I recently repaired some 120 something year old French pocket doors. When the own bought the home both of the doors were missing along with the wheels and brackets. We found the original doors with a neighbor but not the wheels and brackets. We then found some wheels and brackets that didn't work for the track. Eventually I ended up removing the casing and removing both tracks and made frames to fit new pocket doors tracks on them and stuff them into the wall and screw them in place. The doors work fine now but I feel like $600 is too low. Did I low ball myself and how much should I have charged? Plus the cost of repair cracks, sanding and staining the original doors that are 8ft tall, 2 1/2 inches thick, 30 inches wide, and roughly 100lbs each.
Don't ever beat yourself up over prices. Some will say you're too low, others will say you're too high. If you do this once in a while, it doesn't matter. If you're trying to run a business, calculate materials and estimate time and pay yourself what you're worth. It's different for every worker and every customer. When I started in contracting 20 years ago I did anything for any amount. As my skill and business grew, I got more focused on my worth and priced accordingly. I'm at a point where people either accept my price or they find someone else, for I know my value. Having said that, sometimes I'll work for less if it's a fun job, or client needs a favor. It sounds like your learned something in this job, so that has value for YOU. Thanks for watching.
The old door hardware was about 80 years old and falling apart, and because it wasn't seen, it was critical to the historical preservation of this home. The new pocket door hardware is so smooth and reliable. Thanks for watching.
I recently repaired some 120 something year old French pocket doors. When the own bought the home both of the doors were missing along with the wheels and brackets. We found the original doors with a neighbor but not the wheels and brackets. We then found some wheels and brackets that didn't work for the track. Eventually I ended up removing the casing and removing both tracks and made frames to fit new pocket doors tracks on them and stuff them into the wall and screw them in place. The doors work fine now but I feel like $600 is too low. Did I low ball myself and how much should I have charged? Plus the cost of repair cracks, sanding and staining the original doors that are 8ft tall, 2 1/2 inches thick, 30 inches wide, and roughly 100lbs each.
Don't ever beat yourself up over prices. Some will say you're too low, others will say you're too high. If you do this once in a while, it doesn't matter. If you're trying to run a business, calculate materials and estimate time and pay yourself what you're worth. It's different for every worker and every customer. When I started in contracting 20 years ago I did anything for any amount. As my skill and business grew, I got more focused on my worth and priced accordingly. I'm at a point where people either accept my price or they find someone else, for I know my value. Having said that, sometimes I'll work for less if it's a fun job, or client needs a favor. It sounds like your learned something in this job, so that has value for YOU. Thanks for watching.
Great video. Thanks for posting. Why couldn't the old door hardware be used?
The old door hardware was about 80 years old and falling apart, and because it wasn't seen, it was critical to the historical preservation of this home. The new pocket door hardware is so smooth and reliable. Thanks for watching.