Estimate on job (Some Posts Deleted)
#1
02-27-15, 01:01 PM
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Estimate on job (Some Posts Deleted)
Hello im 2 yrs into the electrical trade and finally decided to do my first side job. I wanted to get an estimate on what i should charge my customer. I know prices vary due to location. ok I am going to run 2-2-2-4 to power a shed (distance from panel to shed is 185ft.). Therefore i will have to run underground pvc more likely. and pull wire as well. I want to get an estimate on that. Plus boxing wiring and trimming 8 plugs, 4 lights inside and 2 floods. so another estimate for that. and lastly Install ceiling fan coming off of a existing hot. On ceiling fan i was going to charge a bit more because the space in attic will be really tight and hard to get to. But if you can please give me your feedback on what i should charge him for labor THank you
#2
02-27-15, 01:15 PM
Group Moderator
You have to decide. How much time do you think this will take and what do you expect to receive for your time? You've seen the site, we have not.
#4
02-27-15, 01:23 PM
Group Moderator
Thanks for the heads-up Pulpo on the multiple posting.
Jaime - your question has been asked and I have deleted the other places you asked it as well. Please stop re-posting the same question.
Jaime - your question has been asked and I have deleted the other places you asked it as well. Please stop re-posting the same question.
#6
02-27-15, 01:44 PM
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sorry about that guys i barely registered didnt really know. but i mean i dont know ive been in the trade for awhile now and starting off so i dont know how much i should charge. Do yall charge by hour or by plugs light what...?
#7
02-27-15, 01:45 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
If you are not licensed there is a very good chance that you should not be charging someone since you don't have a license or insurance.
#8
02-27-15, 01:47 PM
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true but say that wasnt a factor. because honestly this guy wants me to do it pronto and said hed prefer me...i dont want to over charge him
#9
02-27-15, 01:50 PM
Group Moderator
Has a permit been pulled for the job? Do you have insurance coverage to do this kind of work on your own?
#11
02-27-15, 02:04 PM
Hard to believe you are two years in the trade and don't know how and what your boss charges. Hard to believe your two years in the trade and don't know someone you can ask.
#12
02-27-15, 02:12 PM
Jaime, Calculate the price of the materials separately from the labor. I'm just going to pick numbers out of the air. Let's say the materials are going to cost $2,000. Keep that # on the side.
Labor: Calculate how much you want per day, not per hour. Then determine how many days the job will take. Let's say that you want $300 per day & it's going to take 3 days. You add $900 to the $2,000 & there is your price.
If you are not sure about the price of the materials. Tell the customer to accompany you to the store & pay for the materials. That way you don't have to risk underestimating.
Labor: Calculate how much you want per day, not per hour. Then determine how many days the job will take. Let's say that you want $300 per day & it's going to take 3 days. You add $900 to the $2,000 & there is your price.
If you are not sure about the price of the materials. Tell the customer to accompany you to the store & pay for the materials. That way you don't have to risk underestimating.
#14
02-28-15, 06:56 PM
Member
Estimating isn't rocket science, but if you don't know what you are doing you shouldn't even be attempting to do this job. After you list your material and cost per line item, in a separate column list the appropriate labor unit from your Manual of Labor Units. Add up both columns and you have material cost and hours. Multiply hours times your hourly rate. Add total labor to material cost with sales tax. Add insurance and permit costs and finally add markups and you are done.
#15
03-01-15, 06:23 AM
Group Moderator
I pretty much do what Pulpo posted, but I figure it by the hour for labor. The thing about estimating a job is that you want to cover your butt so you don't end up working for nothing.
A better option would be to give him a "not to exceed" price and then do the job time and material. Say $75 an hour plus whatever material you buy.
A better option would be to give him a "not to exceed" price and then do the job time and material. Say $75 an hour plus whatever material you buy.
#16
03-01-15, 06:54 AM
It's okay to calculate the price using an hourly rate in your mind but never tell the customer that you are doing that. That way, they don't stand there looking at the clock & try to rush you so that they can get more work done before the day is done. I tell people that I will give them a price for the job.
#17
03-01-15, 07:07 AM
Member
I agree that giving a firm price is a good way to do a job when the scope is clearly defined, but many times it isn't. When it isn't clearly defined, figure worst case and use the "Not To Exceed" method Tolyn mentioned.
#18
03-01-15, 07:12 AM
Let's say it's a job that requires the removal of paneling & the repairing the walls. You have no idea what is behind the paneling. In that case, I'll give a range with the "not to exceed" or similar wording.
