How much should I charge?

[NCtrueconservative]

I got a buddy who may want me to paint his truck. Dodge, 2500 Cummins, single cab 96 I think.  He saw the work I did on my chally and my dads bug, and said he wanted to get me to paint it.  He said he'd pay me, just needed to know how much it would be.  Now I'm not talking about materials added in, I can get those.  And I won't charge by the hour, since I'm probably a little slower than a full time body guy.  But the truck will needed sanded down, body work, primer, paint and clear.  I don't wanna charge out the roof, he's my friend. Just charge enough to make it worth my while. Idk, whadya guys think?

[Giveitawack]

I have been in your situation a couple of times. Cars, moped, ski-doo hood, even a tractor. My experience is that it means a lot of hours, nights and weekends. Questions: "Isn't it ready yet?". When it is done, comments on the result, not always positive. You feel guilty and want to lower the price. You may end up with very little money and maybe your friendship takes a beating.
Me and a friend painted his Dodge Dart in 2006. We used my shop. He did all the prepwork. He assisted me with masking, cleaning, tack-ragging. I did the painting. Between the layers we had coffee and watched DVDs.
We traded. My work for parts that he had. No money exchanged.
This setup worked fine. We are still friends!

[06Daytona]

I've done a few paint jobs for friends over the years and for a while I was pretty good at pricing. It's been so long now that I have no idea but without the bodywork I'd say about 600-1000 bucks. I usually told them 'If you help I can lower the cost, If you help and I have to fix your help then I'll raise the cost, If you complain that it's taking too long, or when it's finished I'll double the cost.' When I started I priced low and explained that it wasn't my day job so the price reflects that, as I got better I charged more.

[DocMel]

Its not a matter of just charging.    Here's a good hint.   Have your friend help you:   Prepping, masking, sanding, cleaning, etc. so that he gets his hands dirty, and that he learns how much work is involved, and that he learns something period.  Have him there when you spray, etc.     

Ive done jobs for buddies, and had them assist in everything  (except spraying, but you could let himn shoot a test panel) and only charged them dinner and beer afterwards

[Cuda_Kevin]

I was going to guess around 1K...Like the member above mentioned, if he can help out to do some of the crap work it makes it a little easier/faster for the finished product...

1K tops though if it's a clean truck....

Kevin