CUSTOMAKRFree Guides
Guides for Small Shops
Straight answers for new shop owners, makers and home-based businesses: pricing, quoting, getting paid and running the shop. Free to read, with no sign-up.
Pricing Your Work
Know your costs, then charge for them.
- How to Set Your Hourly Shop RateWork out an hourly shop rate that pays you, covers overhead and fits the hours you can really bill. Step by step, with a worked example and a free calculator.6 min read
- How to Price Custom WorkPrice custom jobs from real costs: materials with waste and markup, shop time, setup, minimum charges and rush fees. Clear formulas, tables and a checklist.6 min read
- Material Costs, Waste and MarkupKnow what material really costs, add waste and a markup, and keep quotes current when supplier prices change. Tables for sheet, bar, weight and piece pricing.6 min read
Quotes and Customers
Quotes customers understand, and changes that get paid.
- How to Write a Quote That Wins the JobWhat a winning quote includes: a clear scope, options, a proof or approval step, an expiry date and payment terms. With wording you can copy and a checklist.6 min read
- Change Orders: How to Stop Scope CreepHow to price and approve changes after a quote is accepted, spot scope creep early and say no politely. With change order wording, scripts and a checklist.5 min read
Getting Paid
Deposits, invoices and what to do when payment is late.
- How to Negotiate Payment Terms With CustomersDeposits, balances and net terms for custom work: what to ask for, how to say it and how to handle pushback. Scripts, tables and a checklist.8 min read
- How to Get Paid on TimeSend invoices that get paid, set real due dates, follow up on a schedule, handle late payers and know when to stop work. Scripts, tables and a checklist.6 min read
Running the Shop
Lead times, scheduling and your first hire.
- How to Set Lead Times and Schedule Your ShopQuote lead times you can keep: know your real capacity, add a buffer, start the clock at the right moment and plan the week. With scripts and a checklist.5 min read
- Hiring Your First Employee or HelperWhen to hire, what a helper really costs, and how to track time and job costs so you know the hire pays off. General guidance for small shops, with a checklist.5 min read
Price Your Next Job From Real Costs
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