Unit Pricing

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frank_n

frank_n

Senior Member
Location
Central NJ
Tomorrow morning, I am going to start my first proposal on a new home. I was wondering what unit pricing people were using. Celtic helped me a lot last year at this time win a proposal for an addition.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Frank
 
Frank, I don't understand what you mean either...do you mean like assemblies for devices?
x' wire
box
x# staples
etc
?
 
Unit Pricing

I think what he's referring to is unit pricing for an outlet, recessed fixture, surface light, etc.....
There is no set price to go by usually, it really comes from your overhead, current material values, and the amount of outlets for that project.
Residential has a different unit installation cost than commercial.My personnal unit cost lately runs about 75 dollars and outlet. recess fixtures with lamps and trims about $125. It all depends on your labor rate, at the moment mine is about 75 dollars an hour per man. With the cost of copper lately your unit pricing changes with almost every project you bid.
Hope that helped.
 
RUWIREDRITE said:
I think what he's referring to is unit pricing for an outlet, recessed fixture, surface light, etc.....
There is no set price to go by usually, it really comes from your overhead, current material values, and the amount of outlets for that project.
Residential has a different unit installation cost than commercial.My personnal unit cost lately runs about 75 dollars and outlet. recess fixtures with lamps and trims about $125. It all depends on your labor rate, at the moment mine is about 75 dollars an hour per man. With the cost of copper lately your unit pricing changes with almost every project you bid.
Hope that helped.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I mean. How much for a receptacle, a switch, a recesed light, etc..

Last year I used $32 for a receptacle, $42 for a switch, and didn't make much money.

I have the Craftsman and HD program. Is there a way to use that program to figure out how much I should charge for a receptacle, a switch, a GFCI, recessed light, smoke detector, etc.?

I'm going to do a take-off this morning. I'll let you know.

Thanks,
Frank
 
$32???

$32???

I been in contracting a long time and can't even remeber charging $32 per outlet installed. I guess in your area that works by not in the Garden State. Glad i'm not bidding against you here.lol
 
I don't know. I'm a contractor. At times it seems that I spend way to much time at it. (I think my family shares that opinion) It's what I do. I reply to any post that I think I can offer advice on. It doesn't matter if it's regarding estimating, methods of installation, union relations, etc. However, when it comes to estimating, I am very passionate about it. I want to learn from others on this forum how they estimate to see if I can tweak my own methods. To me, my company will live or die based on how I estimate our jobs. I can have the greatest workers in the world, (which I do) but if I screw up the estimate, it won't matter.
 
Frank,

It's really, really easy.

Determine your actual material costs for your average switch, receptacle, etc.

Make sure you account for the box, the device, the wire (avg about 20'/device) misc screws, etc

add that all up.

figure out how long it will take you to rough AND finish each device. multiply that by your labor rate.

add your markup and margins...and voile, you have a unit price for what you need. Based on your costs, wants and desires.

Some guys use 3rd world migrant labor that costs them $10/hr total. You may actually pay a living wage and have labor costs of $25+/hr. Try to compete on price with the 3rd world labor, and you won't make any money.

good luck
 
Exactly

Exactly

Thats what i meant before about trying to bid against a guy working out of his trunk.My bids usually come in somewheres in the middle of all bids, its not a science ,just how i figure them. I get alot of work that way, most people affraid to go with the low baller and get sticker shock with the high. It's all good
Enjoy
 
frank_n said:
That's exactly what I mean. How much for a receptacle, a switch, a recesed light, etc..


I have the Craftsman and HD program. Is there a way to use that program to figure out how much I should charge for a receptacle, a switch, a GFCI, recessed light, smoke detector, etc.?
Click to expand...
Something like this?
 
celtic said:
If it were any easier monkeys would be doing it ;)
Click to expand...

you know they already are...go to any resi new construction site and find me an electrician...go ahead, I triple dog dare you...
 
emahler said:
you know they already are...go to any resi new construction site and find me an electrician...go ahead, I triple dog dare you...
Click to expand...

Those are "trained" monkeys ...at the very least potty trained :D
 
celtic said:
Those are "trained" monkeys ...at the very least potty trained :D
Click to expand...

I beg to differ....the last resi new construction job we were on (about 4 yrs ago) had many who were not potty trained...i kid you not.

We weren't doing the work for the houses, we were doing the clubhouse and site lighting.
 
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My Proposal

My Proposal

I worked on unit prices for the past 2 nights and worked out a proposal. Let me know what you think. It is new construction in central NJ.

I hope the attachment works.

Thanks,
Frank
 
forgot to price your combo.

sounds about right for central NJ...good luck with it.

funny part is, the house will probably sell for about $500-$600,000

and the plumber will get about $800-$900 per fixture. x20 fixtures or so...
 
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