What to charge.
WHAT TO BASE IT ON
Cost, plus margin What the market pays The value to the customer
WHAT DRIVES WHAT CUSTOMERS WILL PAY
The occasion The fabric Your reputation The complexity
WHY OCCASION MATTERS
People pay substantially more for garments for significant events.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Different prices for different work: simple, complex, rush.
WHAT TO CHARGE FOR SEPARATELY
Rush orders Additional fittings Design changes after cutting Complex detailing
WHY RUSH ORDERS SPECIFICALLY
They displace other work and require overtime.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A clear premium, stated before accepting.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT FABRIC
Decide whether you supply it or the customer does.
WHAT SUPPLYING PROVIDES
Margin on fabric, and control of quality.
WHAT CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED FABRIC RISKS
Insufficient quantity Unsuitable fabric Blame if it behaves badly
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That you assess the fabric before accepting the job That shortfalls are the customer's responsibility That you do not warrant fabric behaviour
WHAT TO STATE ABOUT QUANTITY
How much is required, before they buy.
WHY
Insufficient fabric discovered at cutting is a serious problem.
WHAT TO TAKE
A deposit covering materials and some labour.
WHY
Bespoke garments cannot be sold to anyone else.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That the balance is due on collection.
WHAT TO TRACK
Margin per garment type.
