ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Remodeling Monster

For remodels we give an estimate and make it clear that it is very rough and will vary depending upon how the job goes.

The job is done on a time and material basis. If the contractor insists on a firm bid.....walk away. It's not worth the risk to bid remodels.

JMO
GJ

when asked for a ballpark figure I tell them the Astrodome cost about 120 million in '70's dollars

If you explain to them that they will probably end up saving money by having you do the job on a T&M basis (because your bid price would make their eyes bug out), they might find some comfort.
If it's not acceptable to them, WALK.

This is all really helpful you guys. Its making me feel ten times better about some of the charges I have added. For instance, I am putting in 25 hours for two men for demo. I'm also adding 20% overhead to the whole thing. I am even thinking of making some of that a little higher. If we have to get into that low voltage crap...and I know already that we have to delete one low voltage switch - that's going to be a pain...

Speaking of overhead...does anyone ever actually itemize out an overhead charge or do you just mix it in?

The other thing is that this is a potential new client. And being that we only currently have one builder who we work for regularly - we need the clientel.

[This message has been edited by Happi_Man (edited 07-21-2002).]

Happy:

Depends on what you mean by mix it in, you only mix in direct job cost, job labor, lift, tool rental, ECT. All other cost of doing business is considered overhead and MUST be included in your bids usually a % Just remember your company overhead, the money has to come from somewhere


Dave

Which makes it even more important that you bid with profit in mind, you bid low, and they'll want you low on all the rest of the jobs, too.