So, you're ready for something special. Excellent! Let's talk.
Now, I conduct business a little differently than some folks. Instead of going though a highly mechanistic process, building up a detailed, point by point estimate, and applying some percentage to give you a price, I have a different approach.
Tell me what you want, and tell me what your budget is, and I'll tell you if I think it's doable, and what kind of a job you can get. For example, a 7 shelf bookcase with a $100 budget is going to be a lot different from one with a $1000 budget, or a $10,000 budget. The first might be something unpainted, knocked together out of plywood, suitable for the garage. The second might be simple, but nicely finished, made of Oak, with adjustable shelves, suitable for the den. The third might be a full blown Barrister's bookcase with sliding glass doors, suitable for a law office.They'd probably take a day, a week, and a month respectively. I don't normally have an hourly rate.
Another factor might be the interest level I have in the project. I have to say that any project that includes an excuse to buy a new tool is very highly rated. On the other hand, a project with a whole lot of really, terribly repetitive work (Wine Cellar) will need something extra to keep my interest.
Another factor related to interest is how much creativity is involved. Trying to exactly duplicate your antique nightstand - boring, and expensive, but I'll do it and stick to my high standards of quality. Give me something with a lot more leeway, and I'll add my enthusiasm for no extra charge.
If a project calls for a technique I'm not well practiced at (Turning or Carving), that makes it a bit more iffy. I can manage some simple Turning, but don't ask me to Carve, unless you're more interested in the mere fact of having something custom, as opposed to having something perfect. I figure the extra effort minus the risk is a wash. But believe me, I'll do my best.
I'm particularly interested in trying new things. If you have a unique idea you'd like to have realized, by all means, talk to me.
Just one other word about Budgeting. Don't go looking through the Ikea catalog and think that it's a good starting point, try an antiques shop or a furniture gallery. This is a custom project you're looking for, made by an American craftsman. But I've got one thing going for me. I'm more of an Engineer than an arteeste, so at least you know I'm obsessive about detail and accuracy. Even that plywood garage shelf will not be half-assed an any way (Although seriously, if you want something like that, let me direct you to the Storage Aisle at the Home Center).
I can work with any species of wood that is available.
I can cut, weld, and machine steel. (I have metalworking equipment at my disposal)
I can handle mechanical and electrical design.
I can do leatherwork.
I do not upholster, at least not in any serious way.
Time doesn't directly correlate with money. Would you really like to rack up an hourly charge while I wait for glue or paint to dry? The Finishing process, especially, is time consuming. Frankly, sometimes the timetable is unpredictable. Suppliers don't have the right hardware, and a trip downtown for specialty hardwood or leather findings can easily eat up a day. No, I think it's better to have a fixed price for the project. In that way, it's a bonus for finishing early, or a penalty for being late.
Some people are hard to please, this makes them unpleasant to deal with. This is why it's important to completely nail down what you want at the beginning, or, if you want to leave certain details up to me, that you agree to accept my judgment (Don't worry, more than likely I'll consult with you anyway if I have multiple alternatives). If you want to make some change to a project midway through, especially one that increases the level of complexity, you are agreeing to a new price negotiation.
Materials are expensive, and personally, I prefer to run a cash business with my suppliers.But I'm sure you'd like to leave me with an incentive to finish in a timely manner. Depending on the size of the project, 50-75% in advance is required. Shipping on the completed project is also your responsibility.
Just ask.