Page Originated 8/1997
Page Updated 06/13/2022
Last update:

MAKING YOUR LOCOS LOOK AND
RUN THE WAY YOU WANT

Please be sure to contact me is you have any questions.

Pricing

Because each job can bring a unique set of problems to be solved, I do not have fixed prices for my work. Rather, I charge on a time and materials basis for all jobs. I do not consider billing on a time and materials basis a license to gouge. I want your repeat business, so I do my best to be efficient and to reduce your cost. However, quality is my over riding consideration, and I will not reduce quality to reduce a job's cost.

For my labor I charge $40 per hour with a $20 minimum charge. This is a bargain, just ask any mechanic or machine shop about their charges.

I charge $100 per hour with a minimum charge of $25 for the time a machine (lathe, mill, drill press) is actually running doing cutting. Set up time is charged at $40 per hour. Typically the set up time greatly exceeds the cutting time. I know that is expensive. However, prices for machine servicing in my area are out of sight. I'm sure you would rather me be in business for your subsequent job rather than me having closed my doors because I couldn't afford to repair a machine. The higher rates would be unusual because I spend much more time planning and measuring that I spend machining.

Please note that I bill only for effective time, i.e., if I make a mistake, you don't pay for my time to fix the mistake.

Here are estimates for custom drives:

Imported Steam Locomotives
These locomotives can be customized as described in Custom Drive Systems for about $800 for a simple engine, and for about $1400 for an articulated engine. There are exceptions - for example: the Max Gray SP 2-6-0 has an unusual split frame with integral driver bearings, so it costs more.
Imported Diesel Locomotives
A cab unit can be customized as described in Custom Drive Systems for about $800 if it has two axle trucks, and about $850 if it has three axle trucks.

How Money is Handled

If you send money to me as a deposit on a job here is how your money is handled and accounted so that it is safe:

  1. The funds are put into a savings account. The funds are not mixed with the other funds in my checkbook account. Thus your money is always available if you change you mind and want a refund.
  2. The computer program QuickBooks is used to perform the accounting for my business. QuickBooks provides a simple way to track all deposits back to the customer. There is never any doubt about how much money you have paid or where it is.
  3. For accounting simplicity interest is not paid on deposits.
  4. For custom built locos, the deposit is drawn upon (transferred to my checking account) as the job progresses. When the deposit funds have been used up, the customer is billed for the progress payments.
  5. For other jobs, the deposit is transferred to my checking account when the job is complete and the bill is prepared.
  6. Some customers make periodic payments to increase their deposit. An updated accounting of their deposit is returned to acknowledge receipt of a payment.

The reason why I don't have fixed prices for customizing locomotives is, for example, a steam loco may be worn such that its rods need to be re-bushed, or broken screws may be embedded in the frame, or, very common, there are broken solder joints to repair.

Payment

Jobs are billed when they are complete with the total due upon receipt. When payment is received the job is shipped; there is no hold for checks. Longer jobs are be billed as the job progresses, e.g., for a scratch built steam loco, bills will be invoiced when the tender is complete, when the engine chassis is complete, when the superstructure is complete, and when the model is finished. The job total includes appropriate packing and insured shipment via the carrier the customer prefers. If I use my shipping system a $250 refundable deposit is requred before the job is shipped.

Interested in learning more about 2-rail O scale? Please visit the O Scale Kings web pages.
These web pages were designed and implemented by Rod Miller.
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