ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Bidding burn't out houses???

spyder, correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

If one would make the "not-to-exceed" value equal to the "bid price", then go with a bid.

Seems to me, you're putting a "ceiling" price on something, but no "bottom" price, atleast with a bid, there is only one price.

Make sense?

Or am I just missing soemthing fundamental again?

My point: about the not to "exceed" price gives them a high ballpark figure. They are happy because they have a number. I see your point about it not being excatly fundamental.

Virgil,

In my former life of a facility manager I did a lot of NTE. That would give you a budget figure to go with, and then if the price came in lower you looked good. But then again I also did job walks and there were far fewer questions than what NC is looking at.

It seems to me that you would bid the job as a complete new re-wire with some cost in for removing the old stuff. Would you accept the liability of leaving in some of the old wiring?

Lawyer: Sparkync, why did my clients house burn down again when our experts have found that there was obiously had some heat stress on this wire.

Sparkync: Looked good to me.

Judge: Judgement for the plantiff.

Unfortunately that is how it is today.

Scot

Hmmmm......

Fire in kitchen of 5000sq.ft 1 story.Rewire whole house.Sounds lucrative but Ins.Co.aint gonna go for it.

Thanks again for the input.. Had to give the bid tonight though If prices around here were as good as some of you all's places I might could have bid higher, but I'm a little "bid scared". I'm bidding this burnt out cheaper than Virgil did his new house kinda scary... but I gotta put food on the table and I figure I'll make better than I would at "Burger King" or "MacDonalds". I put the bid in at $8500.00 I know.......to cheap.. but I gotta get my foot in the door with this contractor if possible, he does high volume of work. $$$$$'s down the road. And I wish I had time to ask the inspectors, but again I'm pushed to make a decision. Decisions, Decisions, way of life Thanks.... Steve.. Hope if I get the job, I don't get to many surprises. If I do hope I learn enough to make up on the next one

Sparkync Gramps has this correct "T&M and Don't depend." With fires, damage can jump rooms or floors.
LK

SparkyNC:
1st, Good Luck
Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
I know 1st hand what yaou mean about putting food on the table. Yeah, it was a while ago, but it's something you don't forget.

If it gets you connected with a GC, then it may be worth it.

Good Luck
John

sparkync,

Still don't have any papers signed on that one, so I may not have it.

The going rate for other GCs is about 1/3 to 1/2 of what I bid on that one job.

I've done 3000 sq ft houses with finished basements and including phone and tv for less than $6000 before.

Not bragging.

Besides, the one good month I had last year was for the first Greenbrier cottage I wired.

Most of the money went to my sub and to my supplier. I ended up with about $2K left over.

My net profit for the year (including my pay) was less than $12K, so don't go wishing you were in my shoes!

Seriously considering closing shop. Joe Musser quit his biz and is now working for the only competition at the Greenbrier for $12 per hour. Yes, he's a master and contractor. Not a typo. $12 per hour. I pay my no-experience helper $10 and most of you think it's too low.

Got turned down on a truck loan, so I don't have much faith in my business any more. My truck won't pass inspection without serious bodywork and a new windshield and I've got to the end of the month to repair or replace the truck.

Still don't have my helper legal. Don't have the $1600 for a wage bond and I have to have that before I can pay comp, withholdings, SSI, etc.

My poor helper has had to listen to me b*tch all day long too.

It seems pretty futile now. Sorry to rant again.

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 01-22-2003).]

sparky66wv.......dont give it up yet... .....maybe branch out a little....if it gets really bad down there...bring your truck and helper to columbus....i got more work than i can handle for the next few months.... ......kiss momma "goodbye" for 60-90 days...and come help me.....i got 2 "prevailing wage" jobs that i need a journeyman on, that i cant start....because of manpower.....

think about it
gramps

sparky66wv:

I hear you...

You're considering getting out and I'm trying to get in.

I was in the web development area and have been out of work since May. (With a wife and two toddlers plus a new mortgage. Boy, was I glad to hear that the Federal benefits were extended or I'd really be in trouble!)

I have a strong interest in the trade, and the local Sunday paper want-ads here (Northern NJ) have at least 4 or 5 ads for experienced electricians.

The ones I've spoken with are offering $8-$10/hour for an inexperienced helper (and I understand...they would have to slow down to train me, etc.)

The union apprenticeship program takes a while to get in, and I'm told the list is long. (The wait is worth it, however.)

So, Gramps sounds like he has an offer worth considering very seriously. I imagine it would be uncomfortable to pick up and leave for a while, but if you are not tied down to family, it sure would be worth it.

Maybe you can convert your truck's engine into a generator?

NOTE: I just saw Mr. Tedesco's message relative to deletion of posts that are not on topic. I'll send this one via private e-mail. The board doesn't allow me to delete the post.

[This message has been edited by ThinkGood (edited 01-22-2003).]