What's up guys I'm pickin up a sewing machine today or tomorrow whenever it gets it and was wondering if u could possible pm me a list of ur labor prices for seats door panels headliners and all that I would really appriciate it! Thanks!
I think you more or less post your own prices until you get a good flow of custmers, its all about attracting them. I would think the set prices would be for large shops.
Yeah I hear you bro I'm just trying to make sure I'm not over charging or under charging u know. I'm gonna be doing it outta my house so I'm for sure not gonna charge what shops do and also I've haven't been doing it as long as most dudes who have shops
You need to figure out what your time is worth...and not go by someone else's prices. A guy that has been in business 20 years is going to have a price totally different than yours, and the guy that's been doing his own thing in a warehouse for the past 5 is going to have the overhead, lights, insurance, etc to figure into his price. Everything varies by area, and that includes quality...are you good enuff to claim you do quality work...??? Or you ain't got a clue on what is quality or not...??? YOUR customers will let you know if you are overcharging...and if they don't say a thing to you other than thanks, then you know you're on the "under" side. Being in business is all about YOUR time, your quality, and YOUR name... R-
And this actually began with "I'm getting a sewing machine today or tomorrow"? I guess my upholstery guy's idea of a minimum 5 year apprenticeship and starting with furniture to learn the trade is old-fashioned and silly. Well heck, let's all just go us some sewing machines then! No point in enrolling in that Junior College 2year upholstery program either.
If you have no customers at all, and you you do is give quotes and samples, you have one of two problems....your price is too high, or your quality is not.......
For what it is worth...Im a professional tattoo artist. I have been tattooing for 10 years, own my own shop. If someone got on a tattoo forum and said "Hey, getting a tattoo gun in the mail sometime this week, what should I charge for tattoos?" it would make me physically ill. Now, I do not know your situation at all, maybe you are a naturally gifted individual, but seems like if you are just getting a machine, and do not know what the professionals charge, you are just getting into the game. I would start by doing your own upholsery, then hooken some buddies up for cost of materials, and go from there. Unlike the tattoo business, at least around here, there are a few really gifted individuals that do automotive related business's from their garage just as good, if not better than the guys with shops...and for a LOT cheaper. Best of luck to you with your business venture...
I've actually done the 2 yr program here @ my local trade school and have worked at various upholstery shops off and in the last 6 yrs. I've done side jobs with my aunts machine and now its time get my own
I'm sorry fellas should have mentioned this before so like some of u have mentioned that it seems like this is my first go round.
i didn't mean any disrespect,your post caught me a bit off guard. i painted cars and airplanes for years,still do as a hobby..young guy comes in my shop....asks a lot of questions,visits with my customers..looks at my labor sheet on my wall..2 weeks later,he comes in my shop p***ing out fliers for his new painting shop a mile away from mine..his rates are half of what mine are.. so i am and was a bit touchy there! and i spent the next year fixing 4 cars he started and quit on...
good luck,but if you are goung to do the upholstery work in the same garage you do paint and mechanics in..build a wall between it. that stuff will ruin a good job quick.
Hotrod-linkin thanks!! Ill be do my upholstery in my washroom! Haha the garage is for welding cutting grinding and sparks!! Hahaha
I also worked for a upholstery shop back in the 80s and I remembered that I like it very much! I was also thinking of doing work out of my garage. But for me it would be something that I'd enjoyed doing or making a few bucks to buy goodies for my project. Bottom line is its cool to have your own business!!
so you're just another one of those folks trying to get into the business huh .... OUT OF THEIR GARGAGE !! or in your case... Ba*****t... dude. you can't even begin to understand what it's going to take for this business.. lights, rent (or mortgage payment ) Insurance !!! just cause you can sew don't make you a Biniss man ... Good luck to you though.. and don't step on your locals shops toes for pricing either.... they tend to not like that AT ALL !!
Hey VonRuben! Business is business. When approached about a job, figure your time involved. Then add materials and any expenses to the mix. Ideally, you will want to make at least 30 to 35 percent (or more if you can!). Having a professional stich job is expensive so don't be shy about quoting high. Call around to your compe***iors and ask for a "ball park" figure if in doubt. Lastly, be sure the job is finished top notch and your customer is so happy he wants to tell all his friends. Hope this helps and best of luck with your new business! Rusty
Lighten up. I've been involved in a family run upholstery biz for almost 30 years. We ran it out of our garage, had/have insurance AND paid taxes. A warehouse and biz address doesn't make someone honest...Oh, and we just started it back up since our interior decorating biz is way down (follows the housing market). Good luck Ruben.
Reputation is the most important thing not where you run your business.I have a friend who doe's upholstery and runs his business out of his house.He's honest, does quality work and has good prices.He also pays his taxes.He's done cars for Barris,Dean and Lime Works.Most of his work is by word of mouth because of his reputation not where he runs his business.Ruben be honest,take care of your customer,figure out what your time is worth,cost of materials and length of time to design and complete the job.Do your car and some friends cars and show them at some local car shows to get your name out there to start building your reputation.
51 Mercules you said it right. be honest, charge whats fair and pay your tax's !! and if you do good quality work you won't have to worry about what the next job is... it'll be waiting for you in line !! But it does seem kinda strange to me that an aweful lot of you guys in Cali work out of your house's though ... hmmmmm ....
yeah you guys in Cali and AZ. Nevada got the weather all over us in the winter time but your housing cost's are ridiculous.... not to get off track of the thread ... sorry... Good Luck to you VonRuben on your Business adventure heed the advice listed in the above threads and above all Keep your fingers away from the needle and the glue out of your hair !! and don't forget your tax's... millions of illigal aliens are relying on us !! .... gonna get in trouble for that one huh !! keep smiling and Merry Christmas to all
If you are working on cars and trucks, I believe the correct word is "trim", not upholstery. At least that is the traditional terminology....
A friend of mine once said about being in business for yourself: If you find yourself too busy, raise your prices. I would think the converse to be true as well. Cosmo
I'm not tryin to start a business that's the last thing I wanna do. I have lots of friendsthat are into cars and mostly will be doing there upholstery and also people from my work. I would never quit my job and start a business with this because where I'm at now is a 6 figure job with cheap health insurance and a good 401k paid vacations and holidays! Haha
I just opened on O/T business - I am a plumbing contractor. Best thing that I did was take a 12 week course sponsored by they local SBDC (Small business development center) on writing a business plan. For a total out of pocket investment of $250, they provided the books, all of the templates for a well thought out and comprensive business and financial plan and a business coach. Each week (3 hour cl*** a week) there was a expert speaker on topics such as insurance, accounting, law, taxes, etc. Additionally, now that I have a taken an SBDC cl***, I now have lifetime access to their advisors for future consultations. Thankfully, I didnt have to take a loan out to start the business. After going through this process, i feel like when it is time to expand, buy a building, whatever - I know enough about by business to sit in front of the banker and be successful. They wont be able to tell you how to price your trade, but they can help you understand your costs and get you going down the right track. Good luck!
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