Price Quotation for Custom Leatherwork and Repair Projects

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of premium materials, specifying the exact tannery, hide type, weight, thread brand, and hardware finishes to justify your material costs.
• An itemized labor description that explicitly separates initial design and pattern-making from the physical cutting, assembly, and finishing steps.
• A realistic project timeline with estimated milestones, factoring in specialized sourcing times and necessary curing periods for adhesives or edge paints.
• Specific allowances for fitting sessions or design revisions, outlining exactly how many changes are included before additional fees are incurred.
• Clear payment terms detailing the non-refundable deposit required to secure shop time and buy materials, alongside the final payment schedule.
• Detailed shipping, specialized packaging, or local pickup arrangements, including insurance requirements for transit of high-value custom items.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting to charge for initial pattern drafting, custom fitting sessions, or physical mockups constructed from prototyping materials.
• Using vague descriptions like 'brown leather' instead of specifying the exact tannery and grade, which can lead to disputes over the final aesthetic.
• Failing to include a clear contingency clause for restoration work where hidden structural damage—such as rotted midsoles or cracked gemming—is only discoverable after disassembly.
• Leaving the quotation open-ended without an expiration date, exposing your business to sudden price increases from leather suppliers and hardware foundries.

Frequently asked questions