Just wondering the different ways you guys estimate and bid jobs. By the opening, Sq Ft, or other means. I am just starting to get away from T&M and need to bid some projects. What are some of the prices that you use (I know location varies this price). Let me know where you are from. Thanks
How to estimate?
- Thread starter eswets
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william runkle
Senior Member
- Location
- Michigan
Re: How to estimate?
You have it all in front of you if you do time and material. You know how long it takes you to do the task, and you know the material cost. So you yourself are the best to figure out how to bid. Remember because someone does it one way it might not be right for you.
You have it all in front of you if you do time and material. You know how long it takes you to do the task, and you know the material cost. So you yourself are the best to figure out how to bid. Remember because someone does it one way it might not be right for you.
Re: How to estimate?
If you have a plan take it off send out the packages for pricing (Remember there is always room in bid numbers vs buy numbers... always sometimes the pit is bottomless.) I made up 400K on a recent bid. No Lie!!!
As far as unit costs what we do typically is apply labor and material to each item. Our labor number includes mark up in it then the material it takes to do one receptacle I've spent sometime when I had down time and worked out receptacles and switches to my lowest possible cost.
You have to have a good system, then you have to have competent people to perform what you bid or do it yourself. Really that's the key it doesn't matter what/how you bid if you can't get it done in the time you have allowed.
If you have a plan take it off send out the packages for pricing (Remember there is always room in bid numbers vs buy numbers... always sometimes the pit is bottomless.) I made up 400K on a recent bid. No Lie!!!
As far as unit costs what we do typically is apply labor and material to each item. Our labor number includes mark up in it then the material it takes to do one receptacle I've spent sometime when I had down time and worked out receptacles and switches to my lowest possible cost.
You have to have a good system, then you have to have competent people to perform what you bid or do it yourself. Really that's the key it doesn't matter what/how you bid if you can't get it done in the time you have allowed.
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Re: How to estimate?
I use a dart board, have done it this way for 18 yeaars and it works.
PS I'm lousy at darts.
I use a dart board, have done it this way for 18 yeaars and it works.
PS I'm lousy at darts.
Re: How to estimate?
The best way is to count every thing up, measure all the pipe and wire (Read the specs too) and put together a "Quantitative take-off and apply your labor hours, rates, material dollars and overhead and profit. Then!!! roll the dice.
The key is to identify your "true Cost" then your mark-ups.
Dartboards are "Overrated"
The best way is to count every thing up, measure all the pipe and wire (Read the specs too) and put together a "Quantitative take-off and apply your labor hours, rates, material dollars and overhead and profit. Then!!! roll the dice.
The key is to identify your "true Cost" then your mark-ups.
Dartboards are "Overrated"
keithinvally
Member
Re: How to estimate?
I have used the national estimator and it is basic, but it works. NECA's manual of labor units is how I learned to estimate. the principle is easy, find out how much of a certain material you have and attach a labor unit to it. For example; 100 feet of 1/2" Emt should take a journeyman 3.5 hours to install. But this includes unloading from a truck, carrying it to where he is working, number of bends, offsets etc. actual hands on may only be 2.5 hours.
Another thing to consider are the job conditions. Are you working in a prison where a CO has to follow your every move, it takes 45 minutes a day to enter and exit the facility, certain times a day they may have movement when your workers must stay where they are.
Estimating takes practice, but once you develope a system and a rythm, its fun.
I have used the national estimator and it is basic, but it works. NECA's manual of labor units is how I learned to estimate. the principle is easy, find out how much of a certain material you have and attach a labor unit to it. For example; 100 feet of 1/2" Emt should take a journeyman 3.5 hours to install. But this includes unloading from a truck, carrying it to where he is working, number of bends, offsets etc. actual hands on may only be 2.5 hours.
Another thing to consider are the job conditions. Are you working in a prison where a CO has to follow your every move, it takes 45 minutes a day to enter and exit the facility, certain times a day they may have movement when your workers must stay where they are.
Estimating takes practice, but once you develope a system and a rythm, its fun.
keithinvally
Member
Re: How to estimate?
Also a very important thing to remenber is to READ the Specs. They will tell you what material is allowed. Failure to read the specs may get you the job, but it could make the job a loser.
Also a very important thing to remenber is to READ the Specs. They will tell you what material is allowed. Failure to read the specs may get you the job, but it could make the job a loser.
Re: How to estimate?
I no longer contract, but a few of the things that I remember well are because of the "pain" attached to the learning curve.
I suggest start small with bids until you can estimate actual time it takes for YOU. If you can compare to an estimating system after that, it will give you a real handle on estimating time.
The last ten percent of the job takes fifty percent of the time.
in today's mkt, get written material estimates. I trusted a supplier for the quote and went to purchase a few days later, twice the price. It was a mile of #2 thhn. Found a broker that would let me pick up at shipping hub, recouped cost.
The good lessons are the ones that don't break you.
Job conditions like height, poorly organized general cont., hazards, distant parts supplier, travel, job access, co-ordinating jobs, getting paid problems, estimating payments in contract, lost and broken tools.
Find a friendly contractor to do mutual aide.
If you are up and gone by 6am and done by 8pm (calls, books, truck, tools etc) that is still 14 hours for an 8 hr day. Keep that in mind when bidding.
enough from me, no knees paul
I no longer contract, but a few of the things that I remember well are because of the "pain" attached to the learning curve.
I suggest start small with bids until you can estimate actual time it takes for YOU. If you can compare to an estimating system after that, it will give you a real handle on estimating time.
The last ten percent of the job takes fifty percent of the time.
in today's mkt, get written material estimates. I trusted a supplier for the quote and went to purchase a few days later, twice the price. It was a mile of #2 thhn. Found a broker that would let me pick up at shipping hub, recouped cost.
The good lessons are the ones that don't break you.
Job conditions like height, poorly organized general cont., hazards, distant parts supplier, travel, job access, co-ordinating jobs, getting paid problems, estimating payments in contract, lost and broken tools.
Find a friendly contractor to do mutual aide.
If you are up and gone by
6am and done by 8pm (calls, books, truck, tools etc) that is still 14 hours for an 8 hr day. Keep that in mind when bidding.enough from me, no knees paul
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