Originally Posted by Ilsefa
Let's look at some numbers here.
T5 tools make each mithril bar worth about 76c at the PB. (I forget the actual value but that's close.) Mithril sheet units take 30 bars at full efficiency. That makes each T5 metal sheeting unit "worth" 2.28s to the fitter.
Mithril is relatively easy. With guards or simply following hunters in the nodes are abundant, guardian mobs produce worthwhile resources when mined. There are smelters nearby now (on Chaos at least) and a portal not far away. It's still no cake walk. If you don't find other folks who are hunting it can takea long time to sneak in and out with a diskful of ore.
I understand ironsilk is much harder, more guardian mobs which are not harvestable, resources are further from portals, towns and shops.
All essence work is tough, there simply aren't enough wisps in game meaning every building unit take much more time to collect the resources.
T4 resources are, in some cases, more difficult than T5. Cobalt... every fitting sheeting unit takes 30 iron bars -> 30 steel bars -> 30 cobalt bars; 40 bars for joining units. Cobalt is difficult to get to, no practical way to use the machines in the field, lots of porting or running through lvl 60+ golems to get to it. Obsidian is quite far from anything, difficult to get to, no chance of player owned stone shops in the area.
I expect T4 prices to settle around 2s and up, T5 prices 3s and up depending on difficulty of the particular resource and travel time. Prices for units delivered to plots distant will be higher than for plots close to easy ports. Rarity of crafters may work into it too. There are lots of T5 fitters and masons, fewer carps and many fewer enchanters and weavers. Wouldn't you take the job offering you more?