Another pricing question

[jeff43222]

Here's a basement (25' x 30') finish I just quoted:

Furnish/install 14 non-IC recessed cans w/trims: 10 to be connected to the existing switch at top of stairs, two new SP switches to control the other 4.

One fluorescent light recycled from HO and moved to unfinished furnace room. One new SP switch for this light.

11 general-use duplex receptacles. At least one needs GFCI protection.

1 laundry receptacle, needs GFCI protection.
1 dryer receptacle.
(laundry and dryer are near the panelboard)

I just called the HO and gave her my total price of $2600, including the $40 permit. She audibly gasped. She wants to talk it over with hubby.

For time I figured a total of 20 hours. I don't think my price is too high.

[ceknight]

I just called the HO and gave her my total price of $2600, including the $40 permit. She audibly gasped. She wants to talk it over with hubby.

Heavens, she might have fainted if you gave her my bid of $3065. :) :)

I hit the $2600 mark before adding the laundry circuits and the recycled fluorescent fixture...

[infinity]

Around here your price would be a little low. Having said that you number was more than fair. I like the price Chris gave better.

[tshea]

No matter what the price is, the HO will gasp. They have a very limited idea how much skilled trade work costs.

[77401]

$3720 all material & cans Furnished & Installed
When Can I start?

If she calls you back, or more like when, tell her you messed up & need another $300 but you'll split the diffference with her of $150.

I could milk the job for 10 hours if it makes her feel better.

I might be the most expensive EC in town, But I'm the best!

[jeff43222]

This is someone I've done two small jobs for previously. She's a friend of a friend. HO and hubby are both lawyers. One works for the PoCo, and the other is in private practice. Their house is much bigger and nicer than mine.

As for the job itself, the laundry receptacle/circuit already exists in EMT, but I have to move it a bit and re-feed the box with NM to accommodate the new walls (j-box is nearby). New dryer circuit/receptacle are needed. Laundry is located a few feet away from the panelboard, so total time for the laundry aspect of the job will be minor, about an hour at most.

For the cans, I selected the cheapest possible option at the supply house: $10.39 per can and $8.38 per baffle trim. Plus tax and markup, of course.

My gut feeling was that I was a tad low, but not by much.

[celtic]

T

For the cans, I selected the cheapest possible option at the supply house: $10.39 per can and $8.38 per baffle trim. Plus tax and markup, of course.


How about the lamps?
They aren't free...or are they ???

I just priced a similar job out..14 cans w/lamps and trims = $1750.

My total price would have been around $3500.

You negelected to inform of us of the panel situation....loaded up FPE crap or empty QO panel.

[satcom]

Quote: "10 to be connected to the existing switch"

Did you check that circuit, to be sure it would not overload the existing circuit.

It does seem that price is a bit low, did you mark-up you material to make some profit on it?

Yes they do gasp, and i bet their clients also gasp, when they get their statement for legal work.

Good thing they don't need a new roof, they would not gasp, they may stop breathing!

[jeff43222]

How about the lamps?
They aren't free...or are they ???

I just priced a similar job out..14 cans w/lamps and trims = $1750.

My total price would have been around $3500.

You negelected to inform of us of the panel situation....loaded up FPE crap or empty QO panel.

I included the lamps in my estimate.

Panel is a 30 space SqD HOM. Completely full. There's already a lightly-loaded circuit for just for the basement lights, as well as the laundry and dryer (which is upstairs). I'm still not sure what circuit(s) the receptacles will be on.

[celtic]

I'm still not sure what circuit(s) the receptacles will be on.



$3500 firm.

[iwire]

HO and hubby are both lawyers. One works for the PoCo, and the other is in private practice.

I have never run a business so take this for what it's worth.

I did not see anyone mention permits. With two lawyers I don't think I would take any short cuts they could hold against me.

Get everything in writing.

JMO,

[jeff43222]

I have never run a business so take this for what it's worth.

I did not see anyone mention permits. With two lawyers I don't think I would take any short cuts they could hold against me.

