Square foot costs

[celtic]

Celtic are you selling wirenuts @ $2.67 each?

From the pic above (albeit an outdated one)...I'm selling a wirenut for $1.00 - INSTALLED

That $8.93 BR30 is a comparative bargain!

INSTALLED!


...the pic is old.

 

[iwire]

From the pic above (albeit an outdated one)...I'm selling a wirenut for $1.00 - INSTALLED

Yeah I figured that out after I posted, $2.67 part and labor.

 

[celtic]

Actually, you ARE right (what else is new...LOL)...ONE wirenut, installed for $2.67

 

[satcom]

Yeah I figured that out after I posted, $2.67 part and labor.

We will have you ready to start your own contracting business, as soon as you graduate the Celtic school of estimating, only school to offer estimating courses, with wind correction factors.

 

[celtic]

We will have you ready to start your own contracting business, as soon as you graduate the Celtic school of estimating, only school to offer estimating courses, with wind correction factors.

LMAO


You saw that?

 

[Rockyd]

Celtic,


Hey, now that your going to get rich with that new "Estimating the Celtic Way" taught at Phonix University, don't forget your friends back here at the forum....


Congrats on your newfound financial breakout

 

[frank_n]

My Unit Pricing

My Unit Pricing

I am bidding on a remodel job. The first floor is gutted, the second floor will be new. These are the prices I am charging.

What do you think?

 

[celtic]

I am bidding on a remodel job. The first floor is gutted, the second floor will be new. These are the prices I am charging.

What do you think?

I think you stole that from me


Great job Frank!

Compliled the numbers using TNE?

EDIT TO ADD:

 

[celtic]

Celtic,


Hey, now that your going to get rich with that new "Estimating the Celtic Way" taught at Phonix University, don't forget your friends back here at the forum....


Congrats on your newfound financial breakout

Thank You!

At this stage in the process, donations are still being accepted.
PM me and I'll give you the details on how to make a contribution to my PayPal account

 

[celtic]

What do you think?

I think you may want to check my numbers against yours ....we probably have the same demographics for pricing.

 

[frank_n]

I think you stole that from me


Great job Frank!

Compliled the numbers using TNE?

Yes. I learned from the master! I give credit where credit is due.

I started this part-time business in 2005. I work as a teacher during the day, and run my business on weekends, evenings and summers. I had my doubts whether this business would be worth my time because it would be hard to pay my expenses with my limited income. I have found that overhead is fairly low because I don't need health insurance or a retirement plan. I think this offsets the money I make from my limited hours. I am working with a GC who I treat like gold. When he needs me, I stop what I'm doing and show up. I just hired a helper, added payroll to Quickbooks, and worker's comp to my insurance. I know I am going to have to work more hours now, but I think I am going to be all right.

I have learned so much from this board.

THANK YOU,
Frank

 

[celtic]

Yes. I learned from the master! I give credit where credit is due.

No credit due me....I only spew words on some board in the la-la of the internet...it's up to YOU to verify the words and act on them. YOU get the credit for doing...and doing it right

I have found that overhead is fairly low because I don't need health insurance or a retirement plan.

Be that as it may...I hope your rate reflects the cost *should* you needing those items.
You never know....you may out grow that teaching gig or decide you just enough of the brats (LOL, my wife is a teacher so I know ) or realize that you make more working for yourself...whatever the reason....point is: If you don't include those costs (real or percieved), when - and if - the comes to officially change hats...will you be marketable?


As always..if you need something, PM or email me.

EDIT:
lots of typos and missing words above ....opps.

 

[SmithBuilt]

Celtic I've seen your spreadsheet in other topics. Did you write it yourself?

Very well done. Please feel free to post more info/pics. That is if you don't mind us using your ideas.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[JohnConnolly]

Say we do it your way...bare bones sq.ft ....how will you arrive at numbers for the extras?

...

Same way you do but charge 189 per can (and use halogen lamps

and then when they want to remove something from the bare bones?

You can't remove from bare bones. You are going to have x outlets per square foot, x lights/switches, all your appliances etc and your service.

I don't get it....why are some people so afraid of doing things the easy way?

I am the laziest guy you'd ever want to meet. I am actually making it easier. Instead of factoring in every device I am calculating how many devices/circuits per sq ft.

 

[celtic]

Celtic I've seen your spreadsheet in other topics. Did you write it yourself?

Very well done. Please feel free to post more info/pics. That is if you don't mind us using your ideas.

Thanks,
Tim

Can I be Frank with you?
I stole it!
(Sorry Frank N )

Not all of it...but the general idea.
I had a thought about making one a few years back, but didn't have the skills required to harness the power of Excel.
Now I have mad skills !

On another board I frequent, there was this crazy bastrad from California that had the original spreadsheet. I thought it lacked in some areas. So I modified it to the point of no return.

