Fitting Charges

dougj

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jan 15, 2005
Posts
1,449
Loc
Martha's Vineyard Vineyard Haven MA
How do you charge?
We have been going by the previous owners chart.
We charge for the frame
The mat (single opening)
Glass (depending on type)
Mounting (Dry mounting extra)

Fitting includes;
Frame assembly
Backing (foam core 1/8 or 3/16)
Mounting other than dry mount
Wire hangers & wire
Dust cover
Protective corners Wall hanger and bumpons (Every customer gets them they like it)

Should we be charging for backing and different types of mounting (ie musuem, float, or any thing not kinda standard)
Some how I think we are giving away a lot.
 
Mounting is not included in the price of fitting and the different kinds of mounting are quite different prices. For instance "museum" mount would be far more than dry mount. Fitting charges seem to me to be ridiculesly low in most cases. But then we can make up for it with 600% markups on everything else.
 
What a minefield pricing is.

We have a chart - size along the top (add two sides - e.g. 20 x 16 would be 36) price of moulding per foot (to us) down the side. Where the two meet - bingo!

That price includes frame, single (artcare) mount, glass, undermount, backing (Undermount and backing now combined by using artcare foamboard on most things) and FITTING

FITTING = cleaning of glass and removal of the dreaded FLUMBS, sealing, 'D' rings and cord, bumpers.

Under each size column is a price for extra mounts, Cotton (artcare)mounts UV glass (priced with normal glass deducted and not deducted) washlines, V grooves, needlework lacing, blocking and much much more, including FITTING

We add this fitting charge to, for example, photo in customer's own frame with our mount, also for things like medals.

We deduct this charge if for example we have a customer who wants it as cheap as poss - we make the frame (with mount, etc)only, they clean the glass, fit the artwork, etc etc.
 
There is still framers using United Inch as a way to price framing?
 
Are you giving it away? Depends how much you're charging! Maybe you're getting "extra" for the easy jobs.

How YOU define and price fitting/mounting/whatever is really up to you. Just make sure you cover your material and labor plus whatever profit you feel appropriate. THis is math. Time yourself and look at the materials. I have a more than a dozen "mounting" types and "fitting" is extra. Fitting is "putting it together, backing paper, and hanging hardware. I have a different "museum fitting" which is slightly more money and uses either the Lineco A/F paper or Tyvek. These are a little more cost, hence a little more charge. I have considered going to one fitting charge and always using Tyvek, but haven't done it.

Time yourself, and look at the materials you use. How you divide it up doesn't matter.
 
O and charge $60 per hour for labor. That way, it's easy to figure minutes, seconds, etc. Or $120 per hour if you can get away with it. Cheap attorneys and accountants do. Better ones charge more
 
What Cliff said.

Fitting for me is a fee based on size of pc., just like any other component.

I also have a bunch of different mounting fees, well, as many as I have mounting choices.


A shadowbox will have the fees for each kind of mount used within the box, any materials charge extra, a sep. fit fee for a shadowbox, adjusted for just how big that black suede back mat is.

In other words, $60 /hour isn't uncommon.

There are too many variables for one flat fit fee, for me. Even if I used one kind of backing for all frames..
 
I just upped the FrameReady canned pricing on fitting since I tend to do a little more now in the fitting process.

One thing that always has bothered me is how the 3M Bumpons don't adhere well especially to the black dustcover paper backing I prefer to use on most frames. Inevitably they get knocked off.

I now predrill a small hole in each one and take the nails I use for saw tooth hangers and nail them into the frame and countersink the nail slightly into the Bumpon. I Haven't yet seen one of these come off.

I also take a digital photo of each finished job and let the customer know that I have it if they ever need it for insurance or other purposes. Many times they request I email them the pix so they can send them to friends or relatives.

I include brass premium hanging hooks with each frame, adhere a business card to the dustcover, attach hanging directions, glass cleaning instructions, and then sign and date the back of the frame and add "for the Smith Family" or other appropriate jargon with a metalic gel pen. Usually under the dustcover I list the elements used in the framing process...moulding, mats, mounting technique, backing board and glazing.

I also always fill the frame package with appropriate backing material (usually AF foam board or Cor-X board) and often put an additional patch of dustcover paper where the hanger hits the dustcover to prevent any accidental tearing of the dustcover. The entire back edge of the frame gets lined with a black or dark brown marker as I prefer sanding off the dustcover to using a blade...cleaner look.

All this adds time to the fit-up process and I decided to update the pricing to reflect the additional attention and features I include.

Dave Makielski
 
Great ideas Dave.

Especially with the digital photos. Those could be great indirect marketing and PR tools, as they may show them to friends and relatives who may want the same!

AS for hanging & cleaning instructions and directions, do you make your own or is there a source for them that sells them by the bushel??
 
Hanging instructions...I made up a short piece that I copy on to grey stock and Photomount on to the lower left corner of the dustcover...especially if I include and suggest using two hooks.

Wallbuddies...I use their tear sheet.

Cleaning instructions...Tru-views stickers for UV Clear or Museum glass.

Verbally as I wrap a finished piece for a customer I tell them how to nail the hook in the wall by "using the hook as an anchored template so that it doesn't jangle and chip the plaster or mark up the paint". I always tell them to hang the picture where it won't have sunlight pass over it and to always use a non-ammonia based cleaner on the glass because of the outgassing possibilities. I explain the dual purpose of Bumpons (stability and air flow) and that I've nailed them on so they don't fall off.

Customer's seem to listen intently and the conversation seems appreciated and authoritive. I always end by giving them another business card and tell them to feel free to call if they have any questions. Often they ask for additional cards to give friends!!!

Dave Makielski

PS I put the hanging hooks in a little brown envelope (available at Office Max or Staples) along with another business card. On the outside of the envelope I write "One (or two) 20 lb. wallhooks", then make a small smiley face in the lower corner. This envelope getsd attached to the hanging wire.
 
Dave, instead of nailing the bump-ons, either try the felt bumps or put a small patch of 3M Scotch Brand Invisible tape down and stick the bumps to that.

I still like the felts better. Softer, cushier and a PITA to get off..... :D We get frames we did 20 years ago, that have obviously been <strike>knocking around</strike>hung and re-hung many times, the frames can use a little TLC, the paper has a few holes torn in it and the Bumps are hanging firm.
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Baer,

I was hoping somebody would have a better solution than drilling and nailing!

What is this 3M Invisible tape and how the heck do you know where you left it in your fit-up area if it is invisible???

Dave Makielski
 
Oh, I get it...3M #810 frosted tape....

Sometimes I'm slow on the uptake...except in golf. That's always been my problem...I think I'm John Daley.

Dave Makielski
 
Thanks Dave. I also use the True-vu stickers for UV, but I realized they don't give ones for plexi which is actually in more need for clear cleaning instructions.

Ditto for hangers. United sells excellent hangers in a variety of poundage, each in its neat little bag. The business card is a neat idea.
 
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