Custom Builds: The 'Going' Rate

Can anyone give me an idea on the going rate for custom creations? Things like color tinted skins, avatar horns, that sort of stuff?
I know that pretty generally, but I'm just looking for an idea....

Some folks are charging L$ 6k an hour for custom scripting. I would think that custom design would be similarly priced. In other words: it depends on what you need and how much effort it is.

I suggest that you write down as exact a specification of what you want as possible. Then you look for custom designers; some post here in the forum. Then you ask the ones you like for a price quote according to your specs.

There is no real "going rate" for anything in SL. It all comes down to what you and the creator agree on as a fair price. Creator fees can vary wildly depending on the complexity of the task and possibilities of resale of the final product.

Truly custom work (no resale) will cost more - frequently much more - because that creator has to charge RL hourly rates to make it worth their time. The most cost effective of all is finding something that is close to what you want and asking the creator if they would do a modification for a fee.

Most creators are very different. I know for the custom works I have been asked to do I hav charged way below most, but then it is becuase they have been items I have enjoyed the idea of doing. I ONLY take on custom works I like the idea of.

For example I did one guy a t shirt the other day for 100L (non exclusive though) cos well he was looking for one and it was a cute idea. I dont know if i will ever sell it but itwas a cute idea.

I have done custom jewellery from 2000L depending on the conplexity (exclusive designs).


To be hoenst i dont have set custom rates. It depends on the item, the complexity and how interested I am in the idea

when I've done custom designs/builds I have generally asked them to tip me, rather than set a fee, I have always receive more than I would have charged.

Bunni,

I can recommend an incredible custom builder if you're looking The value was unbelievable considering what they did for me, and the quality is absolutely amazing.

IM me inworld and I can show you what they did if you're interested.

As has been previously mentioned, there is no real established going rate on most services in Second Life (there is no effective means of comparison shopping services in Second Life).

I recommend you start by making your own budget of what the custom work is worth to you, and then searching for someone who fits into your budget.

There is a real disparity between the effort put into making Second Life content and the actual market value of the content. Good content creators in Second Life are almost universally (there may be expections) making far less per hour of work than they'd earn doing something similar in real life. In a lot of cases, earning far below what they would make bagging groceries.

And, if you search long enough, you can always find a good content creator who just does it as a hobby and is going to charge you just a token for work done.

When you're talking big money, you also have the problem of invoicing and enforcing contracts. If you hire someone hourly, how do you know whether the fill bill submitted to you is reasonable? (I wouldn't want to hire anyone hourly- I'd want to describe the project and get a price on completing the project.) After you pay your money, what do you do if the project isn't what you wanted (or you don't get it at all?) Suing will be too time-consuming and expensive to be a consideration. Spending a lot of money in Second Life is just risky.

So in the example of someone charging L$6000/hour for custom scripting: If you look at it form the point of view of the scriptor, that translates to $22.00 USD/hour - very cheap compared to what even an inexperienced computer programmer would make in real life. However, given the risks associated with the transaction, and the value to you since Second Life is a hobby- that's probably prohibitive (unless you have the business plan that makes money on the services).