Tall ceiling light fixtures

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bobbyho

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Central Connecticut
What would you typically charge for a chandelier replacement in a 20foot ceiling. I figure I need 2 people to get my 16' ladder on the truck, through a series of turns and eventually carefully opened up in a kitchen over a granite island where the chandelier hangs. This is probably a good half day for 2 people,therefore it is an expensive job. Probably more than any homeowner will ever expect. ANy thoughts would be appreciated. I really have thought about selling my 16footer and just not doing these anymore.
 
we would be at about $850 for that. And that is light. How heavy is the fixture? Box rated for it?

Figure in all your time from the shop (getting the ladder) to the job and back (drop off the ladder)

Don't forget to account for any damage to the wall, floor or counter top that you may cause and need to fix.

Plus, you'll probably need a second ladder set up for your helper to hold the fixture while you install the canopy.

I'd look to sell here on a chandelier(sp?) lift and explain to here what it will take otherwise to change lamps and clean the fixture.

Oh, and don't forget the dimmer (if there is one, make sure it's large enough for the new fixture- otherwise sell her one.)

Don't worry about what homeowners expect. they don't know what to expect other than to think that we should work for $50/hr and only bill for the exact minutes that we are in their house.

Even if you did bill $70/hr/man - you get $140*5=$700.
Add in equipment fees (ladder will need to be replaced at some time) and aggrevation. And you are at $850.

Keep the ladder, charge the right price and make money. You own the ladder, it doesn't eat much, let it sit in the corner until you find a customer that will pay your price. Do the job, make money, then put the ladder back in the corner.

Good luck.

EDIT: Ironically, this morning I had to go look at a customer's house who wants to install 2 light fixture in 2 different rooms on 18 ft ceilings. I quoted a total price of $1600 to install the fixtures, a medallion on one and 2- 1000W dimmers. I don't know if they will go for it or not, but I do know it will take 2 of my guys all day to do it. If we aren't doing that job, we'll be someplace else making that money. So why take the job for less and lose the money?
 
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bobbyho said:
What would you typically charge for a chandelier replacement in a 20foot ceiling.


I really have thought about ...just not doing these anymore.
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What did you charge previously?

Was it worth it (profitable)?
 
bobbyho said:
Probably more than any homeowner will ever expect.
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Why do you or others on here look at this, this way?
Is it because you can't afford your own rates or 20' ceilings?
Seriously your quote what ever it is,,, is what it is.

Is a half day of your time there or anywhere else any more desirable?
Personally, if you already have the ladder on your truck or in your shop, and the outlet is already wired & box is supported. You should be in and out in 1.5 hours max. unless your a dairy farmer & milking a small job.
Where do you see 1/2 day?

Do you think the Auto mechanic quotes a transmission rebuild & thinks .."Probably more than any autoowner will ever expect" Maybe not a good comparison but its all I can come up with on the fly.
 
I see a half day in this way: by the time we set up the ladder opn the truck,drive to the job, set the ladder up take down the old light, then wait while the person decides on what height the new fixture will sit at,install it then take down the ladder and reset it up on the truck and go. This is will eat up a half day no matter how fast you are. Hour and a half? Excellent, I guess I am a dairy farmer because I must be milking it. Celtic, thanks for the input that is exactly the price range I was thinking. By the way,wanna buy some milk?
 
bobbyho said:
Celtic, thanks for the input that is exactly the price range I was thinking.
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I don't recall ever dropping a dollar value ???

By the way,wanna buy some milk?
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I have my own cow:

cowalone.jpg



I charge a small lease fee to set it up on your job site.

LOL

:D
 
77401 said:
I know thats not your cow cuz your would have a 100 dollar blanket on it!
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Like the $69 ceiling fan install, the Blanketed $100 Jersey Heifer is an "upgrade" :D:D:D LOL
 
77401 said:
Why do you or others on here look at this, this way?
Is it because you can't afford your own rates or 20' ceilings?
Seriously your quote what ever it is,,, is what it is.
Click to expand...

this i agree with completely. too often we let ourselves be guided by our own perceptions and misperceptions

77401 said:
Is a half day of your time there or anywhere else any more desirable?
Personally, if you already have the ladder on your truck or in your shop, and the outlet is already wired & box is supported. You should be in and out in 1.5 hours max. unless your a dairy farmer & milking a small job.
Where do you see 1/2 day?
Click to expand...

couldn't disagree with you more. Anytime we get called in for a 20' ceiling, the fixtures take an hour just to uncrate, unpackage and get ready to hang. they typically take 2 men because of the fixture weight. Add in set up, clean up and travel. I defy you to install one in 1.5 hrs total time.
 
Personally, I'd quote a full day, it will not go as planned.

Even if you can complete this in half a day you will probably not get much more accomplished on another project in what's remaining of the day.

You should also figure it portal to portal.

If a competitor beats you, so be it.

Roger
 
emahler said:
bob, do you charge by the foot? :)
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LOL Maybe I should charge by the HOOF. Seriously though; we get into these little projects all the time and if I bid them it seems like I either make an obscene profit or loose my shirt. I usually try to get the job T&M or bid it so high that I probably won't get the job. What usually gets me this type of work is that we actually answer the phone (return the calls) and show up when we say we will. People like to be treated with respect and price is usually secondary when working on nicer homes. Do I need a permit??? LMAO
 
If the light fixture is one of those crystal chandeliers you could easily spend a half day just trying to put all the little pretty glass baubles up. (a task I always seek to avoid if optional). And the last time I had to do this the instructions were all in Italian.
 
We prefer to use scaffolding for such installs. You can take it inside the house in pieces, build it in place, and you have a nice elevated platform to work from when hanging such monstrosities.
 
T&M however much it takes... No other way! There are far too many variables to give it a price if it even slightly goes unplanned. Give 'em your rate, and mandated two man job, and a rough idea of how long it might take, with a warning that it may take much longer.
 
e57 said:
T&M however much it takes... No other way! There are far too many variables to give it a price if it even slightly goes unplanned. Give 'em your rate, and mandated two man job, and a rough idea of how long it might take, with a warning that it may take much longer.
Click to expand...


do you charge them portal to portal? to pick up the ladder from the shop? drop it off?

How do your customers feel when you tack on 2 hrs for 2 men to cover this?

if you are an owner, do you eat this time? how do you pay your men for this?
 
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