"Need help with painting rates" Topic

A person I know asked me to paint a FOW army. I usually paint for myself, and do the odd pieces for friends. The quality of my work is quite good. I have no idea on how much to charge for the paintjob.
Do I charge for vehicle and infantry stand? If so there could be a problem charging the same for a 5 figure stand and 2 figure stand, and between Jeeps and large vehicles with separate crew.
On the other hand, charging per infantry figure and setting a price for every vehicle might be too complicated. What do you do?
I was thinking in $6.00 USD per stand/vehicle. Is that right? Your opinions will be appreciated.

Think about it in terms of time – how long does it take you to paint 5 figs (a stand) or a vehicle? Your rate could depend on how long it takes – 20 figs an hour vs. 10 figs an hour vs. 5 figs an hour. Others charge per fig painted, based and flocked (usually $1.50 USD to 2.50 per fig from what I've seen). Vehicles are another story – if you're painting tanks, how long does it take you? Half an hour per vehicle? An hour a vehicle? Two hours a vehicle? If it takes you two hours, you're making $3 USD per hour – is it worth it to you? On the other hand, if you're painting two an hour, $12 USD an hour isn't bad…

It also depends on what you are painting Germans in camo smocks or Americans in green?
I paint at an average rate of 24 minutes per 28MM figure. Above average wargame standard, say a 6-7, two or three colour with highlights. So that should be $4.50 USD to $5.00 USD a figure.

I should have specified I was thinking in terms of 15s…

The question is, without meaning to be rude, wrong. You are painting these in your spare time, so the question is:

How much is your spare time worth to you?

It could be £1.00 GBP an hour, it could be £100.00 GBP

If I can give you one piece of advice. Overcharge by a fair bit rather than undercharge. If you go cheap you'll only end up resenting it – things always take more time than you think, and when it comes to spare time you only have so much of it. You may also find you get pestered for more work at the same prices by people you have not met yet.

Thanks for your input, gentlemen.

Definitely charge by the individual figure and vehicle, not by stand of unit. Less scope for argument and disagreement.

And I'd also consider not doing it, having done it twice for friends it's just not worth being paid to lose spare time so someone else doesn't have to lose spare time.

If you paint for pay -- professionally you have to make a living. To that end you need to figure out how much you need to make an hour and how fast you paint and charge accordingly.

If you are doing the painting as more of a favor, frankly you need to set your prices more in line with what the guy can afford.

I have painted some stuff over the years for friends and in some cases charged them a pretty penny for a very nice paint job but in the end, i could have made a lot more money if I had just put in a few more hours at the office. It takes me a very long time to put out first rate work -- I would starve to death if I ever tried to paint professionally.

For me at least, painting as a favor, is for the purpose of growing the local gaming group or for doing something special for a friend -- so to that end, I often don't charge anything at all . . . but that's just me.

mjc

One friend charges $5 USD for small 10 for medium and 15 for large base and 10 per vehicle I believe. I charge $3 USD per figure so but if someone wants a dip style I charge $2 USD Nothing is complicated just add the figs and multiple by your charge per figure.

Well, I think I have it figured out. Your comments have been really useful. I will post some pictures, if I decide to go ahead and do it.

B.