Pricing work for sale

[Mike]

Guys

I am new to this group and I have been asked to make some scroll saw items for someone for a fundraiser, they have offered to pay me for the items. My problem is I have no idea what to charge. The items are a puzzle and a picture of a girl and a horse. both are approx 12 x 11 inches., the puzzle is made from 3/4" poplar and the picture will be from 2 pieces of laminated plywood. My total cost of material is maybe $5 for both items and the time to make will be the puzzle approx 4 hours and the picture maybe 12 hours. Can anyone offer me any advice on what price to charge for these items?

Thanks in advance

Mike

[Locutus]

Since it's for a fundraiser (presumably for a good cause), have you considered just donating your time and charging for materials?

[Toller]

Or even both. The materials might be tax deductable.

[Leon]

;~) I wonder how much of a tax deduction you would get on $5 worth of materials? 20 cents maybe if you are in the 50% bracket?

[Leon]

This is always tough Mike, I learned last week that I should probably be charging more for my time. Anyway if this is for a good cause, charge as little that you feel comfortable with if you truly want to help out. Don't sell your self short if the job does not interest you.

[Locutus]

ummm... no, you would get $2.50 if you were in the 50% bracket. :)

[Leon]

Ummmm Yeah.... I was only considering the sales tax as being deductible, Doh.

[Steve DeMars]

One method of getting full tax deduction for your work (labor and materials) is to do a crafts swap . . . . Artist do it every day I have been told. Simply find another crafts person that will buy one of your projects for say $500.00. Then you in turn by one of his for $500.00. He can donate your work and deduct the full $500.00 & you can donate his work and donate the full $500.00. Just keep the paper trail clean and neat . . .

A fellow I met in Bakersfield made custom saddles . . . a friend of his built detailed miniature covered wagons . . . . they would buy one from each other every year for a couple thousand dollars . . . and both promptly donate them to a charity auction . . . . I have never done it, but it seems like it would work and be legal . . .

Steve