What would your price be?

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IrishRugger

Senior Member
Working up a proposal for a new customer for the following items, she is new to the area and and spotted me wearing one of my work shirts a couple of weeks ago, said she has some work for her new home she purchased.

She contacted me and I met with her yesterday for about 2 hours to go over what she wanted. Her home is less than 10 years old has portions of basement finished, has not moved in yet because she wants work she needs done underway before they move in ( I like her already).

I offered to show her one of my recent projects that was similar to one of her projects, she obliged and we went and looked at it. My recent customer was present and gave me and others who worked on the project high marks and praise.

Ok the work she has requested is grouped asfollows:
Group A
(1) Remove 32 Duplex receptacles & plates and replace with TR duplex receptacles.
(2) Remove 5 GFCI's and replace with TR GFCI's
(3) Remove 16 Single pole swiches and replace with new ones
(4) Remove 7 Three ways and replace with new ones
(5) Remove 1 Fourway and replace with new one
(6) Remove 5 CATV jacks and replace with new ones
(7) Remove 5 Phone Jacks and replace with new ones
(8) Replace 9 IP1, 3 IP2, 3 IP3 covers.
(9) Install remodel recess can with wet location cover for shower in ceiling on separate swich cut in to bathroom. Bathroom has access from basement below (dropped cieling in basement bath) no crawling in attic will cut small hole in drywall in bath to fish switch leg patching to be done by others.

Group B
(1) Move Dining room fixture about a foot from it's existing location, 8 foot flat ceiling no attic crawling patching done by others.

Group C
(1) Fish in new wiring for under cabinet lights controlled by two separate wall switches ( different locations) Finished sheet rock ceiling under kitchen in basement no web trusses just those (I beam) engineered floor trusses kitchen walls obviously finished. Patching done by others.

Plan on installing 5 16" Xenon under cabinet fixtures, and 4 24" Xenon under cabinet fixtures.


Now she has seen my recent kichen remodel and she likes the fixtures and how they look now I must show her the cost, I just want to make sure she gets a fair price and I get get compensated appropriately.

I have taken suggestions from this forum in regards to quoting prices and providing payment terms very seriously, I have implemented them. Your thoughts on cost of these little projects would be insightful. After I finsh the proposal I'll post my quote too for comparison.

Thank You
 
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satcom

Senior Member
IrishRugger said:
Working up a proposal for a new customer for the following items, she is new to the area and and spotted me wearing one of my work shirts a couple of weeks ago, said she has some work for her new home she purchased.

She contacted me and I met with her yesterday for about 2 hours to go over what she wanted. Her home is less than 10 years old has portions of basement finished, has not moved in yet because she wants work she needs done underway before they move in ( I like her already).

I offered to show her one of my recent projects that was similar to one of her projects, she obliged and we went and looked at it. My recent customer was present and gave me and others who worked on the project high marks and praise.

Ok the work she has requested is grouped asfollows:
Group A
(1) Remove 32 Duplex receptacles & plates and replace with TR duplex receptacles.
(2) Remove 5 GFCI's and replace with TR GFCI's
(3) Remove 16 Single pole swiches and replace with new ones
(4) Remove 7 Three ways and replace with new ones
(5) Remove 1 Fourway and replace with new one
(6) Remove 5 CATV jacks and replace with new ones
(7) Remove 5 Phone Jacks and replace with new ones
(8) Replace 9 IP1, 3 IP2, 3 IP3 covers.
(9) Install remodel recess can with wet location cover for shower in ceiling on separate swich cut in to bathroom. Bathroom has access from basement below (dropped cieling in basement bath) no crawling in attic will cut small hole in drywall in bath to fish switch leg patching to be done by others.

Group B
(1) Move Dining room fixture about a foot from it's existing location, 8 foot flat ceiling no attic crawling patching done by others.

Group C
(1) Fish in new wiring for under cabinet lights controlled by two separate wall switches ( different locations) Finished sheet rock ceiling under kitchen in basement no web trusses just those (I beam) engineered floor trusses kitchen walls obviously finished. Patching done by others.

Plan on installing 5 16" Xenon under cabinet fixtures, and 4 24" Xenon under cabinet fixtures.


Now she has seen my recent kichen remodel and she likes the fixtures and how they look now I must show her the cost, I just want to make sure she gets a fair price and I get get compensated appropriately.

