As I near retirement age I have thought about doing custom rod building and rod repair as a hobby business. I have no idea what common prices are for this kind of custom work. This would be for saltwater rods and also fresh including fly rods. I do a good job, add interesting decorfative wraps and usually put some kind of diamond wrap on each rod I have built.

Are there any guidelines a new fellow can use as he starts out? Thanks now to anyone who can help me.
Ron

We published an article on this very subject in the last issue of RodMaker. It varies by region and demand.

Here's an idea - guys, post up what you would charge to perform the following, labor only, parts additional:

1. Replace a Tiptop

2. Remove, rewrap and refinish a guide (dbl and single foot)

3. Replace a reel seat

4. Replace grips, butt and fore

It might help to add your general geographic location and metropolitan population.

.......................

I would be working in the Florida Keys and the mountain west of Colorado.

Summerland Key
1- $6 unwrapped
2- $8 per wrap plus the cost of the guide
3- $45 plus cost
4- $90 plus cost
Lower key prices usually more then most.

You can get a general feel for what to charge for work, by measuring and tabulating the time that it takes you to complete each of these jobs.

Then, insert a number for the amount of money you are willing to work for others when you do your work.

Then, take the amount of time to do the work and multiply it by the hourly rate that you are willing to work for.

As has been posted many times before, this is only a rough estimate with the understanding that as you get more proficient, you will be able to do more piece work in the same hourly amount as when you first start the work.

But, if you want to work for $50 per hour, and find that you are only willing to charge the equivalent of $3 per hour, perhaps this work is not for you.


If you want to make a decent hourly rate, you need to have the equipment and experience, so that you can do jobs quickly and well.

You can also go to rod shops that are currently in business and make inquiries as to repair prices for work.

Remember, if a rod sells for $200, it is going to be tough to charge much more than $20-$50 for any specific repair work on that given rod.

Good luck

Hi Ron. Just a side note. If you plan on it becoming more than a hobby(doing advertising, ect) and becoming more of a business you will want to make sure you pay the federal excise tax which you will pass as a charge/include in price of the rod to your customers. Tom has a good article that explains the whole thing. Don't need the IRS breathing down your neck.
Tim

Tim Wiehe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi Ron. Just a side note. If you plan on it
> becoming more than a hobby(doing advertising, ect)
> and becoming more of a business you will want to
> make sure you pay the federal excise tax which you
> will pass as a charge/include in price of the rod
> to your customers. Tom has a good article that
> explains the whole thing. Don't need the IRS
> breathing down your neck.
> Tim


Where is that article at?

Third topic from the bottom in the library.

I agree with Roger. Figure out what you're willing to work for and charge it. You either will get the business or won't. People ask me why I don't sell rods, and I answer that if I did I would be working for minimum wage (I'm not a very fast rod builder) and have the hassle of warranty when a rod got broken. I do simple repairs for family and friends for nothing or for parts cost. It's my choice, and I'm happy with it. For some I'm willing to work for nothing, for others, they cannot afford me. It's whatever you feel comfortable with.