#19
03-01-15, 07:17 AM
In my head I always doubled the time I thought it would take then again in my head figured labor cost (which included things like materials I didn't charge for, truck costs, and other fixed costs). Then I bid labor plus actual cost of materials to be determined at the end of the job.. Material cost was listed as estimate only may be higher. My proposals always contained a disclaimer: Price may be more due to hidden problems.
Don't scribble on a piece of paper. Buy a proposal pad from an office supply or design your own and print on computer. Always do a carbon and get a signature of acceptance of the bid and terms.
Don't scribble on a piece of paper. Buy a proposal pad from an office supply or design your own and print on computer. Always do a carbon and get a signature of acceptance of the bid and terms.
#20
03-01-15, 09:50 AM
Group Moderator
My boss always said he makes more money on a bid job then T&M and I can see why. When I bid, I tend to take worst case scenario so the bid will be higher then it would be on straight T&M. Most cases I come out OK, some times I do not. A lot of people do not like the unknown so they are more comfortable with a set price even if they could come out better on T&M.
#21
03-01-15, 10:02 AM
The large garage we built in the fall was similar. I gave the guy a good estimate, but my forms have a disclaimer that cost of materials can vary, and changes will entail upcharges. He wanted me to delete those statements, although I had figured them pretty closely and could live with my estimate. I deleted them and added $2000 to the estimate. He was happy and told me to proceed. He even paid upcharges for things he wanted done that were not in the contract, so we won on that one. Just have to be careful.
Sorry if I was hateful in my comments, but I still ain't doing homework for someone who needs experience first. Make your estimate fair to yourself, fair to the customer, and stick to it. Even if you get bit, you learn.
Sorry if I was hateful in my comments, but I still ain't doing homework for someone who needs experience first. Make your estimate fair to yourself, fair to the customer, and stick to it. Even if you get bit, you learn.
#22
03-01-15, 11:42 AM
Member
I work in the commercial sector and if I was sent to do a shed my boss would use his rule of thumb of 3 devices per hour. Mind you I deal with running emt and pulling wire, but he would estimate 3 receptacles piped pulled and installed within an hour, resi should have some sort of rule of thumb for that also.
The pvc is cut and paste, shouldn't take you long at all. I like Pulpos advice of determining what you want for the day. Its a good way to light a fire under your butt too if you're being paid a lump sum for the day, the faster you get it done, the more you just made hourly.
EDIT: I'm not going to lecture you on doing uninsured work, but do be careful. I'm not sure where you are from, but where I live if I did some side work and something went wrong (fire etc.) I would be blacklisted with the apprenticeship board and never get my ticket. I'll do work for family since I know they wouldn't throw me under the bus, but strangers you have to be careful with.
The pvc is cut and paste, shouldn't take you long at all. I like Pulpos advice of determining what you want for the day. Its a good way to light a fire under your butt too if you're being paid a lump sum for the day, the faster you get it done, the more you just made hourly.
EDIT: I'm not going to lecture you on doing uninsured work, but do be careful. I'm not sure where you are from, but where I live if I did some side work and something went wrong (fire etc.) I would be blacklisted with the apprenticeship board and never get my ticket. I'll do work for family since I know they wouldn't throw me under the bus, but strangers you have to be careful with.
#23
03-01-15, 11:46 AM
One other bit of wisdom from been-there-done-that. If the wife makes changes and the husband is writing the check be sure both spouses are on the same page. On one of my first jobs about 30 years ago when I was almost done remodeling a bathroom the wife decided she didn't like where the bathtub and water heater were and wanted them moved. I did. January and another few days laying in cold water under the house. When I gave the husband the bill he asked me how many days I'd actually worked then after some scribbling on paper yelled, "That is almost six dollars per hours. I could have hired someone at the bar to do it for $4/hour."
#24
03-01-15, 01:50 PM
Member
I'm not sure where you are from, but where I live if I did some side work and something went wrong (fire etc.) I would be blacklisted with the apprenticeship board and never get my ticket.
#25
03-02-15, 03:24 PM
Member
You're absolutely right Joe.
The way I see it, its only 4 years of twiddling my thumbs and accepting my hourly rate before the big money can start rolling in.
The way I see it, its only 4 years of twiddling my thumbs and accepting my hourly rate before the big money can start rolling in.
#26
03-02-15, 03:54 PM
Group Moderator
before the big money can start rolling in.
In Northern NJ where I'm from.... I'm having a hard time finding plumbers to run gas lines for generator installs. Then when I do find one.... he's asking (and getting) twice what I'm getting. What's up with that.
(please don't contact me to run gas lines)
