Art hanging charges

Create a Post
S

Sherry Lee

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Posts
2,228
Loc
Phoenix, Az.
We've been asked to hang 30 pics w/security hangers and they have requested a price up front.

In the past, we've charged our hourly rate, door to door (to include transportation), tallied it at the end of the project and added it to the bill. It has worked well for us in the past because one business we did on a Saturday, we were told security would be letting us in - "the arrangements have been made". Come that Sat. am, we stood waiting at the gate for 30 minutes because he was "detained".

How do you charge for such a job?
 
I typically charge an hourly rate just as you do however, every once in a while someone wants a quote up front. Not to hard to figure. You know how many pieces you can do in an hour, you know where the job is. Just figure the hours it will take, add in for travel time, times your hourly rate, add a little for a fudge factor. Piece of cake. Things to check for before quoting: Walls other than sheetrock, especially high installs, oversized pieces, no hardware on the frames, etc. One time I quoted a price and then found out there was a moulding at about 45" and all the pieces had to hang above that. Up and down a ladder all day made the job a little slower than planned.
Another time I quoted a ferry install where the customer said a "few" pieces were going onto steel walls and of course nearly all the pieces went onto the steel. I had figured a full 10 hour day and it took 2 -12 hour days. Now I check.

Some places want a per piece quote. These I tend to avoid but if pushed will quote high enough to make at least 1.5 times my hourly rate. I've made out like a bandit a few times doing this. Their loss, my gain!

When you write up the quote be sure to include the job conditions and restrictions, i.e.: 30 pieces with security hardware previously attatched going onto sheetrock walls at 58" to center. Conditions other than specified will incure additional charges. Or something along those lines.
 
Found this board yesterday - a great new resource for us. We've been in the industry at different levels for almost 12 yrs and decided to take advantage of the opportunity when we found an established gallery/frame shop for sale here in Charlotte. We love it - finally doing it for ourselves instead of "the man."
We put together a small "checklist to cover all questions about hanging when taking the phone call. Stairwells, High walls, anything other than sheetrock, mirrors, oversize or overweight, etc. We figure about 6 pcs per hour, and quote $10 per piece over six. Works really well in avoiding those nasty "surprises".
Hope that helps.
 
Welcome to TG, Eh, Dubbleyou, Gee!
I think there may be bonus points in the fact that your very first post was an answer instead of a question! Or is it the other way around?
edie the wheresmyfridaythethirteenthmargarita goddess
 
I charge a flat $60/hour for hanging, including the drive time, with a one-hour minimum. If someone wants me to pin it down closer than that, I cheerfully refer them to an installer who enjoys it a lot more than I do.

I once arrived at a customer's home to hang a large textile and the first words out of her mouth were, "Where's your scaffolding?"

Oh, oh.

[ 06-14-2003, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: Ron Eggers ]
 
Originally posted by Ron Eggers:
I once arrived at a customer's home to hang a large textile and the first words out of her mouth were, "Where's your scaffolding?"
Click to expand...
"In the truck next to the sizzorlift and cherry picker, but I don't think I'll need it for a job this small...." :rolleyes:

In 10 years of installing I've only needed scaffolding about 5 times. I do carry a scafold plank and an extension ladder (actually a Little Giant ladder which can change into an extension ladder) which works great for installing over stairwells.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top