Is this unreasonable or should I ask for more?

Question

we've finished our wedding invites for a friend of mine at work. we spent 4 hours on them and she loves them her husband loves them. They just RAVE about them.

She asked me today what she owed me and I told her it only cost about 30 to make them so that was fine. She looked at me like I was crazy and said "no your time is valueable and you guys did a GREAT job, figure out the hours you worked and give me a price"

I was thinking 5 an hour so that would make it 20 for labor so the total would be 50 dollars.

Is that too much or is that reasonable or what do you think? I live in Columbus Ohio if demographics matter.

Answer 1

If you are uncomfortable naming a price, tell her it cost you $30 to make them and you spent x amount of hours.  Tell her you would feel comfortable with her just paying you for the materials and anything else would be at her discretion.

Answer 2

It's not at all unreasonable. But if you are still uncomfortable with the money issue, say that you simply wish to be reimbursed for the materials, and that the work is your gift to her.

Answer 3

I think that 50 dollars sounds reasonable.

Answer 4

Well considering that really beautiful invites are about $5 a piece and lets say she had 100 guests, she would have spent $500.   So asking for $50 is a blessing for her and some money in your pocket.

Answer 5

Hmm, well I recall you wanted to make a business out of this, correct? How about, you tell her it is her engagement gift and just ask if you can take pictures of them so you can show future potiental clients. You could even ask if she minded if you made another one for you so you could have a sample to show with actual info (of course edit the address) in it.

Answer 6

Hey Ches,

   I agree with everyone else. You need to start somewhere with your business and this would be a great time. You need to figure in material costs and time costs. Miniumum wage here in Oregon is 7.80. I think you need to put a price on this task of say $10-11 dollars an hour. Its not a quest of is it resonable but its a matter of money for the business. They say that in a 6-12 month perion, all start up businesses will loose money on supplies and resources for the business... but I don't they meant this.

Good luck, it sounds as if you are taking the next step in getting your business up and running.

Answer 7

I'm a designer and when I was starting out I charged $15 an hour so I think that's a good rate for you to charge. So for 5 hours plus cost of materials I think you should charge her $105 or you could round it off to an even $100. It might sound like a lot, but your co-worker is right that you shouldn't sell yourself short. I've been in the business 5 years now and would charge about $500 for the same amount of work, so you're really are giving her a deal! Good luck.

Answer 8

Wedding invites that are professionally done are extremely expensive. If you are really ok with $50, than ask for that, it is not too much! I would tell her $100, trust me, even charging her that you are saving her bucu bucks!!

Answer 9

Hi Chesney:

To be honest, I think you are selling yourself short.  I think you need to determine an hourly wage, plus (as you said) the cost of materials.

I would definitely go with $10/hour.  That is the least I would charge.  You are providing

a service....and, like the co-worker said, your time is worth money.  Hey.....here in Michigan the minimum wage just went up to $7.80/hour and I think my daughter pays at least $8-$10/hour for a babysitter these days....so don't sell yourself short.

I would say...."hey Melanie (or whatever her name is)....you are right.  Jason and I have decided to charge $10/hour for our time....so your total is $70."  Really, if she ordered custom invitations from another source (internet), she would also be paying set-up charges and shipping charges.  Also, think about the time it took for you to go and purchase the materials....maybe in the future, add that time into your "work" hours also.

Good luck with your business and I would definitely charge for your time AND the cost of materials.

Answer 10

Thats a huge bargin for her!  If she had someone else(a company or another person), she could be looking at a few hundred bucks for invites!  So thats a great price for her and a bit of spending cash for you.  

:)

Answer 11

I would type up a bill for whatever amount and write "paid" on it and say it was an honor for you to do it for you and to please accept this as "part" of the wedding gift.  If she still insists, you could ask that she takes you out to a nice dinner or make a donation to your favorite charity.

Answer 12

Any type of financial transaction between friends can be uncomfortable...$50 doesn't seem like too much to me & maybe even not enough, but what about telling her to consider it your wedding gift?

Or part of your wedding gift or a shower gift or something...it all depends on how close you are.