I took his basic idea, my mad skills, a blender with ice and alcohol, countless hours and created my mastersheet.

For years I did the sq.ft method (upgraded to cubic foot pricing as of today's latest rumor)....
then applied some numbers I literally made up....
then finally bought the cheapest of cheap estimating programs ~ The National Electrical Estimator (TNE, for short...$33@amazon)....
then went EVEN cheaper ~ Home Depot Worksite CD(FREE...but NOT available anymore inspite of what some may tell you).
All these methods still lacked a certain something...options.
I got sick of counting every dam inch of wire...every single strap, staple and wirenut...and said bad words in front of the kids that made the Mrs. very angry.

That's where the nut from Cali. came into the picture. ....just in the nick of time, too. I was about to spend tens of dollars on a "real" estimating program. I didn't do that. I created my mastersheet using his basic ideas.

here are some more screen shots:

 

[celtic]

...

Same way you do but charge 189 per can (and use halogen lamps

But that is not the same way, grasshopper ...i also know how much "other stuff" I need..like wire and such.
(BTW, the prices reflected in the pics are OUTDATED and do not reflect today's pricing)

You can't remove from bare bones. You are going to have x outlets per square foot, x lights/switches, all your appliances etc and your service.

if I have a room that has all sorts of small walls, less than that 2' rule....sq.ft pricing just left the building.


How many lights will you have in a bedroom that is 15x15 using sq.ft bare bones pricing?
I say 0.

When the customer says, I'd like 6 HH and a CF....you are back to counting on your fingers and toes...w/o ever knowing if the price you have makes a profit....

How many switches will you have on a long hallway?
How do you price items like DW, GD, GDO, etc?
They are not sq. ft items.
Either you have generated figures for these items or you "guessed".
If you generate, you did a take-off....if you "guessed", you're guessing that you will be in business for the long haul.

How does sq.ft pricing reflect the turmoil in the commidties market...ie copper?

I am the laziest guy you'd ever want to meet. I am actually making it easier. Instead of factoring in every device I am calculating how many devices/circuits per sq ft.

I am the laziest guy ANYONE will ever meet! (LOL)
A lazy guy will find the easiest way to get something done...I'm not just talking about a dollar sign here - I take it ALL into account:
Materials and mark-up
Taxes
labor rates
etc etc etc

All from simply counting the items and generating not only a price - but a shopping list ....now that's lazy!
LOL

 

[JohnConnolly]

..i also know how much "other stuff" I need..like wire and such.

The wire you used on the last 1800 foot house should be an indicator on the next 1800 footer

if I have a room that has all sorts of small walls, less than that 2' rule....sq.ft pricing just left the building.

I was assuming that the sq ft pricing question was for standard housing

How many lights will you have in a bedroom that is 15x15 using sq.ft bare bones pricing?
I say 0.

I wouldn't wire a house without an overhead source and a 3wire supplying it.

When the customer says, I'd like 6 HH and a CF....you are back to counting on your fingers and toes...w/o ever knowing if the price you have makes a profit....

I'd take 6x189 plus 149 and tell the customer to furnish the CF.
How many switches will you have on a long hallway?

How do you price items like DW, GD, GDO, etc?
They are not sq. ft items.

I see where we are going. a 1200 foot house has these things and a 2400 foot house doesn't have two of these things.

Eh...I still think I could come up with an accurate sq ft price residential.

Either you have generated figures for these items or you "guessed".

I always guess high

How does sq.ft pricing reflect the turmoil in the commidties market...ie copper?

Mark it up (never down) an appropriate percentage?

I am the laziest guy ANYONE will ever meet! (LOL)
...

I sense a challenge here but I'm to lazy to debate you so you can have the title

 

[ItsHot]

pricing

pricing

If you start "cookie cutting" your pricing your bound to "cut" your cookie!!

 

[celtic]

Eh...I still think I could come up with an accurate sq ft price residential.

I think a friendly "game" is in order here.

We'll need a third (maybe even fourth) party to play this game.
We'll get the 3rd to submit a sq.ft to you and a take-off to me via the PM system.
The plan will have to have been from a job that was already awarded...completed would be best.
You and I will mix our magic and see who comes closest to the actual final price.

Of course this "game" is NOT accurate...you will be using your normal numbers, I will be using mine and the 3rd will have used theirs - all resulting in a margin of error.
I think it's "do-able" even with the obvious errors that may occur.

What do you think?

I sense a challenge here but I'm to lazy to debate you so you can have the title

LMAO

 

[JohnConnolly]

What do you think?

Only if Sparky Joe is the 3rd party



Actually that game sounds like too much work for very little money.

How about you send me your bids on the last 10 (normal) residential jobs, along with the sq footage and I'll come up with a price on your next one based on the square footage.

You can then tell me how far I'm off