Custom Furniture Pricing: How Woodworkers Price Builds
How to price custom furniture builds: lumber, hardware, finish, shop time and delivery, with three worked examples.
In this guide
Custom furniture takes many shop hours and expensive lumber. Many woodworkers underprice by forgetting design, finishing and tool wear. This guide shows how to price builds so your shop makes money.
- Price = lumber + hardware + finish + shop time + overhead + design, then profit and fees.
- A side table costs about $414.00 to make and sells for about $555.
- Add 10% to 15% extra lumber for waste.
- Take a deposit to cover lumber.
Why furniture needs full shop pricing
Hardwood prices change. Quote with current prices.
Sanding and finishing can take as long as building.
The steps
1. Cost lumber plus waste
Board feet plus 10% to 15%.
2. Add hardware and finish
Screws, slides, stain and topcoat.
3. Track shop time
Milling, joinery, sanding and finishing.
4. Add overhead
Tools, blades and shop costs.
5. Add profit, fees and delivery
Use 30% profit and add delivery.
Worked example: side table, dining table and bookshelf
$35 an hour shop rate, 15% overhead, 30% profit and 3% card fees.
| Side table | Dining table (6 ft) | Bookshelf | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber with waste | $60.00 | $350.00 | $140.00 |
| Hardware and finish | $20.00 | $60.00 | $35.00 |
| Labor at $35.00/hr | 8 hr = $280.00 | 30 hr = $1,050.00 | 14 hr = $490.00 |
| Overhead (15%) | $54.00 | $219.00 | $99.75 |
| Cost to make | $414.00 | $1,679.00 | $764.75 |
| Plus 30% profit | $538.20 | $2,182.70 | $994.18 |
| Cover 3% selling fees (divide by 0.97) | $554.85 | $2,250.21 | $1,024.92 |
| Suggested price | $555 | $2251 | $1025 |
Delivery is extra. Large pieces may need two people.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Old lumber prices. Quote current prices.
- No waste allowance. Add 10% to 15%.
- No deposit. Take 50% to start.
- Forgetting finishing time. Finishing takes many hours.
Furniture checklist
- Lumber plus waste.
- Hardware and finish.
- Shop time.
- Overhead.
- Profit and fees.
- Delivery and deposit.
Quote custom builds
Type your materials, hours and add-ons into the peach cells. The calculator builds a quote.
Get the Custom Order Quote CalculatorCalculators that help
- Deposits: Track deposits. Use the Custom Order Deposit & Balance Tracker – Deposits, Balances Due & Overdue Orders.
- Machine cost: Cost tool wear. Use the Machine Depreciation & Hourly Cost Calculator – Cost per Hour, per Item & Payback.
- Overhead: Find shop overhead. Use the Craft Business Overhead Calculator – Overhead per Hour, per Item, Overhead % & Shop Rate.
- River tables: Price epoxy builds. Use the Epoxy River Table & Charcuterie Board Pricing Calculator – Wood, Resin & Labor.
Common questions
How much should I charge for custom furniture?
It depends on wood and time. In this guide a side table prices at about $555.
What shop rate should I use?
Many woodworkers use $30 to $75 an hour.
How much deposit?
Often 50%.
Should I charge for design?
Yes, for custom drawings.
How do I price delivery?
By distance and help needed.
How much lumber waste?
Plan 10% to 15%.
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