Get everything in writing.

JMO,

From my OP:

I just called the HO and gave her my total price of $2600, including the $40 permit.

I always pull permits when required. I have already explained the inspection process to the HO. I'm not concerned about them playing lawyer games with me. I've done work for them before, and they are reasonable people, not to mention friends of a good friend of mine.

[77401]

You never said Lawyers in a nicer house than mine.
$7420 now!
And I'd then use Lightolier Low volt.
Only the best for the Lawyers
Friends of a friend? THey aren't shoping bids... $7420 No Permit

[j_erickson]

If everything were straightforward, I'd be at $2235.00. Your numbers are right on for me. This would be based on working for one of my regular GC's. Working for homeowner I'd around 20%.

[jeff43222]

In this case, the HO has a remodeler who has done the framing and will be putting in the drop ceiling and drywall. I talked to him on the phone, and he seemed like he knew what he was doing. The framing looked pretty good.

The basement is currently framed in. Everything is pretty straightforward as far as the installation goes, so I don't expect much in the way of surprises. Famous last words... :D

[celtic]

If everything were straightforward, I'd be at $2235.00. Your numbers are right on for me. This would be based on working for one of my regular GC's. Working for homeowner I'd around 20%.

Why the difference in price from GC to HO?

[jeff43222]

Because 99% of HOs don't know what they are doing when they decide to manage their own remodeling project. They don't know how to schedule things, they don't know how to prep a jobsite, and they often don't know exactly what they want. All of this takes extra time on my part, so the HO gets to pay extra accordingly.

[celtic]

Because 99% of HOs don't know what they are doing when they decide to manage their own remodeling project. They don't know how to schedule things, they don't know how to prep a jobsite, and they often don't know exactly what they want. All of this takes extra time on my part, so the HO gets to pay extra accordingly.

...and the GC in turn adds 20% to the elctrical bill to the HO. Either way, the HO pays the same...but the GC gets 20% of your profits.

[GUNNING]

GC's ugh... 20% to pimp your wares.. ugh.

[celtic]

GC's ugh... 20% to pimp your wares.. ugh.

A little more colorful than my words...but, yes-exactly!

[bkludecke]

The HO likes you too. I can't bid your job, only you can. Let the HO know that in order for you to do the next job you have to make a profit on this one. Stand firm if you can or tell them to hire you t&m and let the chips fall where they may. Gasping is a polished art in the lawyer business so don't take it so seriously. Doctors are worse yet.

Bob on the left coast.

[larryl]

i came up with 2390.00 with permit fee.
with NO dimmers,and NO old work 3way-top & bottom of steps
if they gasp,they gasp,,what do you care,,
if you were 1000.00,, they would've gasped,,they dont have a clue,,to what stuff cost.
it is what it is,,

[j_erickson]

Celtic,

Dealing with the homeowner will add a lot of time and aggravation for me compared with dealing with one of my regular GC's.

John

[growler]

The price sounds fair to me. I think that you will earn your money by the time the job is completed. 20 hrs. is probably enough time to actually do the work but what of all the other time spent on the job. Lay-out when working with a homeowner. Time to purchase the fixtures and trim ( all materials ). Probably three trips to complete the job so that means you clean up three times. Who makes sure that the inspector has access to the job ( no GC )? Then there is the paper work and an extra trip to collect the last check. If you log all time spent on this job it will get a lot closer to 40 hrs. so you make about $50 an hr. before expenses. It get down to the fact that you are just making a living and not gougeing anyone. The point is that they will get a good job done by someone they can trust ( that's not always the cheapest guy in town ).

[jeff43222]

The hubby called me this morning. As I expected, they want me to go ahead and do the work, but they want to scale it back a bit to contain costs. They didn't bid shop or anything, and they aren't quibbling about what I'm charging them. They just said they need to keep the overall remodeling budget under control, and they have deleted a few of the lights to reduce costs a bit. We can't cut the receptacles, though, since I planned on code minimum for those.