Pricing for clock repair

[Brucethedude]

Hi
My hobby is turning into a very small side job. I have been fixing antique clocks for about 1 year. People have started to approach me to look at their antique clocks and I really don’t know how to charge since I still consider myself a newbie. I am 20 and would possibly like to make this a small business one day. I have been offered an intern/apprentice position but logistics has made that difficult.
thank you

 

[Willie X]

One thing is for sure, your overhead is way way more than you think.
Willie X

 

[Chris.K]

As Willie stated, you better have a nice bank-roll before you start. I only putz around with my clocks and friends will bring me theirs to fix. I have a mini shop in a spare bedroom and seems that each clock i'm asked to service I have to buy another tool or something that cant be passed to the customer and next thing ya know you have 10k in tools lying around and making $100 for a repair that messed up most of your day. But it is fun to breath life back into a clock.

 

[nutmegtinker]

As Willie stated, you better have a nice bank-roll before you start. I only putz around with my clocks and friends will bring me theirs to fix. I have a mini shop in a spare bedroom and seems that each clock i'm asked to service I have to buy another tool or something that cant be passed to the customer and next thing ya know you have 10k in tools lying around and making $100 for a repair that messed up most of your day. But it is fun to breath life back into a clock.

I am not in the repair business myself but, it seems to me that the apprentice approach working from your home would be the way to begin. My local repair guy started that way taking simpler jobs from an established repair business and doing it nights and weekends. He ended up quitting his day job and buying out the business. In terms of rates, he quoted me $650 to overhaul a Seth Thomas #2 with a 6 month wait. I ended up doing it myself but, he obviously has high demand. So, if you love it and have the opportunity to partner up with an established, knowledgeable person, go for it.

 

[Wimberleytech]

I am an amateur, although when I was a teen I did clock repair for my dad who was a watchmaker and business owner. I went on to get an engineering degree, but in retirement I have returned to watchmaking and clock repair. Currently I am fixing time pieces for friends at no charge. Suddenly I have many more friends! One friend had a cuckoo clock they wanted repaired. I did, and noticed an estimate for the repair some 10 years previous: $400. Another clock I fixed recently was a strike/chime Seth Thomas electric. A very complex clock. I found a guy on the interweb that fixes them for $1200. I have fixed two more of the same design and each time it takes less time. There are other internet clock repair people that post their general fees...just do some googling.

Yes, tools can be expensive. I was fortunate to inherit the majority of the tools I use, but I still buy more when I need something really specialized.

 

[Wimberleytech]

But it is fun to breath life back into a clock.

Indeed. Most of the watches I have fixed for friends come with a story. One was a father's watch who died when the boy was eight years old...it was a joy to bring the life back to that Bulova. Another was a dollar watch (a unique challenge) that was a "Smokey Bear" watch given to one of the rangers involved in rescuing the original Smokey. Any way...it is fun stuff.

 

[shutterbug]

Starting out, you may need to farm out some work to other shops. Charge what you think is a decent hourly wage in your area, add parts and see how it goes. Buy tools as you need them.
Build up a good reputation, and you will be busy .... but it's hard to make a living at it now days.