Tall ceiling light fixtures

Status
Not open for further replies.
"T&M however much it takes..."

We like to give a fixed price on jobs, but this is one time i agree with the T&M approach, give them a not to exceed top figure, and give them the dressed, and non dressed option.

Had a call a few weeks ago, went to look at job, fixture was 18ft aff, and it had some weight to it, i quoted $1200 and they said when can you do it, can you start today, so that little alarm went off in my head, so i said i will have to check my schedule, and i would get back to him, as i was leaving, his wife said we really want you to do the job, the others wanted twice what you want, as her husband pulled her away.

If it was my home, i would go the extra bucks, and install a lift.
 
Last edited:
satcom said:
"T&M however much it takes..."

We like to give a fixed price on jobs, but this is one time i agree with the T&M approach, give them a not to exceed top figure, and give them the dressed, and non dressed option.

Had a call a few weeks ago, went to look at job, fixture was 18ft aff, and it had some weight to it, i quoted $1200 and they said when can you do it, can you start today, so that little alarm went off in my head, so i said i will have to check my schedule, and i would get back to him, as i was leaving, his wife said we really want you to do the job, the others wanted twice what you want, as her husband pulled her away.

If it was my home, i would go the extra bucks, and install a lift.
Click to expand...
Although I sometimes do it, I hate the 'not to exceed' price. It gives the HO a ceiling but does nothing to protect the EC from the unexpected problems. It is a one way street which is now the law in CA.
 
With a "Not to exceed" clause, you must give a worst case scenario figure.
I don't like it, but some people seem to like that clause.
 
T&M with a not to exceed (no matter how worst case scenerio you give) is good for the HO and bad for the EC.

If you have problems and go beyond your NTE, you lose.

If you don't have problems, and get it done quick, you lose.

You have essentially taken all the risk, and given the HO all the potential reward. If you are going to give a NTE, just give them a firm price and take the risk. At least this way, if you do it quicker than you thought, you get rewarded.
 
77401 said:
I don't have a problem with a not to excede
the HO might if I say not to Excede a million dollars
Click to expand...

I use that amount to verbal quote all the time. Whenever a gc or owner asks me how much to "wire a house", and there is no plans provided. When they get around to understanding that I am not kidding, then the drawings appear, or there is some real discussion as to the scope.
 
emahler said:
I defy you to install one in 1.5 hrs total time.
Click to expand...

I wish I'd met you 4 months ago. Last time I went to change a fixture that was 20' above the floor I thought "Hey, I'll be up and down in no time!" After about 8 hours (no, really) of trying to find (a) a taller ladder and (b) someone else who was willing to work that high above the floor, I gave up, drove back to Texas, and left it to my cohort in rewiring to resolve.

That's the last time I'll ever think "Hey, I'll be up and down in no time!"
 
don't feel bad, we did one the other day. Fixture was preassembled with all the crystals. We simply had to hang it, put on about 50 total pieces (including lamps, shades and a couple of prisms to reflect light) Figured it for about 3 total hours.

Oh, there was already a chandeleir lift installed:)

HO said "how come so much? it'll only take you an hour"

well, fixture chain was too short. HO on phone with interior designer who ordered the fixture. 20 mins for the lift to drop the old fixture (they move really slow)

Do what we do, 3 hrs later walking out the door with a check.

Not one ladder involved and it still took 3 hrs.

When I told the wife that it would have cost about $1000-1200 if we had to get a ladder in, she actually understood at this point.

BTW- we have to drop it and extend the chain when they get it in, already let them know that it will cost more to do that, then to originally hang it. Boy, was she pissed at the Interior Designer.
 
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.

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.
Click to expand...

I agree with 1/2 or more. This person above can not be a contractor - must be a general contractor or other trade with no clue on time involved.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top