ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Business Related Discussion first house to wire

I just got my first call for a house to wire. It's a remodel with bare
studs and ceiling, just like a new home. I dont really know how to
price it. The house is 1648 sq ft. It needs a new service too (200 amp). The we aggreed on 3500, but above and beyond that it includes 6 phone outlets, 3 recessed cans, 6 dimmers ( 3 that are 3 ways), and 2
outside lights. I think it will take a day to rough and a day to trim. I starting to think twice about this price. I was hoping to get some feedback on this.

Sid in Atlanta, Georgia

Hi Sid.

I'm about 100 mi. north of you.

Maybe Electric Eagle can give you an idea about that price. He's in the Atlanta area.

That would be a little low up here,but then again I couldn't rough it in a day,nor trim it and build the service in a day.

Russell

3500 Is that american dollars?
That is way way way too low. Also you are way off on the time you will need for the work.
I'm at $6500.00 just quickly adding in my head.

[This message has been edited by Electricmanscott (edited 01-18-2005).]

Hello Sid,
I'm in Alpharetta. We would be probably $6000 - $7000 or more for that house. We also probably would not get the job, but we would lose money at your price. Are you supply materials? How many people do you have helping you? If you're doing the work yourself and don't have any overhead, you won't lose money, but you'll barely make wages. Also keep in mind that old wood is very hard to drill.

My input may be skewed a little because I haven't seen the house and we mainly work on heavily wired custom jobs. If this is minimaly wired, you may be OK. Email me if you like, I'll be glad to give you any help I can. Also, if you want some sub work, I could talk to you about that too.

I remeber my first house. It was sort of intimidating. I have always itemized each of the outlets (that's lights too) and I apply a standard cost to them. If they're atypical they get special consideration. Subtract the standard stuff from the job and what's left you can break down into hours and materials.

There's no mention of the kitchen. There's a lot of cost in there.

I agree you're to low.

Whats the average hourly rate out there?

How big is your crew?

I assume you're in a pipe-free area (unlike Chicago, conduit capitol of the free world )

How'd you arrive at your number?

Sid that does seem low. I do basements that cost almost that much just south of you. Like was asked, how many people do you have to rough this thing in a day?

there's 2 of us.

sid, here in Pa, I use $4.25 sq/ft as a start.
That's for the basics. No High hats, no dimmers, nothing special. That includes the service, switches and receps and light boxes in all rooms. From there I go up.

telephone= 55 each
cable= 55 each
High hats= 75 each, standard 6" white
and so on and so on....

The extras is where you make your most money.

good luck......

(one more thing, customer will supply all fixtures)

[This message has been edited by Dnkldorf (edited 01-19-2005).]