Determining Budget Costs: Money, Time, and Sanity

How can you afford to make expensive-looking costumes without breaking the bank? This is one of those challenges I face with every project, but always make an effort to plan for and estimate. This is the method I use to plan and budget a project. 

Listing out Necessary Materials 

To start off, I make a list of materials. Correction...I actually will make multiple lists of materials because I'm often using the lists to compare methods, materials, and costs. But at the start, I make a list of what I need, the quantity of material I need, and a rough estimate of how much it will cost. 

To determine cost I often just use what comes up on a web search and round up. The point of the list is to estimate and use that estimate to make decisions on whether or not this is a thing I COULD make. 

While making a list if I run into a product that has a price range, I enter the low and high end. Such as if I buy a new pair of shoes versus a used pair of shoes. If I'm trying to decide between alternate materials, I'll list both, mark one as "alt". 

After listing, I tally the numbers. If I have alternative materials or price ranges, I consider what my lowest cost version would be and the highest. 

For the most part, I just use a text doc to make these lists but you could use an Excell style program to help with calculations. 

This is my "reality" check of how much this could cost and if it is something I can afford monetary-wise. And because I blog, I'll list things I already have so someone reading my blog can get an idea of cost "from scratch". In reality, I do have a lot of raw materials around from years of crafting. (It happens.)

Evaluate the Material List

After my draft list, I will go in and check what I have on hand and take it out of the cost list. This will give me MY possible total costs. I'll also do a bit more digging on prices and find the best for me costs. 

If I have multiple materials or a price range, I will often determine if I'm going with the more expensive item or the cheaper one. 

Also, if I'm not thrilled with the numbers but it is still something I want to do, I go back into research mode and try to find alternative methods and materials. Then I can come back and re-do the list.

Evaluate the Process

This information on pricing gives me decision power! But it's not the only means of evaluating what supplies to get. A big thing that will determine decisions is time and well...I'll call it "sanity". (Really, it's just more Design Principles.) 

For example: Is this something I am confident I can make myself? Is it something I'm willing to learn? Is it SAFE for me to make this at home? Is this something I want to make myself? Do I want to spend time making it or can I purchase it pre-made? Is it worth hiring someone else to make it? 

The time factor really comes into play if there is a deadline. It's also helpful if you ever decide to make a business out of making costumes or costume accessories. Getting supplies can take a long time if you pace out your spending on materials. 

Personally, I often don't really take time into consideration because I rarely have a deadline. But it is something I'm starting to somewhat track as I consider possible business opportunities. 

Hidden Costs

The downside of the budget list or material list is that it does not account for the entire cost of the project. Most of us do not account for mistakes that lead to buying replacement materials or a tool breaking.  Although if it is something new to you and you are learning a new skill, practice material is important to factor into the budget. It is also important to keep up with tool maintenance and notice if things need cleaning, fixing, or replacing. 

In my project budget, I do not account for the purchase of any new tools. Most often tools are part of a "general costume" budget. This is because tools are an investment in future projects it has a whole different process. 

I actually made YouTube videos about purchasing a big, expensive sewing machine back in the day. 

Example: Hoof Boots

The inspiration for this post was due to my research on how to make hoof boots, like these: 

Creature Feet by ChaosCostumes

I was using a budget list to determine if it was worth purchasing these professionally made boots or if I could make them myself for less. I created three lists: Cost on Etsy, Following a Tutorial Book, and a hybrid method I came up with based on comparing tutorials and my own talents. 

Currently, the boots pictured above are $285 (USD).  However other sellers sell more basic versions for about $175 - $200 (USD)

Materials for the method in the Tutorial book ranged from $122 - $180 (USD)

My Hybrid Method cost about $95 - $100 (USD)

With these price ranges, I go through some evaluation questions such as: 

• This would be my first time casting with a silicone mold. Should I account for mistakes?
• Where the heck am I going to get shoes my size with tall enough heels? (The woes of having child-sized feet.)
• How often will I wear them? What event? Is it worth spending so much on them?
• Should I go with faux fur that I shave or stretch velvet?
• Should I skip casting resin and get pre-made resin hooves? (People do sell them!)
• Is it worth looking into improving my method and seeing if it is viable for selling? (Improving a method requires making multiple versions and finding the best result which can cost a lot. It's worth building on others' experiences but in the end, only your experience will matter.)

It was a thought experiment but I may end up making these boots eventually. It's fun for me to think about at least. As of now, I haven't landed on an answer of how I will acquire these boots. Stay tuned and someday I may post more about this project that simmers on the backburner.