Gunsmith License requirements and prices for sercices

[Holiday]

Greetings!  This is a two-part question.I am considering opening a refinishing business here in the north Alabama area. Presently I intend to work with my local dealer under his FFL. Eventually I want to go it on my own, though. What type of license do I need? Is a standard FFl needed for a Gunsmithing business?

Question two involves pricing. I intend to offer bluing and one of the spray-on finishes I have experiance with. What are the average prices for these services. I want to be fair, but to be honest, no one around here blues firearms anymore. The prices I have seen on the internet are outrageous, but some prices I have mentioned with friends seem to scare them off. Any information will be appreciated!

[Double D]

You will need a standard dealers FFL license.  Go to  the ATF website for information on application and cost.

When a Gunsmith charges you $95 to $145 for a bead blast finish, that money doesn't go in his pocket to take home. You may not think prices are all that outrageous when you try keep up with overhead and earn a living wage.  Things like rent, utilities, insurances, licenses, supplies and equipment that must be bought maintained and replaced.  Then you have to pay yourself.  Start adding all those things up and guess what, the price isn't outrageous from the gunsmiths side.

Of course with experience the quality of your work increases along with your reputation and you can charge more accordingly.  Just like in real life the journeyman earns more than the apprentice.

Here is the link to Brownell's shop rates survey http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/miscellaneous/shoppricesurvey.pdf

[Holiday]

Thanks! Yeah, I know from the work involved in doing a spray -on finish for several friends and some of my own firearms that the labor and expences verses the actual money made seemed to be a narrow margin. I just really didn't know what a fair starting price would be. I read the Brownells prices. My business partner, the one with the FFL, told me his last guy charged $40 for a hot blue. I told him that was too cheap to even consider!! Of coaurse, his last man is now out of business. Could explain a lot. Again, thanks.