I need your thoughts, advice and suggestions on starting a small business
@HeresTheScoop (748)
United States
June 7, 2012 6:12pm CST
My son and I have been wanting to have a hobby type business. We are throwing around the idea of building dollhouses. We have a couple of simple plans that I came up with. We want them to be affordable but definitely want to produce quality dollhouses.
Here's what we're thinking:
- Dollhouse made out of wood
- Size of dollhouse - 2ft wide x 3.5ft - 4ft tall
- Inside detail: base boards and crown molding, flooring
- Interior paint and/or wallpaper
- Outside details: roof shingles, windows, shutters, doors, trim, porch & railing
- Exterior paint using a base color and one or two trim colors
(We're not going to make the furniture or people because retail stores sell those.)
With the above information,
- what would be a reasonable selling price?
- any comments, advice, suggestions?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
8 Jun 12
That sounds like a great idea--in healthier financial times. Things are bad right now and the number of people that can afford a quality product like that are getting fewer every day. A doll house of that handmade quality should go for at least $200. I personally don't know anyone who would part with that kind of money right now, even for a child.
Why not start small like birdhouses? You won't risk as much, will have a more affordable product and can test the market for such things. There are a lot of things you can make that people will buy as long as it's priced so that people on tight budgets can afford to splurge on them.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
8 Jun 12
birdhouses! what a great idea! i have to agree with you because right now the economy is not in the best and a lot of people have to struggle just to get by without worrying about the extras. i speak from experience, we are in that boat right now too!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
12 Jun 12
I looked up some popular wooden handcrafts and found children’s building blocks and toys like wagons for dolls but you’d have to have them sign a waiver when they buy. Then there are wall hooks in different shapes and colors, bookends, wooden bowls and animals, small tables. I bought something at a thrift shop a few years back that looks great, it’s a miniature table to put a plant on. Think about the stuff you can make with wood and tools.
My dad enjoyed making little wooden men you mounted on your deck and the men would chop wood or saw when the wind blew. Unfortunately, he got very ill and never did make one for me but it was fun watching that little man chop wood!
1 person likes this
@HeresTheScoop (748)
• United States
11 Jun 12
I'm with both of you! This is also the kind of information I need. I have looked online for prices and they have been high for the quality of materials they used. That's why I was hoping to be able to sell them for a reasonable price. Maybe I need to re-think this.
Birdhouses were selling really well up until 2010 in the state that I live. Everyone was making them and selling them in craft shows, flea markets, retail stores, and small owner craft stores.
I do want to make something that people want to buy and have it at a reasonable price for them.
1 person likes this
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@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Jun 12
Sounds like a really good idea...plus fun. I think if there was any avice I could gice you it would be to keep it fun. If I were going to do it, I might offer then through a website. Let the people who order them personalize them. That would be neat.
1 person likes this
@teamrose (1492)
• United States
8 Jun 12
You are looking for the reasonable selling price which is very difficult to say. You should start with the cost to make the item. How much are your materials? How much time and labor will be put into the houses? How intricate or detailed is the finished product? If you are truly building a high quality, luxury doll house, you have to base your price on the value of the end product. If you are throwing together a cheap do-it-yourself handyman special, again you would base the retail price on the item. People will pay for quality. I would not worry about the economy, because if you have an high-end product, people with money will seek you out. You are not limited to your on region. With the internet and good photos and description, you can sell you doll houses anywhere.
Photo is a dollhouse that recently sold on the internet. Will you house compare in looks and/or quality. This house sold for $250. The more detail, the better the quality, the more you can expect to make. Good luck. I hope you keep me posted on your progress. I love doll houses. Even the kits are quite expensive.
1 person likes this
@HeresTheScoop (748)
• United States
12 Jun 12
I want to make doll houses from scratch out of wood, definitely not do-it-yourself kits. My goal is to make a reasonably priced, good quality product. There will be some detail like base boards, crown molding, exterior/interior paint, window and door frames.
I want to sell a 'high-end product' but not sure exactly what features, other than the wood and detail I described above, will make it high-end. I think I just need to build one and add up the costs and my time. That will help me decide whether it will be worth my time and if it can be at a reasonable price for buyers.
Thanks for the link.
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
8 Jun 12
Honestly your best bet to price it is to look online at similar offerings other people make. I would check to see what is on Ebay and www.etsy.com for starters. I'm a wood turner and just getting into the craft industry again. Probably only a step further along than you are. Hope that is helpful.
1 person likes this
@HeresTheScoop (748)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Yes, that information is helpful! Good luck with your wood crafting.
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
8 Jun 12
When my daughter is still on her much younger years, we would be buying doll houses for her barbie dolls. So I know that this kind of business will be a good one. As to the price, consider all the expenses including the labor and make a 100% mark up. Please also consider the paint that you would have to use because this thing will be played by children.
1 person likes this
@hanmien (2)
• Guangzhou, China
5 Jan 15
you can check a pretty doll house at here!
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