I am just a beginner at taxidermy.I was wondering if someone could give me a reasonable price list for some animal work ? I am doing a bobcat for someone and do not know what to charge. I would really appreciate some help, thanks alot for the help.
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Shannon you being new at this It would depend on if it is an open mouth charge more if it includes a base charge for it and The client should know your experience Can you do a bobcat. So you must take into consideration it as alearning tool. Yhe customer must understand that. I do taxidermy full time and I would charge $500.00 for an open mouth Bobcat on a habitat base. Hope this helps.
You should be paying him. If you are new to taxidermy you should be gaining
experience on your own specimens not by experimenting on someone's trophy. I
get very put out when people bring in the amateur screw ups for repair. You may
end up being a very good taxidermist someday, but don't do it for anyone else or
charge for it until you are qualified.
Shannon,The idea of going into this business is to make money.Don't spend time away from family and friends,sitting in the basement or in a shed. After the mount is finished and picked up, your customer will win the prize that will last a lifetime and you will come in last in this race of life. Trust me,I've been there and I thank God for knocking some sense into me.
Would you be willing to start a new job and not get paid for your time until you are fully trained? I know that the man who calls himself an old fart is smarter than that. If you don't get paid enough for your time, you would be better off working at McDonalds.
Now pricing for a bobcat, calculate all of your expense which includes the form,eyes,earliners,tanning, postge,base,hidepaste,clay,ect.
Now calculate your time,the time your customer spends at your place dropping the bobcat off and picking it up, the time to skin it,flesh it,salt,ship hide to tannery,order form, prep form, prep hide, mount, finish work,make base. Now add up all those hours, and don't cheat yorself on hours. Now it's up to you to determine what your time is worth.
Take your total $ amount for expense and your total $ amount for your time, add them up and thats what you should charge.
GOOD LUCK
When I started, I purchased WASCO's "Business Management" Manual. It only costs a few bucks and it has been a world of help. Not just for pricing, but all kinds of business stuff. Step by step on how to price your work, mark up, and all kinds of things. Do yourself a favor and get this book.
yall. I appreciate all the input. All of yall have been very helpfull!