Sampson to present best practices for pricing wood projects at WPE Florida
Shaker Cabinets FDMC 2020 Pricing Survey

This Shaker cabinet kitchen is one of five projects Sampson will highlight in his presentation, Solving the Pricing Puzzle.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- How to develop quotes for projects that will help custom woodworkers boost orders and maximize profits is the thrust of FDMC Editor Will Sampson’s seminar scheduled for Wood Pro Expo Florida. Sampson will present, “Solving the Pricing Puzzle,” during the Wood Pro Conference track, June 8 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

latest-will-sampson.jpg

During his presentation, Sampson will share the highlights and his personal insights of FDMC's annual Pricing Survey. He’ll examine what various shops charge for the same work, fundamentals of pricing custom work, and common pitfalls to avoid in the estimating process.

Sampson has spearheaded the collection and analysis of the FDMC Pricing Survey for more than two decades. He said he is constantly amazed by the wide price ranges submitted by readers who are invited to develop cost estimates using a common set of project specifications. Invariably, he added, the larger and more complex the project, "the more startling the price variations.” 

The 2020 Pricing Survey, results featured in the November 2020 issue of FDMC, included a Shaker kitchen, retail buildout, a maple "whole house" project, an Adirondack chair, and a home entertainment center with barn doors.

Sampson will review some of the best practices he gleaned by comparing the detailed costing estimates submitted by woodworking professionals including materials, construction and installation hours, and profit margins. “To get an even better handle on their cost estimates, we asked them to report their hourly shop rates, whether they use software for bidding, whether they use CNC machines manufacturing, and what state or province they are from,” Sampson said.

“I think everyone, even seasoned professionals, can learn how to sharpen their bidding skills by exploring a variety of pricing models used by their peers,” he added.

In addition to Sampson’s presentation, the Wood Pro education track includes:

  • Opening digital marketing keynote, presented by Rich Harshaw of Level 10 Contractor; 
  • CNC Essentials for the Small Shop. presented by Brian Clancy of Clancy Woodworking;
  • The Wood Dr. Is in, presented by Dr. Gene Wengert;
  • Bold Ideas for the Post-Pandemic Wold, a panel discussion featuring Edward San Juan of E.F. San Juan Custom Moulding & Millwork; Kelly Victor Burke of Burke Architectural Woodwork; and Lois Snider of Periwinklers Custom Cabinetry & Millwork.

The full-day conference is anchored by tours of The Closet Company, Doormark and Ultrapan Modern Finishes. 

Wood Pro Expo Florida 2021 Registration

 

 

 

About the 2021 Closets Conference & Expo and Wood Pro Expo Florida
The Closets Conference & Expo is the annual national event for closet and home storage professionals. It is co-located with Wood Pro Expo Florida (WPE), a regional marketplace for woodworking professionals. The events are organized by Closets & Organized Storage and FDMC magazines respectively, each part of Woodworking Network. The twin-billing event is scheduled for June 8-10, 2021, at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Palm Beach, Fla.

The Closets Expo and WPE both lead off with a separate full-day conference on June 8, followed by the two-day expo, June 9-10, featuring woodworking machinery and supplies. Additional educational programming is offered on both days of the expo. Tours of local manufacturing plants and the popular Top Shelf Design Awards networking reception are also key components of the event.

For information about exhibiting, and sponsorship opportunities, contact Laurel Didier, publisher of Closets & Home Storage. For inquiries about WPE, contact Harry Urban, publisher of Woodworking Network. 

Additional 2021 Woodworking Network events
Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, Oct.14-15, 2021, Warehouse at the Nook, Lancaster County, Pa. -- Annual woodworking trade show and conference

Executive Briefing Conference (EBC) Sept. 8-10, 2021, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Annual forecast of economic, technology and design trends for the North American woodworking industry.

Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS), Nov. 4-6, 2021, International Centre, MIssissauga, Ontario -- Canada's national woodworking show.

 

 

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Profile picture for user richchristianson
About the author
Rich Christianson | President/Owner/C-Level

Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a Chicago-based communications firm focused on the industrial woodworking sector. Rich is the former long-time editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has toured more than 250 woodworking operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has written extensively on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars including the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Canada’s largest woodworking show.