How much does it cost to engrave?

[mrs-b]

I had something engraved the other day - it was the initials of 2 first names (eg A + B) - and a date (eg 1/1/2019).

I was billed $45.

Does that seem excessive to you or is that normal?

 

[EC8]

Was it hand or machine engraved?

 

[mrs-b]

I'm assuming hand.

 

[EC8]

Seems reasonable, but my only current reference point is the engraving on the shoulders of my Ering.

 

[mrs-b]

I'll take your word on this, @EC8 - and thank you! It's decades since I had something engraved and I have zero idea how much it costs these days!

 

[Karl_K]

Seems about right the 1/2 hour min. charge at $90 an hour.

 

[mrs-b]

Seems about right the 1/2 hour min. charge at $90 an hour.

Wow - that's sure gone up!

Thank you for the info!

 

[Karl_K]

Wow - that's sure gone up!

Thank you for the info!

These days a tradesman has to bill in that range to make a reasonable salary and if he/she has employees even more so.
Which is why you find a lot of things billed in that range or more in some locations with high costs of living.
The 1/2 hour min is because every job has the same administration and business asset overhead costs even if it takes 5min.

 

[sledge]

When we were looking at men's wedding bands it seemed it cost about $25 to engrave. I'm assuming it's cheaper as you are buying a ring. So I would guess $45 for a stand alone service is fair.

Of course, I can remember my grandmother whipping out her own engraver for many things. She's passed now but I can still see her handwriting. We had some metal Christmas ornaments growing up that she would write our name, year, etc on them.

If you have a steady hand....$7.99

https://www.harborfreight.com/electric-engraver-46099.html

 

[Dcrafty1]

O
Along the same lines. My er wasn’t engraved. After we’re married , I was hoping to put our initials and wedding date on the bands and just our engagement date on the er. I was wondering if we needed a jeweler to do this or can any engraving place do it. I mean will the rings be harmed in anyway. I’d hate to keep sending our rings back to Whiteflash.

 

[bespokecarmel]

I just asked about having a band hand engraved this week. I was quoted $150 per hour.

 

[denverappraiser]

$45 is cheap. Hand engraving is a terribly specialized skill and fewer and fewer people are learning it. You're doing business with the last Iceman and he/she can charge what they want. Be happy you found someone who could do it at all. Have you hired a plumber lately?

 

[mrs-b]

$45 is cheap. Hand engraving is a terribly specialized skill and fewer and fewer people are learning it. You're doing business with the last Iceman and he/she can charge what they want. Be happy you found someone who could do it at all. Have you hired a plumber lately?

Did I sound unhappy? if so, it wasn't intentional. It was just meant to be an inquiry, not a complaint. As I said, it's a loooong time since I had anything engraved, so I had no idea, tho I'm clearly getting an education on the topic now.

My family is full of doctors on my side and lawyers on my husband's. As I've OFTEN said - could nobody have married something useful - like a plumber? I'd have settled for a dentist. One more pediatrician, I don't need!

 

[mrs-b]

Thank you for getting back to me, one and all. Useful info.