Building models on commission.

Jay,

I don't think I can give you any tips on how to get started on something like this but I do have something to share that may give you some hope on selling models. My dad, who's soon to be 79 years old, has been building model cars for several years now, just for fun and to have something to do. He doesn't own an airbrush so everything he paints is by brush or spray can. He buys the cheapest paint he can find, doesn't spend money on aftermarket stuff, etc. Most of his models look,well, like a kid built them. Some are pretty nice but most of them are way off from being first class. But that doesn't bother neither he nor I and that's not the point here. He works a couple of days a week at an antique mall and one day he decided to rent a showcase in hopes of selling some of his models. Knowing what his models looked like made me skeptical of him trying to do this. Boy was I mistaken. Since this past January he has sold over thirty models and has made over a thousand bucks!  He sells them for around thirty bucks apiece and has to pay some percentage for the rental on the showcase. I'm happy for him that he can make some money on these models and I'm totally blown away by the fact that people will actually buy models that are at best "fair" in the building and painting aspect. These are certainly not museum quality models but it doesn't seem to bother anyone looking to buy one. I'm seriously thinking about taking some of my aircraft and put them up for sell in his display. Who knows, I might make a buck or two myself. Maybe you can try and do the same and also advertise "commission builds available". You might drum up some business that way. Anyway, good luck to you. Hope you're able to make a little money on your hobby.

Hud

WTG Dad !

Bud

Hud, Congrats to your dad. WTG.

Jay, I don't build 'professionally', but I have done some kits for a few folk. Mostly veterans that wanted a model of what the flew or were in. I couldn't charge them anything other than the kit cost. Didn't feel right to me. I have had others ask to build something for them, but was beyond my means at the time. You may need to be able to scratch build. Lots. Maybe even complete models. Some may ask for  completely detailed interiors, wiring etc. done. Corrections made to make an accurate replica. Some, just a straight out of the box build. Building to a time restriction can be a downer too. Your 'free time' is eaten up with the "must do" list. As far as cost. It's up to you. It's your time.

If you create a market for yourself building what you like, Good on ya. Hope it works out.

Good luck

Drew

There are a few on this forum that build in commission (I think Pixelator and Swanny) but I don't believe that it there primary source of income.

Only a handfull of people really live from modeling but not only from selling the actual models but by writing books, articals, running websites etc. 

You can find more information about prices etc. of commission builds by using the search option (you are not alone in the dream of making models for a living)

I have to agree with you Jon about model making for a living. I doubt I could survive unless I was to work for a company that specialized in that sort of goods. I doubt I'd even be a qualified applicant anyway.  One thing about a hobby, no matter what it may be, is that it's a hobby, not a job. I'd think for me my mindset would change quite a bit if I knew I was turning out models to sell to put food on the table. It would be too much like work and I'm afraid the enjoyment I get from building would soon be gone. There are some people that actually take what is/was a hobby and turn it into full time work. My dad for instance, he was in the antique business for some time and made good money at it and that all started as a hobby. He'd probably still be at it if it weren't for his age. But for me, I just don't think I would want to do that. I have thought about trying to sell a few "dogs" that are cluttering up my shelves and by what I've seen through my dad's attempt to sell "less than museum quality" builds I think a could unload a couple. It's just amazing what people will spend money on.  Ya never know though. BTW, where is Parkton? I've lived in NC most of my life and have travelled all around this state but I don't recall ever going thru or near it. Just curious.

Hud

hud wrote:

One thing about a hobby, no matter what it may be, is that it's a hobby, not a job. I'd think for me my mindset would change quite a bit if I knew I was turning out models to sell to put food on the table. It would be too much like work and I'm afraid the enjoyment I get from building would soon be gone.

Talk about hitting the nail square on the head, you just said a mouthfull Hud! I've made that mistake twice in my life - electronics and IT, never again. Quickest way to kill a hobby is to try and make a living at it. At least for me that has been the case.

