Re: whats the standard price markup on switchgear?
ten years ago, or thereabouts, a trade magazine had an article predicting that eventually the g.c. will not be needed! customers will select a group of sub-contractors who "work together" to meet construction requirements. at that time i had just completed a two floor interior build out (price-waterhouse) for turner construction. the punch list was about 3/4" thick. the tenant was moved in and the g.c. had been paid for the job. i knew this to be the truth because we provide services to the building's owner. my job was complete- not one item on the punch list- not a lamp out of plate missing,etc.. i went to their comptroller - a women from n.y.. i asked her " i was wondering when our final draw will be issued"? it was 60 days past due and it was about $130,000.. she said "when the punch list is done"! i explained to her that i had zero items on the punch list. her comment was "if thats the case- you'll get paid when i f#%&ing feel like it"! i about feel over! i told her it would be the last job i ever did for turner construction and it was! six months later they couldn't find a contractor to bid their work.. now, they had hired paperhangers and painters who worked out of stationwagons - - and i'm gonna be waiting for them to complete their punch list holding up $130,000... i don't think so! thats how i got the idea to "not work for them" - and every once in a while i would do a small job and wam! same thing came back and bit me on the butt.. today, they get away with it - contractors except the fact that they are gonna kiss butt to get the money owed them, or like you mentioned payed at a reduced price. one s.o.b. actually had a policy with his superintendants - what ever money they could screw the subs out of would be a bonus for them at the end of the job. we were doing a 1/2 floor build out and the receptacle heigths in the core area didn't match those we had installed in the tenant space. every week the tenant would mention it and i gave them a price which i thought was right-- lowering outlets is expensive-you gotta repull the whole job... they never gave me the change order, but i made good money on this job and had some time between jobs, so i told my guys to go ahead and lower all the core recepticles-for free! six months later we were called to add some power outlets in the library. the same office manager who attended the jobsite meetings requested a "total price" on six outlets? i asked her to do it t&m? "no way" she said. "i remember what you charged me to lower those core recepticles"! i explained to her that we did not charge her for that work. she walked over and pulled out a invoice from the g.c. -- he took my price and doubled it!!!!!! then added ten and ten percent!!! blaimed the high cost on me!!
