I am considering swithching to charging by the foot on bear and lion lifesize and rugs. I would like some in put on this method, such as prices and how you figure your price per foot.
Thank you
Scott
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Rugs $125 per foot nose to tail(I don't count the tail). Lifesize $350 per foot nose to tail, plus the base.
Rugs:Cost of supplies, tanning, overhead, Labor to flesh, prep, to skin if necessary, labor to mount and do the finish work on the head and last but not least the wholesale cost for getting the actual rug work done. Take that figure and add a nice mark up for yourself. I charge $145 per foot for rugs. Lifesize: I have a "range" of prices for black bears since they vary in size so much.$1950-$2600. Grizzly-$2850, Brownies-$3850+ One price for cougars-$2200. Of course the custom mounts are more, and the pricing structure is basically the same as the rugs. Get the Braekthrough Buisness Management book. It'll point you in the right direction. Good Luck!
On black bear rugs.I use Buckeye competition rug shells with the mouth cup.I paint the mouth cup myself to save a few $.Use reference for color and play with your commercial colors to get it right.I aslo use artifical noses and IQ eyes.Rugging fees can vary,but 30.00 a linear foot to back and line/stretch is about average.I tryed Northern Pines Rugging and am impressed.I think they are 32.00 a foot.
Anyone whos fleshed a bear knows what a pain it is,add up your hours and charge.I think 145.00 per foot is quite fair.