Estimating

fjgjaft

Ok folks, I am about to give my first estimate and your opinions are greatly appreciated. I have a customer who wants a 12x16 screened in porch, nothing fancy, with a shed roof. I am going to do majority of the work myself. Minus the electrical...4 recessed lights and a ceiling fan. On an existing second floor deck(only 5 years old). I'm thinking $6800.00. Your thoughts???
THANKS!
fjg.

Cole

My price would be $6801 so, I think you are ok.

__________________
Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

dougchips

How much are your materials?

How much does the electrican want?

How many hours will it take?

How much do you like to make an hour?

How much do you want left over for your business?

How much will gas cost you?

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

jiggyjack

My two cents;

Talk every little detail over with the homeowner. Like how are the screens to be attached, simple baton or do they want custom made removable. What kind of door if any. Screwed or nailed, what kind of a handrail setup.

It's really easy to throw a number at a job then get started and realize your vision and the customers vision was very different, and in that case you have to keep the HO happy so you can easily end up taking it in the shorts.

To sum up go over every detail with the home owner then start thinking on a price. This is also why I usually charge for a bid. I cost a little more but The HO always knows exactly what they will get in writing.

Once you know what they want dougchips formula works.

concretemasonry

Since it is an addition anf I know nothing about the new job, I bid $6799 since I assume you know the scope of the job.

Now it is up to you to explain how you have considered everyting and why he should pay $1.00 more than my know-nothing bid.

Give him some reasons and confidence in your experience, ability and quality.

That is the difference between estimating, bidding and finally selling. You can make more if you can justify a higher price and still get the work.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

Celtic

EXCELLENT POINT!!!

If you are having any other trades invited for the party ...get some numbers from them BEFORE you commit to a number to Harry Homeowner.

__________________

Cole

I couldn't agree more!

You will wind up getting eaten alive at first if you do not know how much to charge for other trades work.

__________________
Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

Doug M

Figure out all your material costs.Sub costs(have them see the job and give you a price)Then figure out how long it will take you to do the job and what you need to/want to, make in that time,,,then add 20 percent.After the job is done you can use that as your base to price other jobs.....good luck

Doug M

Magnettica

Probably $800.00 for 4 hi-hats and 1 ceiling fan.

Anything else like cleaning up old wires, dimmers, 3-ways, flood lamps, etc... will of course be more.

__________________
Electrician service in Rahway, Cranford, Clark, Westfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Roselle, Roselle Park, and New Jersey | Same day electrical service and repairs | Licensed and Insured Electrician in Rahway

Murphy

It is always tough entering into the business and trying to price things. That is what experience brings.
To me your price is about 2000 too low but that is my market. What kind of siding, what is the ceiling going to be, what are the permits going to cost, do you need to add support for the shed roof at the edge of the deck, sounds like it is a two story so it is very probable.
Good luck and I hope you arent in my market.
Murph

j_sims

Are you cutting into the existing roof and tying into the existing rafters or ...attaching to the fascia ( at least I hope you're not tacking it on the rafter tails or fascia.)

How accessible is the work area...if it's in the back of the house that can be time consuming,ie; daily setup and tear down, material delivery, clean up...etc, .... not to mention it's on the second floor?!

I get anywhere from $45-$65 (or more) sq ft., depending on type of
materials used and conditions of the site. That's ground floor price, Second story for $6800? Not hardly! (But my price is tailored to what I have to have for my O/H.)



I wouldn't "probably" nothing in figuring a sub...If your plugging in a price YOU think sounds about right, that will come back and bite you in the keister.

Oh...and I notice your trade is a Fabian .... Do you have to be licensed for that?

__________________
TEXAS Born, TEXAS Bred, When I Die, I'll be TEXAS Dead