Chop Moulding (Custom Cut) vs Length

This guide helps answer the basic questions around when should someone buy chop moulding (custom cut) vs length?  It is a basic assumption that if a customer does not have the right tools for cutting moulding, that they should but it precut.  However if a customer owns a cutting system (chopper or mitre saw set up), when would it make sense to buy a chop?

The freight factor: 

If you are buying moulding for one frame, freight can help determine if chop is better than length. 

• For example, if you are making a 54in x 44in frame of a 2 inch moulding, you would need to buy at least a 62inch length to be able to cut a 54in side of the frame (54inches inside measurement plus 2 inches on each side extra to account for the moulding width=58inches plus at least 2 inches of moulding play on each side would require 62 inches).  That means that your shipment for UPS just went into OS1 category.  If you assume a shipment from Atlanta, GA to Charlotte, NC the extra size would cost you an extra $10 in freight ($6 for the chop vs $16 for the length).  This delta only gets larger as the distance increases.  This assumes you have them cut the 8ft sticks down to 62 inches or so, as shipping 8ft sticks would cost $50+ more which makes the case for a chop even stronger.
• So freight costs you $10 more in this case.

Size Matters-How many sticks does the chop require?

• For example if we assume the same size frame as above and assume 8ft parent sticks, you would need to buy 3 sticks of moulding.  (Guide: Calculate Moulding Needed to Frame a Picture) or 24 ft.  You only need about 18ft but because of the frame size you can only get one 54inch side from each 8ft stick and then you need an additional 8ft stick to get both 44in sides.  And that is even cutting it very close. 
• If you buy this in chop you would need to pay for 18ft of chop moulding. 
• If we assume the moulding costs $1 a foot for length and $2 a foot for chop, that means your cost would be:
• Length-24ft = $24 plus $16 shipping equals $40 (plus labor for you to cut it and join and the risk of an error)
• Chop-18ft=$36 plus $6 shipping equals $42 (only labor to join). 
• For $2 difference it makes sense to just buy the chop.  Few shops end up using the left over moulding from a job of this type. 

Other considerations-

• How hard to cut or chop is the moulding you are looking to use?  Some moulding finishes can be very tricky and a slightly dull chopper or mitre saw may not work.  The finish may be prone to chipping or tearing (leather or cloth cover), or the type of moulding like a shadow box or floater may have its own unique cutting requirements.  The trickier the cutting is the more likely a chop makes sense.
• In the example above if you commit an error cutting the long (54in) side it means you have to buy another 8ft stick and pay another oversize charge ($8 in moulding plus $16 in shipping) a $24 mistake.  And that is for a relatively cheap moulding.
• How expensive is the moulding?  Some mouldings costs $10+ a foot.  If the moulding is very expensive an error on your end is obviously very costly, whereas if you buy a chop, you are guaranteed a good job at a fixed cost.  Even if it is more expensive than you cutting it, the risk offset may be worth it.  For example if you can buy the moulding to chop a frame for $300 vs a $400 chop, the $100 savings may not be worth it once you factor in your labor and the chance that a single error on a cut can result in an additional $50 moulding purchase to rectify the error of one mistake in cutting.  And that is not mentioning it could take an extra 2-3 days to finish the job, upsetting the end customer. 

Just because you have the equipment to do it yourself does not mean you should not order chop.  Be sure to look at all the angles and do what makes sense for each individual job.