Replies

1. 
   Tao | Apr 10, 2004 04:27pm | #1

   The best book I know of is The Art of Faux by Pierre Finkelstien.   ISBN 0-8230-0858-4.

   Two others are Painting Techniques & Faux Ffinishes by Louise Hennings and Marina Niven, and one from Sunset books called Decorative Paint and Faux finishes.  They are both much more basic, but might help get you started.

   There are quite a few schools around the country that teach what you want to know.

   One item of major concern with cabinetry is the durability of the finishes you apply.  The finish formulas described ion the books I have are mostly decorative, and not very durable at all.   Kitchen environments are very hard on finishes, and I usually use alkyd / linseed oil galzes, vinyl sealers, and catalyzed topcoats.

   You charge based on the time and number of steps requires to do the finish.  Time yourself when you make your samples and then double it.  $60 and hour might be a decent starting point.  I start around $20 per square foot, and I'm probably too cheap, since I do mostly custom finishes and faux finishes are only a small part of what I do.

   Michael R

   
   

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   Edited 4/10/2004 9:28 am ET by Woodwiz

2. 
   Dave45 | Apr 10, 2004 04:39pm | #2

   You seem to be asking two questions here.  How to do something and how much to charge for doing it.  I'm going to take a stab at answering the second question.

   All pricing must include an estimate of the time involved to do the job.  A bid can be in terms of $ per sq. ft, but you still need to estimate how long it will take, and what your time is worth.  If you're experienced and have the necessary tools and equipment, your time will obviously be less than the time necessary for someone just learning how.

   Unless you have a very understanding customer, I can't imagine how you would get a job if they know you're learning as you go.  If you do manage to get a job on those terms, don't forget to add time to fix the things you'll inevitably do incorrectly.  It's OK to charge for rework caused by customer changes, but you have to eat the cost of changes due to your mistakes.