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#159454 01/25/07 11:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 615
J
Jps1006 Offline OP
Member
I'm going to start building a rate book. I have looked through alot of the archives here and have some more questions about how some of you guys do it.

What level of detail do you take your line items to?

I see some of you have a $XX.XX price for 1st item and then less for additional.

What kinds of things do you have adders for?

Here's a sample job, how would you assemble a price for it?

Single family ranch with an unfinished basement. Owner wants a 30-amp 240-volt electric dryer and 20-amp 120-volt washer circuit in bedroom closet 40' away on the first floor. FP stablock panel in the basement with room for breakers. EMT required. Dryer needs 4-wire cord.

To what level of detail would you break that job down to?

Latest Estimating Cost Guides & Software:
#159455 01/26/07 12:53 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 717
M
Member
Jps, since you saw the job, how long will it take you? And what will your materials cost you? Do you know what your breakeven number is? If so you have all the info you need to make a good bid. Remember also that on small jobs, there is less productivity in the day, but I bet you have a full day there.

#159456 01/26/07 08:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 615
J
Jps1006 Offline OP
Member
Yes Mike your right, key work being "make a good bid."

I am talking about building a flat rate book. If I send my installer (tech) out to look at it and start it right away if approved, how would he go about using a flat rate book to do this? How would you who have books break it out into tasks?

[This message has been edited by Jps1006 (edited 01-26-2007).]

#159457 01/26/07 09:27 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
(4) 3/4" emt w/ (4) 10ga and (2) 12 ga copper
Dryer Outlet
GFCI
single pole breaker
double pole breaker
Appliance Cord
Addition for access (laundry room drywall)
Possible addition for multiple bends or junction boxes in basement

I'd also give a short lecture on the FP and offer a price on a QO upgrade.

Dave

#159458 01/26/07 11:11 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
A
Member
Quote
Single family ranch with an unfinished basement. Owner wants a 30-amp 240-volt electric dryer and 20-amp 120-volt washer circuit in bedroom closet 40' away on the first floor. FP stablock panel in the basement with room for breakers. EMT required. Dryer needs 4-wire cord.

JBF-1060-0060 Daily Job Fee (For Job Setup, Cleanup & Paperwork)
DCL-3050-0240 Dedicated Circuit: EMT Conduit 30a Limited Access
DCL-2050-0240 Dedicated Circuit: EMT Conduit 20a Limited Access
AHU-1006-0030 Install Dryer Cord 30a

The dedicated circuit tasks include everything. The breaker, conduit, wire, receptacle, etc.

The above task numbers have a code to them.
The last three digits of the first number is the distance. The four digits of the last number is the time in minutes.

Example: DCL-3050-0240
DCL = Dedicated Conduit Limited Access
3050 = Distance Up To 50 Ft.
0240 = 240 Minutes For Task

I have distances that range from 10 Ft. to 200 Ft. 10ft, 25ft, 50ft, 75ft, 100ft, etc.

I also have three catagories for degree of difficulty.

Open Access = All framing is exposed

Limited Access = Attic space, crawl space or unfinished basement. Fished up or down a finshed wall.

No Access = Wiring has to be fished through finshed walls & ceilings.




[This message has been edited by A-Line (edited 01-26-2007).]

#159459 01/26/07 04:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 615
J
Jps1006 Offline OP
Member
Thanks guys.

A-Line,
Did you buy or make that book?

Do you have a way to account for fluctuating material prices (i.e. automatically tie into purchasing etc.)?

What if I decide I can put (3) #10 & (2) #12 in a 1/2” EMT?

How do you account for the drastic price difference between a GE 2-pole 30 and a Stab Lock?

#159460 01/26/07 05:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
L
LK Offline
Member
We use a service software program, cost was about about $145 and it does the work of the $3000 plus programs and has a lot of extras included, no buying add on modules. They have a trial at www.ayanova.com

We make the book from our actuals, and have up to date inventory from our vendor billing.

"Do you have a way to account for fluctuating material prices (i.e. automatically tie into purchasing etc.)?"

Automatic updating is very expensive, but our purchasing prices can be updated with vendor billing, vendor quotes, or connect to the many on line pricing schedules.

"What if I decide I can put (3) #10 & (2) #12 in a 1/2” EMT?"

In that case you use the task add on for that task.

"How do you account for the drastic price difference between a GE 2-pole 30 and a Stab Lock?"

Use the inventory item that fits the job, and add it to the task.

#159461 01/26/07 11:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 348
I
ITO Offline
Member
Why make it complicate?

$150 Material
4 Hours labor
.5 hours overhead
Add your mark-up

[This message has been edited by ITO (edited 01-26-2007).]


101° Rx = + /_\
#159462 01/27/07 01:02 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
A good point ITO, but it takes experience to estimate that way, and often the markup is left out.

Dave

#159463 01/27/07 07:13 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,064
D
Member
Quote
Why make it complicate?

There is a need to complicate things for various reasons. One being that some feel a need to prove how smart they are.

Another reason might be to blow smoke.

Keeping things simple is the best advise I've ever heard.

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