Piece of Paul Dolkos' layout for sale

[AlkemScaleModels]

The fellow who bought Paul's layout is selling off a section that he can't use. It is very well presented.

http://www.embassyproducts.com/Photos.html

[John]

The asking price for the layout section, run-around track, and  
brass locomotive is $9,500.

While I think the work is really good ..  

[Ian MacMillan]

*****! I thought I'd never see the day where I thought of selling the speeders...

[AlkemScaleModels]

If you contracted a professional layout builder to construct a similar project to that standard, you'll probably pay more than that.

However, it is much harder to get a fair price for a layout built on spec.

[bigford]

almost ten grand for a corner module and a brass loco
somebody is mainlining the maple syrup

[AlkemScaleModels]

I thought it would be interesting to do an estimate of what it would take for a client to hire me to build this project for them. I build custom models for people and museums, so I have some experience in this (I am actually doing a set of buildings in S scale for a client right now, including a large station, so I have recent experience in structures).

At $50 per hour for labor this project I would charge $9200 without the engine. I actually charge more than that per hour for labor, but that is what I figure the equivalent rate would be to do this at around $9.5K. So I would have to cut my labor rate to take on this job at $9K.

I looked up discount prices on line for kits, but most of the structures here are scratch built and take more time. In fact I made many of the signs on the layout for Paul and I know how exacting he was in that process.


                                                Material Cost  Labor (Hours)Total Labor Cost   Total   
Structures                                                                           Notes
   Double Girder Bridge Abutments     $71         5                $250     $321            2@$13 central valley kits  plus 3@ $15 abuts.
   Covered Bridge                              25      10                $500     $525    
   Pleezing Scratchbuild                    $25       10                $500     $525    
   White Paper Power                    $25          8                $400     $425    
   Freight House                            $50      15                $750     $800    
   Perini Granite Shifting Crane            $35        15                $750     $785    
   Perini Gantry Crane Bldg                    $50        10                $500     $550    
   NH Granite & Power House            $50        17                $850     $900    
   Barret Café                                    $25        10                $500     $525    
   Barret Station                            $55       8                $400     $455    
Scenery   Trees large (12)                     $1       12                $600     $601    
   Trees Small (30)                            $15        3                  $150     $165    
   Ganite Blocks                             $2        1                 $50     $52    
   Water                                   $20       3               $150     $170    
   Ground Foam                           $20       4               $200     $220    
Track   6 Turnouts Hand laid                   $15      18               $900     $915    
   Track Hand laid                          $15       6               $300     $315    34 linear feet
   Switch Motors                         $78       3                $150     $228    
   Power pack                                   $25       0.1                $5     $30    
   Wiring                                  $10       6              $300     $310    
Frame   Wood for frame                  $25         2               $100     $125    
   Legs                                          $10      1               $50     $60    
   Sky Board                                  $10      3             $150     $160    
   Fascia                                  $4      1                $50     $54    

Total                                                           $8,555     $9,216    

[rswinnerton]

Doing it yourself....Priceless

[Bob Bufkin]

Looks like we got a budget analyst in the crowd.

[bigford]

in todays recession i just do not see to meny people
willing to part with that kind of money...
 
 i have just about ten grand i my chevy motor
motor is a BILL MITCHELL block $3000.00
       weiand 8-71 supercharger $2500.00
   2 X barry grant blower carbs $2000.00
            eagle crank with work $1000.00
           airflow research heads $1200.00
dynoed at 755 H.P. at the flywheel  if i needed to sell this motor
today the most i would get is $5000.00  (not for sale)
 
 So ya you could charge $100 a hour labor does not mean
your going to get it back

[AlkemScaleModels]

in todays recession i just do not see to meny people
willing to part with that kind of money...
 
 So ya you could charge $100 a hour labor does not mean
your going to get it back

True, that's why I worded my estimate to say what I would charge a client if he/she asked me to do it. Models built on spec don't command the same premium. However, this is a special case as it is a piece built by one of the top model RRers in the country to an exacting standard that few can match. It has seen a lot of international exposure.  This is not a typical corner module that is going to get treated like cord wood in the back of a club trailer.

When I do a proposal, I present the project at a price I would be willing to do the work. If the client feels it is too high, we don't do the deal. So far, I have never gone over budget on a project (but I have been lucky that no client has demanded a lot of changes once underway).  I am currently doing a proposal for a museum and they want a fairly big project. I suspect when they get the bid, it will not be accepted.

I always wondered about charging too much for my custom model projects. Then I got a bill from a general contractor for a simple change to the lattice on our front porch. I no longer feel any guilt about charging what I do. Although, at least one client that I have done work for (a museum) told me that I don't charge enough. Of course they didn't offer to pay more.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Doing it yourself....Priceless

Not true, there is material cost and opportunity cost for your lost time.


(OMG May be I have been at CBO too long!)

[Sokramiketes]

Seems reasonable to me also.  And it's not just a section of layout that a custom builder built, it's a piece that the builder built for himself, with emotion involved, and has been documented in the railroad press. 

I wish sections like this would end up in a single museum location some day.  But, our medium, as a form of art, is often cast aside by the builder so that he might tackle the next project layout.  The most expensive part of the hobby is the canvas (roof overhead) so everything can't be saved. 

[AlkemScaleModels]

 i have just about ten grand i my chevy motor
-
--

I just noticed, why does a guy called Bigford have a 775HP Chevy? 

[Chris333]

So what did Paul sell the whole layout for?

[bigford]

I just noticed, why does a guy called Bigford have a 775HP Chevy? 

because to go that fast with a ford would have cost me $20,000 ;D