In general...
-Things cost different prices in different areas of the country. For example, you may have higher overhead in a large city - rent, may take longer to get from here to there due to traffic, parking fees, wages for hired help, insurance, etc. A more rural area or other parts of the country may have lower overhead. So check out what your local competition is charging.
-How far away is the job? Charge more for more distant work. May want to set up "zones" for your area. Closest zone is least expensive, etc.
-What materials/parts are required? Mark-up and charge for all materials/parts used. Have a set mark-up percentage. Then you are making a profit on all parts/materials used. (Before quoting a price, be sure to check with your vendors for the latest price of materials needed.)
-Labor. What is your time worth? Set an hourly rate for yourself. Then depending on how much time you will spend on the work including travel, set your rates accordingly. Need to hire someone to help you (move a table, etc.)? What will this person cost per hour? Mark-up your charge for that as well.
-How much work is involved? Is it just recovering a table or does the table need other work as well? How much time will the additional work require and what additional parts/materials will be needed?
-Moving a table - Charge more for going up stairs. Charge based on distance of move. If more table disassembly will be required to get the table through a hallway or whatever, factor in the additional time.
-Then with all of the above taken into consideration, thouroughly check out the table(s) needing work to determine what work they will need, then make a quote based on that. Tell your customer that the quote will not include additional repairs for whatever problems might be found when the table is disassembled, but if additional problems with the table are found, you will give them a quote for the additional work before proceeding.
-Do it right or don't do it at all. The work will have "your name" on it. Don't let cheap customers force you to do less than your best quality work. Once you get a reputation for doing quality work, you will get more business and be able to charge higher rates.
