Official Luthiers Forum!

I am just starting to promote myself as a guitar repair technician and I would like to know how to establish costs for common repairs, guitar modifications or by-the-hour work. I know established repair shops have such price lists, but they’re not just going to give me a copy of it if I’m technically their competition. Can someone please suggest how I can find out about current pricing and shop time?

Wolf

Have you asked? I'd be surprised if most shops wouldn't be willing to give out the information. Many shops post their hourly rate and/or flat rates for common repairs and adjustments; there's no reason they wouldn't share that info with you. This isn't a place for industrial espionage.

this is a tricky question to answer. If you are in business you must charge for your time and overhead. Insurance , costs ,Overhead , tool costs and lets not forget taxes and rent. If you have a job now , you see an hourly rate . To that rate you have to figure in the SS taxes that as employer you would have to pay in for yourself , then you have income taxes. That you can figure 30% off the profit. Medical insurance etc. At $60 an hour you may get to see 1/2 of that as a pay if you are lucky.
My best advice is , if you are going to go into business you need to treat your skills are a true business assest.
I charge $60 per hour
Resets Martin $350 bound neck $425 45 style $475
bridge reglues $75
refrets $ 15 to $25 per fret depending on bound and pearl
so you see there are more things you need to consider . Good luck to you

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Rick's right. No one is going to hide their prices from others. Most shops would rather maintain healthy relationships with their colleagues in the area, keeping good source of trading favors and referrals. It's generally only shops that are either not secure in their client base and reputation, or ones in an especially competitive regional market that would isolate themselves resist sharing general knowledge with others.

Of course established shops also have to be careful of who they publicly associate with, so if your reputation is not well established or you are new to the trade, I wouldn't expect enthusiastic referrals and aid. Still, most would also rather not having their neighbor undercutting them drastically either, though if the work didn't equal theirs this wouldn't be much of a threat to them anyway.

My rates are at $80/hr. I haven't updated my price list in a few years but here it is anyway.

http://www.collinsluthiery.com/Price_List_2007.pdf

All listings are general guides, and actual estimates can vary a fair amount on case by case basis.

Good luck, if you're new to the trade, make sure you know your limits, and first do no harm.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

Oh, and just a friendly reminder - don't identically copy anyone else's price list. People are sharing this with you to help, and if they come to find some way or another that your price list is laid out, categorized, perfectly mirrored prices - well, they may not have the desire or ability to cry plagiarism, but you have to be careful about burning bridges. It's just a list, not an article, curriculum, or website, but still, it's theirs. Though extremely unprofessional, it happens quite often in this trade.

Use suggestions and guidance, but certainly make your own system.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

Just a friendly tip.

If you are good (and why wouldn't you be?) if your customer doesn't suck in his breath when he sees your estimate, you are too low.

Don't raise your price right there, wait till the next customer.

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

And consider that a refret in Buffalo should not cost the same as a refret in Boston. As well it would be difficult for a new repair person to justify charging the same as someone long established.