Going rate for portrait bust??

[Del Dios]

Anyone have any opinions on what is a fair price to charge for a lifesized bronze bust for a public commission? I've done a couple already and feel like I've undercharged...not to mention costs going up.

Thanks.

[mantrid]

Originally Posted by Del Dios

Anyone have any opinions on what is a fair price to charge for a lifesized bronze bust for a public commission? I've done a couple already and feel like I've undercharged...not to mention costs going up.

Thanks.

Wouldnt it depend on how much time you put into it? Time is money as they say. You could spend a hour on it or a year. The materials costs would be the same and easily calculated.

[Del Dios]

I never know going in how long a project will take and I find clients aren't terribly amenable to my telling them I'll tell them what it costs when I finish...

[lee]

Why not go double your previous estimates and see if they bite

[furby]

You need to take your expenses for casting etc, travel, materials, and then add your own fee on top. Your own fee you can adjust to suit the customer (a little), but the expenses you cannot. its good to be consistent in your pricing though (rising slowly over time maybe) as customers who recommend you to each other will definitely mention price.

[cougar]

In portraiture they some times charge by square inch or panel size, how many faces, hands in painting etc. I used to fix the price on my smallest piece as to cover materials plus time and then go to the sq. inches on the larger.
It all seemed to round out. Figuring out what your worth is the easy part, but what they are willing to pay ? Sounds like your underestimating your self here. I remember when that little Mazda Miata car came out the sticker price was 17k' they ended up selling for 23-25k's on back order, if I remember. With price I would just be consistent as furby said. Sorry I really couldn't help with this. Its really your call.