how do you make wooodworking profit?

Question

i like to build projects but by the time i buy the wood its really expensive. i mean i built a chair and the supplies were $200. then i got to add on my profit for my time. how much should i add on? i saw the exact same chair for $100. i don't think i can sell it because my chair is way too much. how can i make a profit? i belive in handmade stuff is better quality than cheap juck made in factories. but still I NEED HELP!

Answer 1

Welcome to globalization my friend. Where people don't care about quality as much as they do about price. Hence all the stuff now is made in china with the cheapest material and workers who get few dollars in a day! By shopping at places like Walmart, dumb Americans are putting themselves out of business.
All of that being said, there is a market for the hand made goods made in the states. Its the "high end" market.
So you have to make very beautiful and high end goods from best quality woods available.
Then, you can charge an arm and a leg and people will (rich ones) will gladly pay for it.
Just remember the fact that its made by HAND and in USA are your selling points.



good luck buddy



cheers

Answer 2

I had a contractor who went around to festivals and craft shows. He made things like clothes hampers, quilt racks, potato and onion bins, and lots of decorative cut out things -- his wife was an artist and would hand paint the cut out things.

They had a regular route of festivals and craft fairs and took custom orders. He quit doing the contracting since he loved the woodworking and chit chatting with people at the fairs. And he made more money.

Smaller decorative items is definitely more marketable.

Answer 3

Go smaller.

Small decorative boxes for the table top or book case, that have hidden drawers in them are nice.

Decorative birdhouses for INDOORS as decorating items that can be hung from the ceiling or placed around potted plants.

Small fancy looking stands for holding TV remotes.