How much to charge????

**knotme** · 06-11-2008, 01:44 PM

I was sitting at the dentists office waiting for my kids appts. I was crocheting on a baby afgan and the receptionist ordered 3 baby girl afgans on the spot. what is a good going rate for these??? (hope I posted in the right category)

**YankeeMom** · 06-11-2008, 02:15 PM

Usually it's 2-3x the cost of the materials. You're never going to get a decent "per hour" rate. Most people just won't pay that kind of money. You'll be lucky to get someone willing to pay 2-3x the cost of materials. Shoot, sometimes I'm lucky I can get someone to pay for just the materials

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-11-2008, 02:28 PM

Sad it say my experience is that most people don't want to pay you what its worth. They don't think of the time involved.

For my crafting I figure 2 to 3 times what the materials cost depending on how much time really is involved.

**knotme** · 06-11-2008, 02:58 PM

Thank you for the replies. I usually just give my stuff away and don't try selling it. that is why it is so hard for me to figure a cost. I have found that people in my area think it is okay if you are a SAHM, it is okay to make do etc stuff for them while they are out working, and give them a price break. (so not fair) Sorry for venting here. thanks again for your opinions.

**Missy** · 06-11-2008, 03:07 PM

i would try it at 3 times the cost of supplies

I would charge more if they were specific about hte pattern they wanted you to use.

**FrugalMomof3** · 06-11-2008, 03:08 PM

I agree with 2-3x's the cost to make it but you can set a price you feel YOU would pay for one and go from there. Since the lady already ordered, what is the price you quoted her?

**knotme** · 06-11-2008, 06:33 PM

I never quoted her a price. I told her I would have to think about a price and she said OK.

**happimommi** · 06-11-2008, 06:36 PM

I would charge 2x the cost of materials if it is an easy pattern and adjust the price accordingly as the difficulty of the pattern increases.

**Lady_V** · 06-11-2008, 06:39 PM

You may also want to consider ... having HER buy the yarn (so she gets exactly the color she wants) and you charge her $20.

I have done that before with neighbors, once they have the yarn, they will happily pay someone ELSE to make it in to something more than a pile of string.

**itsahumanzoo** · 06-11-2008, 07:00 PM

I agree with everyone else about 2-3x the cost of materials.

A nice baby blanket at Target costs about $15 to $20. I would charge no less than that.

**Jamauk** · 06-11-2008, 08:11 PM

As I was starting my quilting business this is how we came up with our pricing structure:

First thing I figured out was how much money I (realisticly) wanted to make in a month.

Then I figured how many hours I was willing to work each month

Divided the first by the second and got my hourly "wage".

Added up my materials (I had to figure in wear and tear on my machine, a portion of the cost of cutting mats, rotary blades, thread, batting, etc...).

I figured out how long it takes me to make each pattern offered. I multiplied that time by my hourly wage and then added my materials cost.

(the way my business is set up, people supply me with their own fabric - they are only buying my labor).

Hope this helps some....

**knotme** · 06-12-2008, 09:14 AM

thank you everyone for the input. I am leaning towards a flat $25 per afgan. Will let you all know how this turns out after it is a done deal.

**knitnmom** · 06-12-2008, 11:25 AM

I agree with all the replies. It's sad that the art is undervalued, but it is. I'd be interested to hear how all this plays out. I remember once, years ago, someone asked me to make an American flag afghan, the one done in squares and sew together. I quote her $90- including all the yarn- and she balked at that and said I was asking too much. I was glad I didn't have to do it because of all the work involved and the pressure of a deadline, but to this day I still can't believe she said that!

I've now made it a rule not to do any "work" for anyone else. I would rather do things at my leisure and give them as gifts.

**BetterLateThanNever** · 06-12-2008, 12:12 PM

I agree with charging about 3 times the cost of material. I would also confirm a price with her before and get a deposit to healp with purchasing materials but also to make sure she's really interested. I like the idea about having her buy the yarn. People can ge soooo picky about color.

**knotme** · 06-25-2008, 02:33 PM

I quoted her a price of $25 per afgan and she was fine with that. Hope to have them finished by next week. Already have 1 finished and am half done the 2nd. (if it turns out that she doesn't take them, means that I am ahead 2 afgans for baby gifts for some of my friends and family, so I won't be out anything)