{"id":1914,"date":"2021-11-02T02:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T23:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=1914"},"modified":"2022-04-23T17:49:12","modified_gmt":"2022-04-23T14:49:12","slug":"woodcarvers-guide-how-much-to-charge-selling-woodcarvings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/woodcarvers-guide-how-much-to-charge-selling-woodcarvings\/","title":{"rendered":"Woodcarver’s Guide: How Much To Charge Selling Woodcarvings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you\u2019re okay with parting with your woodcarvings, it is possible to make money \u2013 even full-time income<\/a>! \u2013 by selling them. However, before you can start making sales, there are a number of considerations you must weigh \u2013 and one of the most important ones is figuring out how much you can sell your woodcarvings for<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every carver has their own method of pricing carvings, so it is always hard to say how much you can sell a woodcarving for. However, two of the most common options are charging by the hour and by carving area (that is, by square inch). Of course, there are several other considerations you must keep in mind as well, including material costs, the complexity of carving, and other similar factors.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these general rules of thumb will help you come up with an initial price<\/strong>, this may not be the final sales price<\/strong> of the carving. If you\u2019re wondering how to reach a final number<\/strong>, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Price Wood Carvings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, there are two major ways<\/strong> in which you can price your carvings: by the hour<\/strong> or by carving area<\/strong>. Additionally, if you\u2019re carving vertical sculptures, you may also choose to price by height<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the Hour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pricing by the hour<\/strong> is exactly what it sounds like \u2013 you set a base, per hour price<\/strong> that you\u2019re willing to accept, and then price your carvings<\/strong> based on how long it took you to make them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this also means having to choose the right hourly rate<\/strong> for your work. It\u2019s essential for carvers to make sure that they don\u2019t quote too low an hourly rate<\/strong> when using this method \u2013 ideally, it should be no lower than $10 per hour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the minimum wage<\/strong> in your state is higher than $10<\/strong>, your hourly rate should<\/strong> increase<\/strong> to reflect this. Similarly, you may need to raise your hourly rate<\/strong> if the<\/strong> piece<\/strong> you are working on is extremely complex and detailed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, as you increase in skill<\/strong>, your rate should increase<\/strong> as well \u2013 intermediate carvers<\/strong> can often charge between $25 and $50 an hour<\/strong>, depending on the complexity of the piece and the client they are working for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Carving Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a slow carver<\/strong>, you may find that charging by the hour isn\u2019t feasible, as the prices<\/strong> you demand will be higher than<\/strong> most people are willing to pay<\/strong>. Similarly, fast and experienced carvers<\/strong> who price by the hour will end up selling<\/strong> skilled work for<\/strong> far less than it\u2019s worth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An alternative to pricing your work by the hour is to price by carving<\/strong> area<\/strong>. This is especially effective for relief carving, nameplates<\/strong>, and other similar projects, as they can often be challenging to price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with charging by the hour, your prices<\/strong> per square inch will differ depending<\/strong> on<\/strong> the type of carving<\/strong>, the piece\u2019s complexity<\/strong>, and who you\u2019re carving for<\/strong>. However, as a general rule<\/strong>, if you\u2019re just starting out as a woodcarver, you should charge about $1.50 per square inch<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More experienced<\/strong> carvers can change significantly<\/strong> more<\/strong>, with prices reaching $2.50 per square inch and above<\/strong>. If you\u2019re just starting out as a woodcarver, don\u2019t forget to increase your prices as you gain the relevant experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Height<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While pricing by square inch can be effective, calculating the figures can often be challenging if you\u2019re carving standing sculptures, especially ones that are life-sized<\/strong> or near life-sized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In such cases, the best option is to price<\/strong> your pieces by height<\/strong>. More carvers set a base price for<\/strong> carvings that are about 5 feet<\/strong> in height. Taller carvings<\/strong> will require you to set up scaffolding<\/strong>, which increases<\/strong> the complexity<\/strong> of the piece \u2013 and<\/strong>, therefore, its price<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For experienced carvers<\/strong>, a good rule of<\/strong> thumb<\/strong> when it comes to charging by height<\/strong> is to price pieces at $150-200 per foot<\/strong> for pieces up to 5 feet<\/strong> in height and add about $200-300 per additional foot<\/strong> of carving after. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, a $7 foot sculpture would range in price between $1150 (5 feet x $150 + 2 feet x $200) and $1600 (5 feet x $200 + 2 feet x $300).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s essential to keep in mind that the methods mentioned above<\/strong> are only rules of thumbs<\/strong>. There are a number of considerations that can change the prices<\/strong> you set for your woodcarving pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors That Influence Price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As mentioned above, there are several factors that can influence the way you price your woodcarving pieces. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This primarily means the wood you\u2019re using<\/strong> for a given piece, as well as any finishing products you may be using. The higher<\/strong> the quality<\/strong> of<\/strong> the materials<\/strong> used, the more you should price<\/strong> your products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you\u2019re making a piece using a rare wood<\/strong> like purple heart or Bubinga, your prices<\/strong> will be significantly higher<\/strong> than<\/strong> if you were making the same carving<\/strong> but using basswood<\/strong> instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the cost of your tools<\/strong> is not included<\/strong> when considering material costs. The only exception<\/strong> is if you need to purchase specialty tools<\/strong> that you would not need for other carving projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, your final price<\/strong> should be at least double<\/strong> the price of your materials<\/strong>. If you\u2019re ever in a bind on how to price your products, this thumb rule should give you the lowest price you should accept<\/strong>, after which you can revise prices higher if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complexity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though two pieces may be of the same dimensions, this doesn\u2019t mean that they are of the same complexity<\/strong>. For example, you may work on two identical pieces of wood, creating two sculptures that are both 5 feet high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if one sculpture is of a single bear standing up, while the other is of a mother bear and her cub, you will likely have spent longer<\/strong> and worked harder<\/strong> on<\/strong> the more complex<\/strong> piece \u2013 the second one. In such a situation, you will need to increase the price<\/strong> of the second sculpture to<\/strong> better reflect the additional work<\/strong> you\u2019ve put into it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carving Style<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous ways in which carving style can affect the way you price your products. For example, if you\u2019re best-known<\/strong> for<\/strong> your relief carving<\/strong> skills, you can likely price relief pieces higher<\/strong> than<\/strong> you could for whittled pieces<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, you may find some carving methods easier or more challenging than others. Just because you\u2019re comfortable carving with a knife, for example, does not mean you\u2019ll be just as familiar with chainsaw carving<\/a>. If you are interested in learning how to preserve a chainsaw carving<\/a>, If you\u2019d like to know more be sure to check it out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this situation, you can adjust your price depending on<\/strong> why<\/strong> you\u2019re using a different carving method<\/strong>. For example, if you\u2019re doing so to gain experience<\/strong> in a new method, you should likely price your pieces lower<\/strong> than usual, as they will be \u201cpractice\u201d pieces you work on while you perfect your skills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if a piece is<\/strong> a commission<\/strong> and the commissioner<\/strong> insists<\/strong> on<\/strong> a particular carving method<\/strong> despite your own preferences, you can increase the prices<\/strong> to make up<\/strong> for the inconvenience<\/strong>, as well as for the additional time<\/strong> and effort<\/strong> you\u2019ll spend on the piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uniqueness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While every piece you carve on will be unique, given that it is a handmade piece, there are some pieces<\/strong> that stand out<\/strong> above others. For example, a spoon-maker may make several traditional soup spoons that are relatively similar to each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For customers who purchase these spoons, there is not a lot of variation<\/strong> between one spoon and the next. They\u2019re paying for quality and the handmade aspect of the piece, not because it stands out. In such situations, you will often find that slightly<\/strong> lower prices<\/strong> can be more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if you\u2019re creating a truly one-of-a-kind<\/strong> design \u2013 or<\/strong> have been commissioned<\/strong> to create something completely unique<\/strong> \u2013 you can significantly increase<\/strong> your prices. After all, the customer<\/strong> will be paying for<\/strong> both your carving<\/strong> skills<\/strong> and the time<\/strong> you spent on<\/strong> the design<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially important<\/strong> if you\u2019re working on a piece<\/strong> that you cannot<\/strong> replicate<\/strong> in the future \u2013 as such a clause limits your ability to use the skills you learned on that job to improve your other work, a higher price<\/strong> will make up for<\/strong> the potential losses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You\u2019re Willing to Part With It For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some woodworkers may find it challenging to part with their work<\/strong>, especially if it\u2019s one-of-a-kind<\/strong> or holds special meaning<\/strong>. In such situations, you may choose to put a high price label on the piece when pricing your work \u2013 the higher cost representing<\/strong> what value you put on it<\/strong> and what it would take for you to part with it<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You\u2019d Be Willing To Pay For It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another consideration to keep in mind is how much you\u2019d be willing to pay for a piece<\/strong> if you decided to buy something similar from another woodworker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you\u2019ve priced a product at $40<\/strong> but would only<\/strong> be willing to spend $10<\/strong> on it yourself, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ve priced your piece too high<\/strong>. On the other hand, if you\u2019d be willing to buy something for $100<\/strong> but<\/strong> are selling<\/strong> it for $20<\/strong>, you\u2019re undoubtedly pricing it too low<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking to see how much you\u2019d pay for a particular product before you confirm a price will prevent you from overpricing and underpricing<\/strong> your products, especially<\/strong> when<\/strong> you\u2019re only just starting to sell your carvings<\/strong>. Once you\u2019ve got some experience with selling<\/strong> them, you\u2019ll have a better grasp<\/strong> on what you should<\/strong> charge for a<\/strong> given piece<\/strong> without worrying about whether you\u2019d be willing to shell out that amount of money for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details on how keeping in mind what you\u2019d be willing to pay for the carving and how much money it would take to make you part from a piece can help you determine your prices, take a look at this YouTube video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xRSfbj3Zkjs&ab_channel=carverswoodshop<\/a>