I have taken suggestions from this forum in regards to quoting prices and providing payment terms very seriously, I have implemented them. Your thoughts on cost of these little projects would be insightful. After I finsh the proposal I'll post my quote too for comparison.

Thank You
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Have you been keeping actuals logs from your completed jobs, these records can supply you with on target prices for all your future work. Not a good idea to use someone elses prices, their cost, overhead and operating expenses will never be the same as yours, and their labor units may also differ.

One caution on the dinning room fixture move, make sure the fixture outlet box is not also being used as a junction point, and check the direction of the move, to be sure it will not need a splice.
 
I

IrishRugger

Senior Member
satcom said:
Have you been keeping actuals logs from your completed jobs, these records can supply you with on target prices for all your future work. Not a good idea to use someone elses prices, their cost, overhead and operating expenses will never be the same as yours, and their labor units may also differ.

One caution on the dinning room fixture move, make sure the fixture outlet box is not also being used as a junction point, and check the direction of the move, to be sure it will not need a splice.
Click to expand...

When I bill out for certain T&M remodel type jobs I keep pretty accurate material counts along with time expended, I am refering to them for these remodel quotes.

Perhaps the question that was more appropriate to ask How much time should be involved with each task and how much mark up on material would be appropriate.

My perspective for the question is to follow your advice and agree upon a price before work commences, so we do not run into problems of old.

By the way excellent advice on the relocation of dining room light never considered that that box could be a junction point espescially since I did not wire this house originally.

See this is exactly why I really value the remarks and views of those on this forum fantastic direction Satcom Thank You
 
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satcom

Senior Member
IrishRugger said:
When I bill out for certain T&M remodel type jobs I keep pretty accurate material counts along with time expended, I am refering to them for these remodel quotes.

Perhaps the question that was more appropriate to ask How much time should be involved with each task and how much mark up on material would be appropriate.
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Yes, the time for each task, is what your actuals records should give you.

On material mark up, some contractors believe no mark up should be less then 50% and larger for material under a dollar, but you will get plenty of opinions, on material mark up, you have to consider inventory costs, taxes, and all the back office time material orders take, the part time guy will never see these expenses, but they are real expenses, and require the proper mark up to stay in balance.
 
I

IrishRugger

Senior Member
satcom said:
Yes, the time for each task, is what your actuals records should give you.

On material mark up, some contractors believe no mark up should be less then 50% and larger for material under a dollar, but you will get plenty of opinions, on material mark up, you have to consider inventory costs, taxes, and all the back office time material orders take, the part time guy will never see these expenses, but they are real expenses, and require the proper mark up to stay in balance.
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I have been using the sliding scale that was posted long ago on this forum and I seems to work pretty good I guess I'm a little speculative with this particular quote because this is a brand new customer to the area and I want to treat her and I fair.

But at least she is going to see what I want for the job up before any work commences and she will see my expectations when it comes to payments.

I agree with you whole heartedly. I may be a one man show but I have similar expenses as a larger shop.
 
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nizak

Senior Member
About the only item that is going to be a tough one is the UC lights. Sounds to me like the best way is to simply cut out what is needed and patch. Virtually impossible to fish horizontally from cabinet to cabinet, and drilling blind through studs(Especially in a kitchen) may lead to damaged wiring internally. I have already dropped upper cabinets and cut trenches behind to accomodate wiring, but that's only if you don't have crown or other types of nailed mouldings to deal with. The dining room light could be a stinker as well if you've got a bunch of wires in it, I would pop the canopy and take a quick peek.
 
F

fridaymean

Member
Location
Illinois
25.1 hours. Based on information given. Does not include re-pulling switch leg to canopy - use existing cable, if romex.

All patching by others
 
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I

IrishRugger

Senior Member
LarryFine said:
Shouldn't that be an even number? ;)
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To dispell your fears, I will explain why only seven three ways are being replaced.

These folks are moving into a "new to them" home and the previous owner painted devices and plates as well as various walls certain colors. Thus as a result of my thurough investigation I am only replacing seven three ways because the devices in the basement escaped the onslaught of being painted the color of their prospective walls. The devices in the basement remained un painted including the three way switch on the three way wiring circuit at the bottom of basement stairway. But I commend you for your keen eye.
 
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