base for a L S Black Bear w/cost & retail price

[J P Baker]

Here is the finished base for a L S Bear I mounted.

 

[AndyB]

Very cool i like the root idea how it draws your eye from one end then you follow the root across the base to the other side very nice.

[M.T.]

ya, you've got it going on! 

[J P Baker]

Here is the price break down with a few prices rounded off,this is how i price all my base work, but prices will very based on size and what is incorporated in them.

plywood                15.00
2x4's                         6.50
nipples and flanges     16.00
wire                         15.00
burlap 2 yards              9.00
plaster                      14.00
bondo                       17.00
foam                         45.00
screws/Sm box             5.00
dry paint                     4.00
Elmer's glue/ gal.         12.00
paint brushes               5.00
wood                        25.00
plants                        10.00
rocks /McKenzie          95.00
                              133.00
shipping of rocks         55.00
casters                      18.00
---------------------------------------

total materials            499.50
profit for mat             499.50
labor                         200.00
rent & utilities            100.00
------------------------------------------
total charged           
for the base            1299.00

[AndyO]

Thats a nice base JP. You would increase your profit margin considerably if you made your own rocks. You have almost $300 with shipping in those rocks. They would take a maximum $50 in materials and two hours to make. You can charge the customer the same and put more $$ in your pocket.  Just my opinion.

Nice work!

[Studio106]

I agree with Andy- nice base, but the costs that you quote are way too high for me. I could do that base easily for about $100, but then again I build my own rocks or I cast some which still is way less than buying them from McKenzie. If I am talking actual material costs, then I wouldn't put down a gallon of glue because I wouldn't use an entire gallon of glue. I problably build my bases a little differently than you do so I don't incure the same costs. What are the nipples and flanges for? I am assuming that they are to attach the bear? I also don't understand the wire cost. Is that chicken wire? If so, it doesn't cost $15.00 for two yards of chicken wire. And why is there a charge for bondo for $17? A gallon of bondo here doesn't even cost $17. Did you use an entire gallon on that base? Your cost prices seem way out of whack to me, but I am just questioning your pricing methods to try to understand where you get them from. I could drastically cut your material costs if you wanted to exchange ideas. I may have a few ideas that might help or be something that you haven't thought of. Don't get me wrong I am not trying to be a prick, just wondering where you come up with some of the costs. I love to talk bases, so if you want to ge a hold of me we could exchange ideas/methods. PM me if you want.

[J P Baker]

Thats a nice base JP. You would increase your profit margin considerably if you made your own rocks. You have almost $300 with shipping in those rocks. They would take a maximum $50 in materials and two hours to make. You can charge the customer the same and put more $$ in your pocket.  Just my opinion.

Nice work!

Thank You.

I would like to see some 2 hour rocks and a price break down.

[J P Baker]

OK, here are a few things...


It might seam high.

Yes, it can be done cheaper and I do it cheaper at times.


When I price a base I do a run down of what I need and make a list. From my list I price everything as if I need to go buy the items for the project. It will not matter if I use the whole box/gallon or whatever, they get charged for the whole item. If I need screws I charge them for the box because I'm not going to count screws and figure the price on 21 screws or whatever item applies. Sometimes you will buy an item for a project use part of it and the other part sits on the shelf for years or you never use it, so if you price it your way, you lost money. Also I round up on items to compensate for time to pick the things up at the store.



What are the nipples and flanges for? I am assuming that they are to attach the bear? 

 Yes, They are to make the Bear removable.


why is there a charge for bondo for $17?

Because that is what I pay where I live, some places are as much as $23.00 for a gallon of bondo.




more on this later..

[Rich P.]

Nice Job. How do you use the nipple and flange to make the bear removable?

[duckman]

JP, I've been wanting to comment on the pricing since the day you posted it.  Heck, thats all I get for mounting a bear.  That base is nice, however, it's not 1300 nice.  Take out the little green individual plants and it would look better.  Leave the ferns on the right. You have good line going, I dont know how the bear is being mounted on it, since the base only appears to be about 3 feet or less in length, i'm assuming it's either a small bear or a standing bear.  If it's a standing bear, I would've done it a little different.  If its a small bear on all fours, facing right, then you are doing good.  if you have a customer that will pay that price, great!   I look at that base and figure i would probably do it for about 300 or 350.  

[AndyO]

I would like to see some 2 hour rocks and a price break down.

Dug this photo out and scanned-- sorry for the poor quality.

Cherry cabinet with solid casters (local cabinet maker) $175
In house molded and cast tree stump (initial cost was 1/2 day and about $100 in molding supplies) Ive got about 10 pulls out of the mold so far so i'll say $25 worth of foam, paint, initial investment.
metal lathe $8
McKenzie rock mix 15lbs  $15
Tempra / airbrush paint light coat of matte finish $5
blue painters tape to cover base $3
hobby lobby fern $7
Al Holmes supply moss $15

Dont remember exact shop time but it wasnt much because the cabinet was sub'ed out. I would guess 2 hours max for sure.

I charged $1800 for the bear mount plus 30% for base ($540) I have roughly $250 in supplies and two hours shop labor at $50/hr. (All operating expenses are figured into my shop labor rate)Total profit for this job was roughly $200.

[J P Baker]

Nice Job. How do you use the nipple and flange to make the bear removable?

This is not the bear base but you can see the nipples & flanges I use on all my larger mounts.

[J P Baker]

JP, I've been wanting to comment on the pricing since the day you posted it.  Heck, thats all I get for mounting a bear.  That base is nice, however, it's not 1300 nice.  Take out the little green individual plants and it would look better.  Leave the ferns on the right. You have good line going, I dont know how the bear is being mounted on it, since the base only appears to be about 3 feet or less in length, i'm assuming it's either a small bear or a standing bear.  If it's a standing bear, I would've done it a little different.  If its a small bear on all fours, facing right, then you are doing good.  if you have a customer that will pay that price, great!   I look at that base and figure i would probably do it for about 300 or 350.  

I can respect your opinions and if you are happy making 1300.00 on a Bear mount great.

My opinion is you are giving it away at that price.

Here is a link to a thread of the mount, check it out and you will see the size and how it is mounted.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,71782.0.html


I do have customers that are happy to pay this and more, my point is you could too.

Why are Taxidermist affraid to charge customers for their work ?

[AndyO]

Guess you're a bit sensitive to criticism. Thats too bad. More power to you if you can get someone to pay $1300 for that base-- great job!

[J P Baker]

Guess you're a bit sensitive to criticism. Thats too bad. More power to you if you can get someone to pay $1300 for that base-- great job!

No not sensitive, just trying to make a point, Taxidermist give away their work all the time and wonder way they can't make any money.

I have news for you Andy O, you did not profit $200.00 on that base but if you are happy I'm happy for you.