How would you handle this?

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jm1470

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I started my own electrical contracting business a couple of months ago, I finally got all of my paperwork back from the great state of new jersey. I still work for another electrician until I get my business going. I was talking to a kitchen guy the other day and he ask me how much I charge for kitchens. I guess he wanted a flat price. I told him I can't give him a flat price cause every kitchen is different and would need to look at it first. He said that is bull and ask why I couldn't give him a flat price. Was I wrong do other guys have flat prices for kitchens.
 
You are 100% right. You can't flat rate entire kitchens. The prices, job specs and conditions vary widely.
 
jm1470 said:
I started my own electrical contracting business a couple of months ago, I finally got all of my paperwork back from the great state of new jersey. I still work for another electrician until I get my business going. I was talking to a kitchen guy the other day and he ask me how much I charge for kitchens. I guess he wanted a flat price. I told him I can't give him a flat price cause every kitchen is different and would need to look at it first. He said that is bull and ask why I couldn't give him a flat price. Was I wrong do other guys have flat prices for kitchens.
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There's no problem giving a flat-rate price for what's in the kitchen; the only thing I have to see before pricing is the service.
 
I would not flat price a kitchen either. There are too many variables. I have wired kitchens for a few hundred dollars and also wired kitchens for 10-15thousand.
 
jm1470 said:
I told him I can't give him a flat price cause every kitchen is different and would need to look at it first. He said that is bull and ask why I couldn't give him a flat price. Was I wrong do other guys have flat prices for kitchens.
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No flat rate price for kitchens anywhere. It's called a bid with options for extras as change orders. Ask him to show you the plans and the house and you will give a confirmed bid price.

What he may have wanted was a list price for fixtures, switches, receptacles, disposals and so forth. Don't give it to him. It doesn't work well on remodeling type jobs . Bid each and every job.
 
He wants you to give him a "flat-rate" so that, he could come back and add more items for you to do for the same flat rate?.He thinks, he is the smartest!
 
First of all, was the kitchen guy your employers client?

If so, walk away. Kharma's a bear.


If not, tell him that you could give him a price if you knew how many circuits to add, how many cans and what the access/available space at the panel was like.

I do a lot of kitchens and a one price fits all is not going to happen. Sometimes it is as simple as rerouting some wiring and relocating a few outlets. Sometimes they add a double oven, cans, UC lighting with LV dimmers/transformers etc. Sometimes the panel is stuffed full and on the other end of the house with no attic or crawl space.
 
If this guy seriously doesnt understand why you need some specifics for a price, than he is probably a fly-by-nighter, why would he resist you wanting to look at the job for a price? ultimatly he needs a number, why does he care how you come up with it? what is he hiding?
 
I forgot to answer the original question as to what would I do.... I would pass, his request for a flat price and resistence to wanting you to look at the job sends up a red flag to me...
 
If you are doing 10 of say, the exact same fast food restaurant, then yeah. Otherwise, I have never seen 2 kitchens that are alike. That guy is a 2 beers short of a six pack.
 
If this is the way the guy operates I wouldn't want to work for him in the first place.
 
I think he uses another electrician and wants to find a better price, or wants to use my price. I hate to turn work away but I don't think I want to work for him. Thanks for all of the replys
 
jm1470 said:
I started my own electrical contracting business a couple of months ago, I finally got all of my paperwork back from the great state of new jersey. I still work for another electrician until I get my business going. I was talking to a kitchen guy the other day and he ask me how much I charge for kitchens. I guess he wanted a flat price. I told him I can't give him a flat price cause every kitchen is different and would need to look at it first. He said that is bull and ask why I couldn't give him a flat price. Was I wrong do other guys have flat prices for kitchens.
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OK, you gotta start somewhere.
Take the ride.
Go for something like 200 per outlet with all surface mounted fixtures supplied by the owner.
Also consider square footing the kitchen something like $30 per Square Foot

Also consider that you might get a kitchen job and pick up other work on the site.
Dont work cheap, make sure you front load your jobs, always stay ahead of the GC with the money and tell him of your intentions.
Keep up with changes. Become the best change order guy in the business.
You will get more pay and respect if you stand your ground.
Keep a daily log including time, who was on site, weather and activities.
I have worked for GCs and ended up running the job as far as schedule and pushing the project.
Best wishes, Work hard, get dirty and have fun. Most of all make lots of money!!
 
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