How Do Taxidermists Set Their Prices?
Most taxidermists set prices based on local competition without calculating actual cost. This is the primary reason underpricing the first 3 years is the number one reason taxidermists fail to build viable businesses. Pricing to match your cheapest local competitor - without knowing whether that competitor is profitable - is a race to the bottom that costs you money at every mount.
The correct approach to taxidermy pricing is cost-plus: calculate everything that goes into producing one mount, add your target labor rate, add overhead, add profit margin. The number you arrive at is your minimum sustainable price. Whether local competitors charge that or not is secondary information.
TL;DR
- Taxidermists set prices based on material costs, tannery fees, labor time, regional market rates, and overhead.
- Material costs including forms, eyes, and ear liners typically run $100-$170 per deer shoulder mount.
- Tannery fees of $40-$80 per deer cape are a direct cost before any profit.
- Labor at 5-10 hours per mount at a target hourly rate sets the floor for pricing.
- Regional market comparison ensures pricing is competitive without leaving money on the table.
The Cost-Plus Formula
For a standard deer shoulder mount, the cost breakdown looks like this:
Tannery cost: Varies by provider, typically $60-100 for a deer cape. This is a fixed direct cost you pay whether or not the mount is profitable.
Form cost: A quality commercial deer form runs $45-75 depending on size and manufacturer.
Consumables: Glass eyes ($8-12), adhesives, wire, clay, finishing materials, thread - typically $25-40 for a deer shoulder mount.
Labor hours at your target rate: A deer shoulder mount takes 4-7 hours for an experienced taxidermist, depending on complexity and finishing standards. If you want to earn $30/hour in labor, that's $120-210 for labor alone.
Overhead allocation: This is what most taxidermists miss. Your shop rent, utilities, insurance, software subscription, marketing costs, and equipment depreciation all need to be allocated across each mount you produce. If your overhead is $2,000/month and you mount 20 deer in that month, each deer should carry $100 in overhead cost.
Profit margin: Above all of the above, you need margin to reinvest in the business, cover slow months, and build financial stability.
Add it up: tannery ($80) + form ($60) + consumables ($35) + labor ($165 at 5.5 hours x $30) + overhead ($100) = $440 in total cost before profit. A 20% profit margin brings your price to $528. If you're charging $350, you're losing money on every mount while appearing to be in business.
For a free cost-calculation tool, see the taxidermy pricing calculator. For common mistakes in setting pricing, see the taxidermy shop pricing mistakes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula for calculating taxidermy prices?
The formula is: tannery cost + form cost + consumable materials + (labor hours x your target hourly rate) + overhead allocation per mount + profit margin = your price. Overhead allocation is calculated by dividing your monthly fixed costs (rent, utilities, insurance, software, marketing) by the number of mounts you complete per month. Each of these components should be calculated based on your actual costs, not estimated from memory. Most taxidermists who do this calculation for the first time discover they've been undercharging by 20-40%, because they've never accounted for overhead costs in their pricing.
How do I know if I'm undercharging for taxidermy work?
Do the cost-plus calculation for your most common species and compare the result to what you're actually charging. If your calculated cost plus a reasonable profit margin is higher than your current price, you're undercharging. Other signals include: working long hours without building savings, not being able to afford equipment upgrades or form orders, and not having reserves for slow months. If you set your prices by looking at what the cheapest shops in your area charge and staying competitive, you may be pricing to match someone who is also undercharging and barely surviving. Use the taxidermy pricing calculator to verify your numbers.
What is the right profit margin for a taxidermy shop?
A sustainable small service business typically targets 15-25% net profit margin after all costs including labor. For taxidermy, where work is skilled and the product is unique, 20% is a reasonable baseline target. This means if your all-in cost to produce a deer shoulder mount is $440, your price should be $528 or higher. Many established taxidermists with strong reputations operate at 25-30% margins because their skills and reputation command premium pricing in their market. If you're unable to achieve 15% margin in your current market at sustainable prices, either your costs need to be reduced or your market position needs to improve through reputation, specialization, or quality differentiation.
How should a taxidermist figure out the right price for their market?
Research three to five shops in your geographic area and get quotes on a standard deer shoulder mount. This gives you the regional range. Price your work based on your actual costs plus your target hourly rate, then see where that falls in the regional range. If your cost-based price is at the low end of the market, you may be underpricing relative to what the market will bear.
Should I raise prices if I am booked out for the entire season?
Yes. Being fully booked at your current price is a signal that you are underpricing. A price increase that reduces your intake by 10-15% while maintaining your revenue is more profitable than a sold-out season at below-market rates. Many taxidermists are reluctant to raise prices but remain at below-market rates for years as a result.
How do I handle price increases for returning customers?
Communicate proactively before season rather than surprising returning customers at intake. A brief notification to your customer list explaining that prices have adjusted, along with the new pricing, gives customers time to plan. Most loyal customers accept reasonable price increases when communicated professionally and with advance notice.
Related Articles
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- What Records Must Minnesota Taxidermists Keep for Deer?
- What Records Must North Carolina Taxidermists Keep for Deer?
- What Records Must Ohio Taxidermists Keep for Deer?
Try These Free Tools
Put these insights into practice with our free calculators and planners:
Sources
- National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics (labor cost benchmarks)
- Breakthrough Magazine
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
Get Started with MountChief
Pricing your work correctly is foundational to a sustainable taxidermy business. MountChief tracks your per-job revenue, materials, and pricing so you always have a clear picture of what each mount type is actually earning. Try MountChief to add financial clarity to your shop operations.