Deadline to participate in the 2024 FDMC Pricing Survey is fast approaching. The last day to submit bids is October 4. To participate you can download the bid package instantly from Woodworking Network.

The 2024 Pricing Survey is sponsored by Lockdowel and TradeSoft.

How it works

Each survey is founded on collecting projects from original bidders who provide the original specifications. Then that information is shared with our audience, and shops across North America are invited to “bid” on the projects, submitting not only a total price but also break-out data on such things as materials, construction hours, shop rates, installation, and finishing. 

We also ask for information on software and CNC use, years in business, design fees, and the like, all targeted to give a better picture of the bidders and their bids but still keeping all bidders anonymous except for their state or province. That encourages realistic bidding but still gives some regional information for the survey.

Let’s look at the projects in this year’s survey.

Fireplace surround

A fireplace surround with cabinets and shelves on either side and provisions for a television is a popular kind of custom built-in project. But every such project has subtle differences and challenges from scribing to walls and masonry to accommodating modern electronics. How would you price this one?

Miter-beaded inset face-frame kitchen

Requiring precision fitting, the inset face-frame kitchen has been a hallmark of high-end work and elegant design for many years. This kitchen features painted miter-beaded doors and face-frames over pre-finished maple plywood cabinets. Dovetailed maple drawers are also featured. The U-shaped layout surrounds and island and extends off to the side.

Church doors

What happens when you attempt work that is larger and different than you have done before? How does it affect your ability to properly price the project? Those are questions raised by these massive church doors and their surrounding millwork. The doors were delivered pre-hung but unfinished and were done in red oak.

Wine storage cabinet

Even a small wine storage cabinet offers challenges for the custom woodworking shop. It needs to be suitably elegant to match the wine collection and construction needs to follow certain conventions for proper wine storage. That typically means angled joinery and some complex and fussy work. How would you price this one? 

Why participate?

The obvious question posed by the survey is “Why take the time to bid projects I’ll never get paid for?” The answer is because you’ll learn a lot about pricing and be better able to price work profitably in the future. You’ll also be helping the whole industry to do a better job of pricing. That means fewer low-ball prices to compete against, fewer unprofitable jobs, and more realistic customer expectations across the board.

It’s easy to join the survey. Just go to woodworkingnetwork.com/pricing-survey to directly download the bid package. Or you can phone 203-512-5661 or email [email protected], and we will be happy to mail you a hard copy. But don’t delay. All bids are due by October 4 so the results can be published in the November issue of FDMC.