Costing out jobs... advice wanted

Hi folks.

I am new to the cnc world and i have a new onefinity machine arriving in the new year. I am working out how to cost out jobs I will be doing. I realise I have to account for my bits, my materials and wear and tear of the machine. I don’t how long I can really expect a bit to last under normal circumstances nor how long my machine should last before I need to replace parts. I will be using a woodworker pro with a 2.2kw redline spindle, amana and jenny bits. If anyone could guide me a little on costing out jobs in the real world it’d be great. Thanks in advance if you can, cheers from across the pond.

I charge an hourly rate for my time and an hourly rate for the machine plus materials

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here is how i do it.

(material cost+labor cost) * magic multiplier= sale price

material costs
what goes to customer, or parts just for this one job

labor costs
pay yourself to do a job(30/hr minimum)
or 240 daily rate

magic multipler
all the what ifs
tool wear
electricty
consumables
profit
(start with 1.5)
as you get better(2 or 3 or 4)

material costs
150

2 saturdays
500

650*1.5 = 975 for coffee table

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thank you, that gives me something to work from.

thank you very much.

One factor to remember…having access to people who can/would pay $975 for a coffee table. Be ready to change your game plan and what type of things you make (and the way you make them) based on your local market. I talk to a lot of resellers and one bit of advice that is consistent among them…

“Don’t bring me any crap that hangs on the wall. I can’t sell crap that hangs on the wall”

But that may not be true in your area. Just be ready to pivot whichever way the wind is blowing.

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