Hey folks, I'm a finish carpentry contractor with 7 years under my belt (started at 16, so I'm now 23), focusing on high-end custom projects. I'm currently working on a quote for a project where I'll be building and installing five floating shelves between two walls. Four of these shelves will have recessed LED lighting, while one will be full depth without recess.
Here's the breakdown of the project: the four recessed shelves will measure 51" W × 17" D × 4" H, and the one full depth shelf will be 45" W × 17" D × 4" H. I will be constructing a plywood frame to support the shelves and finishing them with MDF and mitered edges. My work includes plastering, sanding, and priming everything for a seamless finish, although the painting will be handled by someone else. I'll also be taking care of the LED transformers and the wiring to a half-hot circuit.
As for cost, I'm providing the materials myself, which will run about $800 for MDF, plywood, LEDs, plaster, primer, and wiring. I estimate that the labor will take roughly 22 hours at a rate of $80 per hour, which includes all the fabrication and installation work. I considered my yearly professional expenses to set up a daily overhead of about $640. For this project, taking into account everything, my total comes to $3,864. I'd like some honest feedback: Is this price too high for what I'm offering? Am I justified in charging this amount, or should I rethink my pricing strategy to keep my business sustainable while also being fair to clients? I'd really appreciate insights, especially from fellow contractors or anyone familiar with custom finish carpentry and integrated lighting projects. Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
I see you’re going all in with that plywood die wall, but have you considered using flat brackets directly mounted to the studs instead? I’m a bit concerned that you might have over-engineered it. Plus, if you’re doing plastering and electrical work, it's a lot to manage. Why not just provide primed shelves that could be painted with the walls? The plastering seems a bit excessive to me.
Hey! Sounds like a detailed project. Have you dealt with LEDs before? It can get tricky with all the connectors, soldering, and ensuring everything works seamlessly. Personally, I spend a few days just figuring out the lighting on similar jobs. And about those 4" thick shelves—are they really necessary? Just a thought!
Also, are you not including a lens with the aluminum U-channel and strip light? Seems like that might be a little off for a professional job!