You got a reply, the last time you posted your request, from Paul T

Bob

Hi Geoff,

I am not offering but, are you aware of how long it would take to build it, several Months of dedicated work, and that would add up to a sizeable labour charge.

Had you a price in mind?.

Regards,

Len.

Hi guys,

have you been following Gareth's Shemarah build, he's not finished yet, and his has taken 2 years so far.

A Tamar to good quality must take a good couple of years too.

Kim

'

you are not taking into account the glues, paint at 9 quid a can ( and it takes more than one can) and other consumable items,etc, etc which boosts the time up…….and sadly Paul was very low on build time estimate…..the Slipway Tamar and Trent are much harder models to make than the Speedline equivelant andd I would estimate at least 400 hours to build, and at the basic wage of £6.80p that still equates to £2720 + consumables……at Colins rate of £10.00 you are looking at £4200. including consumables,+ the kit + motors and other electrics……around £5000 in total.

I took 8 years off and on over 1000 hours each for my 3 lifeboats plus about 400 quid each for consumables electrics running gear etc etc, and on Colins reckoning of £10 an hour in theory I would be asking for £10400 per boat………..I'll be very lucky to get half that which equates to around £4.75 an hour for labour……………….I consider myself as skilled in what I do as any solicitor, or professional, as ( being big headed and modestly arogant too) I can do something that most of those "professionals can't do"….but would they or you, Mr Hicklin work for £4.75 an hour ibn this day and age.

Now you can see why people are very reluctant to take on commissions during their hobby time……..because they don't get paid a decent wage for it……..and to me, my hobby time is MY HOBBY TIME, and if someone wants to take me away from building what I want, then they will have to pay a good going rate.

Having said that, if you fancy one of my 3 lifeboats already built, I'll glaadly sell one for £7500.00p……….

No……….no I didn't think so for one minute.

sorry I can't help, but I think I have said what I have said, for most very good modellers that you'll find either on this site or anywhere.

neil.

If one doesn't ask, then how can one find out these things……….no need to be sorry!

a genuine question was answered genuinely without malice……no problems as far as I can see.

Mind you, you haven't said whether you would be prepared to pay that sort of money for a build………….if you are wanting to commission someone properly, then maybe there is someone out there that would build your kit for you.

It's basically as simple as that.

neil

I don't think you have upset anyone Geoffrey, and had you not asked it, you might never have known what is actually involved in building a model to a fine finish, and the hours that goes into that process……….now you know….

it's like going to a garage to take your car for repair…………..if you don't ask what it costs then how can you budget for that repair………..

I for one couldn't build a boat for someone knowing that they haven't a clue as to what it is going to cost them in the end and then present them with a bill for 3 -4 or even 5 grand……totally unfair, but I often feel that someone who ( and I am not being condecending when I say this) hasn't the skills to build a model such as as you are wanting, will naturally presume that a skilled modeller can knock a kit up in a few hours, and charge a few hundred quid for doing it in "a bit of spare time"….sadly that isn't the case……………..the chinese may be able to do it, but I don't see why I or any other modeller for that matter with such skills should do it here.

That might be blunt, and to the point, but I don't believe in trying to hoodwink someone who doesn't have those skills to do it themselves…..

If that has upset you, then sorry, didn't mean to, but it's better you knowing now than going out and buying your kit and then not being able to find someone to build it for the price you imagined it might cost…….

I believe in frankness and honesty, and sorry if it hurts to be that, but I make no apologiees for the way I go about my business.

neil.

Geoff

I don't think that you have upset anyone, for myself I have enjoyed this discussion and I am glad that you raised the subject.

Paul

Geoff. I would have a go yourself. Take it slow, think through the stages. It is not rocket science. It takes time and patience. It all depends how much of either you have. You could for instance build a "no frills" model, would be nice and smart, and sail just as well (and look almost as good once out on the water) and you would have done it yourself.

If you are less confident..purchase a.n.other hull and build a boat up to gain skills and technique (loads of hull/deck/superstructure only boats out there).

Basically, and I know they bash on a bit, the gist is..it will be very expensive to have someone else build your boat (for various reasons).

Ashley. PS Theres nothing like sailing a boat that you have built yourself !

Hi Geoff,

Take a look here, this chap builds Life Boats and does not keep them.

**LINK**

Len.

Hi Geoff,

I think Ashley has the right idea, have a go yourself especially as winter is now comming up and a project for the dark nights would while away the time. A couple of years ago I was a complete novice to ship models but was surprised how good (in my eyes) the first effort turned out and the satisfaction of sailing it was brilliant.

Don't take some of the comments given on this thread to heart, they are a friendly bunch really. Indeed if you wanted to have a go yourself and have a problem ask on this site for advice and it will be freely given, have a look at the 'build logs' on the model boat mayhem site as well as see if there are any back numbers of 'Model Boats magazine' which may help you

Ken.