Basic Calculation to Estimate the Finishing Cost

The finishing cost has to be properly calculated in the wood furniture manufacturing of the finishing shop. The finishing cost could be a significant cost component in the process of manufacturing furniture. If you run a finishing shop, then the calculation of the finishing cost is the key to making profit. For some people, the calculation and estimation of the finishing cost could be quite difficult. The finishing process has lots of variables that need to be considered. The finishing has a great variation from the simple to the complex. A simple finish might be able to be simply done and only need small finishing material with simple facilities. While the complex finishing could be a complicated process, requiring a long time of processing, high-skilled people, and even special materials and tools. The finishing cost calculation becomes more complicated because you deal with wood. Wood is natural material that has very big variation properties. However, if you do finishing service, then you absolutely must be able to do the calculation for the finishing process. 
Actually, calculating the finishing cost is not too difficult if you have enough experience in the finishing process. What you need to do is make a record for every finishing job you do. The record should include the type of and the amount of finishing material used, the processing time, and the utility for the finishing process. Based on the record and data, you can estimate the finishing process cost for the finishing process with similar color and look. 

But however, if you run finishing service, you will meet the new color, new finishing process, and new material. Because of this reason, every finishing service needs to find a formula to make an estimation for the finishing cost for the finishing. 

Basically the finishing cost is a technically matter that can be calculated base on the element of the finishing work, that are : the finishing materials, finishing utility and labor cost. If you can cost the cost of each element properly, then you can get an accurate finishing cost estimation. 

Here are the steps to do the finishing cost estimation.

1  Finishing process.

The calculation of the cost of finishing should be started from the step of finishing. You must start to make a step panel for the finishing color that was asked by your buyer. Make a panel for your buyer and show it to him; make sure he already agrees with the color and look of the finishing you make. Please make sure that you use the same wood for the panel and the product. The step panel must be clear and show the finishing process and step because it will be used as a standard process for your finishing process. When you finish your step panel, then you have known the finishing materials and the work process that are needed to make it. Please notice that when you make a step panel, you need to consider the factors that could affect the result, such as the wood variation, facility, finishing materials, drying time, etc. To see more information about step panels, please see our previous article: Step panel for furniture finishing.

2. Calculation of finishing material.

When the finishing process is set up, then you will be able to calculate the finishing material needed for each process. The calculation is usually based for each square meter of finish surface area. You can make calculations based on the data or record that you have made. For reference, you can use the spreading rate of finishing material table below.

the spreading rates of finish material in application

3. The calculation of the utility material.

In addition to the finishing materials, you also need to account for the utility of the materials needed. Do calculation for the utility and supporting material, such as: washing thinner, sandpaper, cloth, rag, electricity, etc.

3. The calculation of labor costs.

Some finishing may be done with a quick and easy process, but there are many complicated finishing processes that take a long time to work. Therefore, you need to calculate the labor cost separately. The calculation of labor cost is calculated by estimating the working hour needed to do the process. Consider the complexity of the finishing process that will need extra working hours. 

With the proper calculation, you can estimate the cost of finishing a particular color. The calculations of points 1 and 2 are usually based on every square meter of finish surface. If you do calculations for the project, then you need to make calculations for the finishing area for the product and multiply the cost per square meter.