What to charge for tack cleaning

[mydaddysjag]

Recently I had a friend ask me if I would clean some tack for her. Some english saddles, a western show saddle, and her western work saddle. She runs a lesson barn, and simply doesn't have time to do all of her tack. I have never paid anyone to clean my tack, so I really have no clue what to charge her per saddle. I need to make enough to cover the product I use, and a little for my time. I assume I should charge a little more for a fully tooled western show saddle with silver trim than a plain english saddle, but Im not sure how much more, etc.

I also got to thinking that if there's any interest in this in my area maybe its something I could do to make a little spare money while Im on maternity leave for the summer, since my husband is working two jobs, Im pretty bored at home with nothing to do.

I don't want to rob her, or anyone else, but I dont want to lose money either.

 

[chandab]

Do you have any idea how long it'll take to you clean certain items of tack? Do you know how much you want/need to make per hour to make it worth your while?

For example, you want to make $10-15/hour, it takes 2 hours to clean a specific item, you could charge $20-30 to clean that item.

I"ve never paid to have tack cleaned, so I don't know what the going rate might be.

Good luck.

 

[Marty]

I'm getting pretty good at charging for this stuff since I opened up my tack shop. Using my stuff, leather conditioners, cleaners, etc. For me to completely take apart a western saddle and gut the whole thing, including using a tooth brush to haul out cooties and crud, no less than $20.00 and $5.00 more with silver. English is $10.00 Bridles and halters $5-7 with bits fully cleaned. You could totally make a full time job of this. If you add pick up and delivery, tack on a couple of extra bucks. I use Lexol products mostly and leather new. I love Saddle Lac which is in a spray can which adds a nice shinny finishing touch over the whole shebang.

You could also mend and launder stable sheets and blankets.