-dave

hud wrote:

BTW, where is Parkton? I've lived in NC most of my life and have travelled all around this state but I don't recall ever going thru or near it. Just curious. Hud

Dave23 wrote:

Talk about hitting the nail square on the head, you just said a mouthfull Hud! I've made that mistake twice in my life - electronics and IT, never again. Quickest way to kill a hobby is to try and make a living at it. At least for me that has been the case. -dave

Thanks to everyone for their input!

I guess I have a few things to consider before making any commitment...

If anyone has more thoughts to share, please don't hesitate!

Jay

ajlafleche wrote:

I've done a few, mostly for club commissioned museum displays and most recentlly a Chevelle for my brother-in-law's wedding cake. (Don't ask!) Thet get real tedious real fast when there's a difficulty n the build and you can't put it on the back shelf or launch it to the wall.

That's right , you did but it on your brother-in-law's wedding cake. I STILL want to see pics of that.......

Bud

Dubau wrote:

ajlafleche wrote: I've done a few, mostly for club commissioned museum displays and most recentlly a Chevelle for my brother-in-law's wedding cake. (Don't ask!) Thet get real tedious real fast when there's a difficulty n the build and you can't put it on the back shelf or launch it to the wall. That's right , you did but it on your brother-in-law's wedding cake. I STILL want to see pics of that....... Bud

Ask and you shall receive.

Picture of the original with the model.

Wedding cake

Personally, I perfer building kits that I'm interested in.  I would not like to build a Dinosaur for someone lets say or medieval figures for example.  I have no interest in those subjects.  I could not see myself making a good job on such models.  If a friend ask me to make a model for him and I like the subject, I'll do it with no hesitation but I doubt that I could do any money with it.  Lets calculate this:  the kit $40, aftermarket stuff $30, paint $10, x-acto blades $2, glue $3, time ???????  

I think if you want to do this you must be aware of prices, time it takes to build, etc... to be able to come up with a realistic price.

If I would do it for a friend, I would only charge for the material and not for the time.  I spent almost 40 hours on my last Tiger I late armor.

ajlafleche wrote:

Dubau wrote:  ajlafleche wrote: I've done a few, mostly for club commissioned museum displays and most recentlly a Chevelle for my brother-in-law's wedding cake. (Don't ask!) Thet get real tedious real fast when there's a difficulty n the build and you can't put it on the back shelf or launch it to the wall. That's right , you did but it on your brother-in-law's wedding cake. I STILL want to see pics of that....... Bud Ask and you shall receive. Picture of the original with the model.   Wedding cake

Pretty cool, sadly the figures were out of scale

ajlafleche, Now that's COOL.

Thanks for the pic.

What did everyone say about it at the Wedding ?

Bud

I don't honestly know...the cake was off to the side and kind of hidden. The tables were banquet style, long and narrow rather than round which didn't encourage a lot of conversation. The hall was also long and narrow, so most people  probably didn't see the cake at all except when they cut it.

My B-I-L liked the car.

ajlafleche wrote:

Wedding cake

If I ever get hitched again, I want a rusted out Chevy pickup up on blocks sittin' there all pretty like!

-dave

jwb wrote:

ajlafleche wrote:   Wedding cake   In Jeff Foxworthy voice....... "If you've ever had a Chevelle wedding cake topper......." LOL Cool cake!

LOL

Bud

In Jeff Foxworthy voice....... "If you've ever had a Chevelle wedding cake topper......." LOL Cool cake!

You have no idea...The rehersal "dinner" was a cook out in the bride's family's two car garage. The tables were plywood sheets set on saw horses and covered with plastic in a baloon motif reminiscent of a Wonder Bread wrapper. The condiments (for company, remember) were who knows how old 3/4 empty jars of mustard, relish, ketchup and mayo. The drink of choice was Mike's Hard Lemonade. The flower girl went to a small puddle in the driveway and tried to drink it before attempting to play bongos on the steaks waiting for the grill.

The best man gave a toast that sounded like one of the leads from Brokeback Mountain lamenting the loss of the good times he and the groom had had staying at motels while going to the races. The groom wore a black tuxedo and black patent leather shoe with white socks.

ajlafleche wrote:

The groom wore a black tuxedo and black patent leather shoe with white socks.

LOL.  ROFLMAO