Earlier this year I developed a model race car that I had produced in 1/25 scale resin (after getting 3d masters printed). I spent 6 weeks developing the model working anywhere from 1-5 hours a day on it - probably 100-150 hours into it (didn’t track since I was doing it for myself). A diecast model car company that I work with (developing artwork, not models) wants to buy my 3d model for 1/18 scale production. I know the model can be of great assistance to them, but it’s not ‘ready to use’ for their use. For one, it was set up with simple resin casting in mind. It was also set up for 1/25 scale model kit assembly - so some minor details were sacrificed for buildability. There are also minor inaccuracies that either were correctable on the 3d master, or minor enough to not be noticeable in 1/25 scale, but would need to be fixed in 1/18 scale. Bottom line - if I was doing this car from scratch for them - I would have done it MUCH differently. They are aware of these issues and still want me to ‘give them a price’. We are probably looking at production of 500 units with price in the $200 range. They had been working on this same car for 3 years now and they are nowhere near close as it is a very unusually complex shape to get right, and I managed to get it about 99% right. Any suggestions on what I should charge them would be appreciated.
Hi Michael,
Why not ask them what they like to pay for it?
Sorry for the blunt answer, but that would be my initial setup for negotiations.
With a first offer from their side you can decide if it’s worth it for you.
You need to keep in mind that with the sale it might be you waive your rights to the model as well.
-Willem
They specifically asked me for a price, but asking them to ‘make an offer’ is certainly on the table. No issue with rights - I’ve been working with them for years and it’s never been a problem keeping rights to the art I supply them.
What do you value an hour of your time+skill worth? To get this number more precise, you can google an industry average for what you do.
It’s not that simple. My time went into it for a different project which is paying dividends. The model in question would be used for something it wasn’t designed for. Would it help them? Yes. Will it be the same as if I sat down and did one from scratch for them? Not even close. Plus I am also a vendor for this company and I also make returns selling the finished product.
Then talk to them as Willem suggested. Maybe give them your price range and see if they agree to it. I think that’s totally fine.
We reached a very equitable arrangement 
Someone who’s had some business success told me that you should never be the first to state the price. Always let the other state what he thinks it’s worth. If he states more than you expected, you accept happily; if less, you tell him that he’s much too low and give your reasons only then. Just an idea.
That’s pretty much how it went.
So tell us how much you agreed on?