Pricing a CAD file?

Hi everyone. I was hoping that I could get some help. A jeweler
friend of mine is taking a Jewelry CAD course so I asked him to make
a couple of filesfor me of a design I wanted done. (oval flat pendant
with the design on the surface and no gem settings.) He did a great
job on a couple of variations of the design but now we have a
problem. Neither of us know what the going rate for designing a CAD
file should be. What are the going rates for wholesale costs on this
type of work?

Can I get some advice as I want to make sure I pay him for his work
correctly’thank you in advance for the help.

Gerald A. Livings
Livingston Jewelers

In Toronto, Canada the CAD base-price is about $120.00. If there is
more labour involved, the price could go to. about $160.00 max! If the
Cad person knows me well, he will make a few changes @ n/c. I usually
drop him a few $$ more. This price usually includes a
photo-rendering! It’s usually a win-win for me & him. I charge my
client at least double his fee’s. That price also includes the wax
form ready for the caster. any help?..Gerry!

Gerry
gemsettingtutor.com

recently charged 75

Gerald we have found pricing by the piece and by the hour is all
over the place. We suggest paying by the hour for the job rather
than by the piece. Thehourly rates vary as well but this should have
been shared up front. Rates vary on experience.

CAD work is normally time based. Hourly rates will vary depending on
the experience level.

P@

Hi Gerald,

Errr. it sort of depends on the level of complexity. For basic
stuff, just whomped out on Rhino, I generally go $100/hr. For
anything where I have to start hand coding for CNC machines,
(Writing the G-Code moves by hand) you’re looking at $200/hr That
gets pricey fast. But it’s the sort of thing where you’re expecting
to make thousands of something.

FWIW
Brian

$35 an hour

Hi

Hourly rates I never understand
Price should be for whole project (single design)
3dm+stl+4 render pictures + specification text

Regards
Kapil Jain

CAD modelers doing work for the trade tend to try to categorize work
so that customers have an idea of cost before they send the job. More
routine work in the $125-$150 range, more complex work more like
$250-$300, unusually complex (or work for a difficult customer) is
quoted. That price does not include the resin, that’s usually another
$40-$60. That said, people charge whatever they can get, sometimes
more, sometimes less.

Mark

Problem with time base is some are quicker then others. I never work
on time based for cad work. I know what it will take me to do it and
then figure what the cost should be…

Some lawyers charge $100 a hour others $600 a hour. but do not give
you morethen the lower priced person. Hot to spend the time finding
your suppliersis my suggestion.

Vernon Wilson
Panama Bay Jewelers

I have used Jain he is good and reasonable. when I get behind I
often job work out to him. Frees me up to do other things I need to
do.

Vernon Wilson

How’s else but by the hour can you even price something. It’s still
an estimate of how long you think it will take to design something.
It’s not an unknown that the customer doesn’t know before leaving
your store. Some rings I can design in 20 min. Others might take me
3hrs. We have an Excell sheet that we plug the estimated times Into
and out spits put your quote.

Set prices don’t make sense to me. Charge for how long you think it
will take to design and set and finish and then metal is added and
gems are added for a grand total.

Kapil,

So what is your price? Essentially you are saying your client can
change their mind and keep editing forever for your one price?

So what is your price? Essentially you are saying your client can
change their mind and keep editing forever for your one price? 

yes we have a minimum charge and hourly after that.

Hi

So what is your price? Essentially you are saying your client can
change their mind and keep editing forever for your one price? yes
we have a minimum charge and hourly after that. 

Nobody ask for editing forever.

May be one or two small edit If client change their mind Then it will
be remake and that is another file but it is very rarely.

Custom work always depand on Client. If my client have good
Knowledge of jewellery making Then no problem