The Upholster.com Forum

The Business Of Upholstery => The Business Of Upholstery => Topic started by: Icupholstery on March 16, 2012, 03:51:50 pm

Title: Labor time boat interior
Post by: Icupholstery on March 16, 2012, 03:51:50 pm
Was wonder the average labor time you guys charge for a pontoon Interior  it has two smaller benches and a larger L shape bench.  And what the average cost for boat interior I would appreciate it just seeing if my prices are good.
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: MinUph on March 16, 2012, 04:05:14 pm
Your prices are just that "your prices". No one else can tell you if your prices are good. Every area of the country has different pricing structures. What is good for you depends on your costs, overhead, etc.
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: Icupholstery on March 16, 2012, 04:29:11 pm
Let me re phrase that then how many working hours does it take you marine guys to do a full interior that would be helpful to know. 
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: Ihavenoname on March 16, 2012, 09:21:34 pm
Post a photo of the job so I can see exactly what we are talking about.
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: stitcher_guy on March 17, 2012, 06:15:07 am
Still hard to say. Some pontoons use the plastic formed seats that have no rot, but still get removed for full recovering. Other customers want just panels fixed and repaired. Some customers are willing to recreate their design, while others are just looking for a party barge and don't care if you do a simple pattern as a replacement. Different materials are different prices. Etc. It all figures in, which is why customers at my shop just have to accept that I work on a materials/labor per hour basis (currently $55/hr).

My basic rule of thumb with boats in this area (flat fields of Illinois with no real bodies of water anywhere close) -- especially if someone is just tire kicking and not committed to actually doing the work -- basic base cushions are $150 - $200. The big bench seats on a pontoon will be $300 - $500. Most of the pontoons around here price out between $1,800 - $2,500. Any more than that and the customers turn purple, gasp for air, stumble backwards in shock and realize that it's expensive to drink a lot of beer sitting out in the local puddle with their freeloader friends.
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: Mike on April 12, 2012, 06:43:18 pm
also some toon bases are plastic while other require vinyl covering.
to awnser your time question an easy job no bases about 4 days with 5?
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: baileyuph on May 19, 2012, 07:38:39 pm
Just post a picture of a specific boat and state the customers requirements in terms of design and foam rework. What is important is the time it takes and are you realizing a decent return on your work? If you are not able to make a living by your current strategy then look at the issue and ask yourself is the problem really price or is it experience?

When I estimate a job, first I estimate the time required to meet the customer specifications?

Once I have a time figure, then the charges for materials have to be added.

Your shop rate is a figure that provides you a return from your investment, overhead, and time. If you are making a living, you are probably doing OK, provided it keeps you busy.

Just some ideas, there are several dimensions to running a business and then the skill required at what you do.  I have seen good business people who didn't know much about the skill of doing the job (they hired the skill), and I have seen good craftsmen without the business understanding. IT takes both usually to be successful, especially if the one involved does it all.

Just some ideas for you, they are worth just about what you paid for them.

Doyle
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: Mike on June 20, 2012, 10:20:37 am
Plastic bases seats and backs only. 4 days.

(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2FUpholstery%2Fb905e560.jpg&hash=08197c2bed30924b807f0bb4323d8b35)
link (http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/Upholstery/b905e560.jpg)


Plastic bases whats seen plus two folding fishing seat up front
3 days
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2FUpholstery%2Fb232ae29.jpg&hash=687debd85babaac123ee3d631b64a27c)
pic (http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/Upholstery/b232ae29.jpg)
Title: Re: Labor time boat interior
Post by: bobbin on June 20, 2012, 12:32:33 pm
Mike, your work is an inspiration.  Just beautiful!