Why a kilt costs what it does...a re-re-re-hash

[toadinakilt]

Or get Barb's book, download Alan's x-Kilt manual and Barb and Matt's addendums, and learn to make them yourself. I realized two days ago, while doing our family budget, that if I wanted to have any decent number of kilts, I'd just have to make them.

[wildrover]

That's an excellent post, Alan!

Also, it's why I may never get anything other than wool kilts, unless there's a specifically good reason...like most other handmade goods, the majority of the price is in the work, not in the material...so it's worth spending a little more on the material, because the price for the work is the same whether the kilt is made from the finest wool in the world, or felted cat hairballs.

You'll find a similar attitude from customers and welders, machinists, fabricators, carpenters, interior decorators, party planners, tailors...any trade where the bulk of the cost is paying for irreplaceable human knowledge and experience.

-Sean

[The Wizard of BC]

Another good estimate and breakdown Alan.


Here are some actual numbers.

I charge a flat rate for my labor to make a Tartan Model Kilt of $325.00cdn.

It takes me between 24 and 30 hours to build a Tartan Model Kilt.

This means my hourly wage is between $10.75 and $13.50/hr.

16oz Lochcarron Strome fabric goes for $86.60cdn per meter double width.

For a person with Hips less than 45" I can order 4 meters of fabric.

This means that the cost of the fabric comes to $346.40cdn.

With a total cost of the kilt at $671.00 approx half of that is fabric cost.

I then have to sell some accessories if I want to eat that night.