine true profit when you have to replace the glass and supplies at a higher purchase price.

It goes back to keeping good records. You won't know the true profitability until you tally up at the end. "Consistantly" is not necessarily a good thing. Adjustments to the $50.00 and $3.50 should be made to reflect the true situation.

To protect against price increases - date you quote, and make it good for 15-30-60 days or whatever you feel comfortable with, so that you won't have to swallow the increases.