Building other people's models for them?

Sounds like you have a good opportunity there. Research with the customer what he wants, and order all the parts and kits so that he is aware of the cost of items, plus paints, glue, upfront, then agree on some hourly wage to build them all.

I make part of my living building on commission. I've learned the hard way a few things.....

1- a written contract, it can be simple but get all the below in writing.
2- a list of exactly what the customer wants.
3- time frame for the build and always allow yourself some wiggle room because delays do happen.
4- delivery method, in my case you have three coices, pick it up, Fedex next day air special handling, Fedex second day air special handling. Always insure for the full value of the completed model and charge actual cost of packing, shipping and insurance.
5- price, note that it's a good idea to mention here a 50% non-refunadable deposit (a standard requirement for most professional builders).
6- who supplies the kits and aftermarket, if the customer does make it part of the deposit. I prefer to supply everything myself, that way of the guy decides he doesn't want to pay or pay the full price I have leverage I might not have id he supplied the kit.
7- display base style and case cover. I never build on a base without a cover and I charge my actual cost for that (my supplier charges $160 for a destroyer sized case but it's worth it).

I always make sure it's something that at least piques my interest, the customer is a reasonable sort of guy with realistic expectations and the prime criteria is that I have time to build it right. Not knowing your skill level I can't really advise you on pricing, go with something that will make you some money but not so much that the customer expects museum grade workmanship. Don't lowball your bid just to get the job, that can turn into a nightmare fast.

My general price guide is:
planes- 10 times the retail cost of kit and aftermarket.
tanks- 15 times the retail costs.
dioramas- 20 times the retail costs.
ships- 1/350 only, based on plastic or resin (resin gets a cheaper rate since they build mush faster).....I break prices out by class but for example a 1/350 carrier- $2000 basic build with PE rails, ladders, radar, etc. (prewar #5 standard Navy grey, Ms11, 12, 21 or 22); PE catwalks add $250; full airwing add $500; open hangar with interior add $250-400 depending on the ship; light the hangar add $250; sea base add $350; crew figures add $100-300 depending how many you want; Ms12mod or Ms3x scheme add $500.
Am I expensive? Yes, but I do competition/museum grade work and I make sure commission work is built to my highest standards, that is not always the case when I build for myself. I've learned to separate my hobby building from my professional building.

the only problem i see is if they come out real good you want to keep them for yourself
that would be my problem

Nice. Great opportunity if it works out. I hope it does.

The others definitely offered some wonderful advice. Good for you for asking and not just jumping in. I think you'll find that it will save you from troubles later on.

I also have to say it says something that your father is supportive of you in this. That's awesome.

I have done it both ways-- for my wife's uncle who was a Red Ball Express driver, I built it for free-- as I also did for two veterans in town-- one was a Tuskegee Airman who received a Mustang from me-- and another was a ball turret gunner who received a Fort.

Currently I am building one for a colleague who's grandfather was a Helldiver radioman/ gunner....I am just charging him for the kit and paints.....but if someone offered to "hire" me- I would definitely take him up on it!

You should go visit with him a few times to get to know what he likes. It helps if you both have the same interests in the types of tanks and can strike up a relationship as persons who are interested in the same things.

Do you have any of your work to show him? If not, then I agree, build some demos to see if a) you are really up to this and b) to see if he likes you work well enough to pay for it. Also, bear in mind if he advertised in the paper, then there will be others offering their services as well, but don't be alarmed, many price themselves out due to thinking that since they are building for a fee, that they must charge "professional" prices. If he doesn't choose to have you build, then again, have him give a critique of your work. You are young and any comments will only help you understand what you need to work on and help you improve.

I got started building for others at your age by having people see may work at model shows, art and craft shows, and displays around town. They would then call me to see what it would take for me to do a build. I started working for just the price of kits and materials, then would let the person offer what they feel would be an honest price for my time. I was surprised what some of the offers were and kinda felt that I wasn't worth that much but hey, it made the car payments when I was in college.

Since my mother was an artist, she had experience in this type of transaction and she stressed the point to always sit down, talk out an agreement about expectations, time, and payment, and write it down. Make sure to give some leeway in case you cannot meet the agreed deadline. But again, you need to show him some of your previous work.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you must enjoy the builds. It would be easy to get burned out when having to build to deadlines, repititions, and to others expectations. I know because I've done this, and so have many of the other modelers here on the forum.

Good luck to you, this is a nice opportunity and experience for someone your age.

Scott

I like all your ideas guys and I will have to agree on pricing up front. I like QT and Petes ideas on a test model. My dad and I are going to see this guy on the weekend. I think I'll have a fun time building all these kits. I hope I'll live up to this guys expedtations

I agree with Trowlfazz & QT. Make some kind of agreement (probably have to get your Dad involved due to your age) & just do the one model first as a test piece.
I've been building for other people for a couple of years now & there are a couple of other people on here who do too.
I normally ask for the kit price plus about 50% for the finished article. I have a well paid job so don't need to make much profit, I get plenty of time off, I'm usually building for friends & I'd be building in my spare time anyway .
So, as above, look on it as modelling experience. just don't count your chickens...
All the best
Pete

This thread interests me. I wish I had someone ask me to build models for money!! Oh well, maybe in my next life...

Anyway, my biggest concern would be making sure that my product met the expectations. To make sure of this, I'd try to work out a pre-deal deal. He buys one model, you put it together as per his specs. If he's not happy, he's out one model. If he's somewhat happy, you'll know about it and he will know what your work is 'worth' in dollars to him. If he's really happy, you can start to work away on a good deal without any worries.

Then again, I'm pretty new to this and don't have a lot of extra confidence in the quality of my work yet :)

QT

Agree with trowlfazz cover your butt and arrange all the conditions beforehand(in writing).

Building kits for other people is not easy it can get fairly stressful, 14 kits all tanks is a very repetetive subject and I hope it is your main-line.

Depending on time constraints you might need to work you a plan to build the kit along side each other or one by one. Same with the Diobase and figs.

Not trying to discourage you. My advise is go for it, it will be an experience.

Or you could look at as getting to build 14 models without spending a dime. I'm building an F-105 for a man who flew them in Vietnam and I told him up front that I'd build it for nothing if he bought everything. He said no way I was going to build it for free, naturally, but we'll see what happens. I'm not greedy.

Mike- I would want some upfront agreement as to payment and expectations. Protect your tail end.

Go for it man. more power to ya. I would certainly ask how much. If he's paying for the kits and supplies, I would say $500 based on the number of kits you have to do. $1500 if you get all the stuff including paint, supplies, etc. my