HELP HELP!!!!!How Much Should I Charge Per Sq. Foot???

dirt diggler

Should I get a license?
What kind of truck should I drive?
What if my client wants to marry my cousin?
How much time does this take??
Should I get a Construction Management Degree?
What if my client's cousin wants to marry me??
How many square feet ...?
How many cubic yards ...?
How do I do an estimate?
What if my client's cousin turns out to be my cousin and I married my client?
How do I replace a laundry sink?




yes ... im being a prick right now ... if you're offended --- STOP a second and think WHY you are offended. Be a "businessman" for one moment here (i.e. be cool ... read ... absorb ... now ... analyze yourself -- BE HONEST --- and think how this applies to you)



Man - I thought I was green. I didn't come with 10 years experience in what I do now ... I've always just been exposed to construction. I wouldn't say it comes natural AT ALL --- it's just exposure and various experiences (outside trade-specific) that help.

I DO NOT know it all ... I only am JUST NOW feeling like I'm scratching the surface on this business. Hell --- I could wind up looking in the employment section on craigslist 2 months from now. You never know.



What I DO know is that this business ... i mean you need the wits, the charm, the tenacity, endurance, the ... etc --- AND

common sense


I've been on my own for 3 years. I'm just about past my 1,000 day mark. That doesn't mean I'm automatically "safe" --- it just means that instead of being in the "75% businesses fail in the first year" statistic ---- I'm now in the "75% of businesses that make it to their first year will fail before the 5th"

(or whatever the stat is)


you CANNOT succeed in this business by using the internet. A question here and there like "benefits of LLC vs. S-Corp" --- yeah, great, let's learn something.


But not knowing --- or having an inkling of estimating for a project you ARE ABOUT to bid on???

and then coming on the internet ... waiting for someone to tell you "oh just mark it up 20%"



I'll get some flaming and "boo's" from writing this im sure ...

but I'm pretty proud of this "industry" ... and I salute and have all the respect in the world for those who have succeeded in it --- cuz it is TOUGH.


So I can't help but to be a bit "disillusioned" whenever someone asks "how much should I charge per square foot"


if this offends anyone - my apologies - ya'll are good souls ...

but, again -- if you this "hits home" ... and you want some advice/want to learn something ...


think about this ...


stepping off soap box

roofwiz74

so.....how much should I charge a sq.for shingles.
thanks.
I'm in the biz just not sure how to bid shingles

__________________
You have ONE advantage over me.....you can kiss my butt and I can't!!

jbfan

I will let you bid $1.00 a square, but you have to come to my house!!!

__________________
We are the people (our parents warned us about) (Jimmy Buffett)

mahlere

dirt,

you've hurt my feelings. deeply, deeply hurt

ruskent

What to charge per a square foot?????

As much as physically possibile.

I know my hourly rate needs to be atleast X amount. But if i think i can get more then that i will go for it.

dirt diggler

you weasel

mahlere

now, you really hurt me more

Metrojoebarbs

Dig,
Start with the small glasses and chase them with the big glasses

Forry

What did I do to offend you???

I just wanted to know how to install a pool, and thought you'd want to help...

mikesewell

Should I get a license?
No just drive slowly, and you'll probably never get stopped.

What kind of truck should I drive?
A blue one. They're the best.

What if my client wants to marry my cousin?
Get a finders fee. Hundred bucks should be about right.

How much time does this take??
Depends on how drunk she is.

Should I get a Construction Management Degree?
No. It would spoil our fun.

What if my client's cousin wants to marry me??
What does she look like?

How many square feet ...?
Where you gonna find square shoes? Dumb question.

How many cubic yards ...?
Don't know, the boss always figured that.

How do I do an estimate?
Just guess, or pull the numbers out of your elbow.

What if my client's cousin turns out to be my cousin and I married my client?
Then you're gonna be doing her work for free.

How do I replace a laundry sink?
Just like making love to a porcupine...VERY carefully.

__________________
Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

Metrojoebarbs

Mike you forgot the PRICELESS part

dirt diggler

HEY! where've you been Forry??

Forry

Been sittin in the sun drinkin' mai tai's with my shades on on the beautiful isle of Maui for a couple weeks... Needed a breather after all that time spent on the net chattin' with contractors. Better now, I needed the break.

58hydraglide

How do I make enough $$ to do the same? I already have a blue truck.

Magnettica

You're coming up on your 1,000th day? How could that be if you've been in business for only 3 years? Well, now that I think of it you probably could have worked all 365 days of each year but of all those days they all can't be billable working days. Or could they?

Look, I'm not in business for myself yet but plan to be one day.

Congratulations to you.

I also drive blue work van.

dirt diggler

Thanks Mag- but no "congrats" are in order ... thread's not about me anyways


hopefully next year i can afford to buy a blue truck

mikesewell

I learned that one from my uncle. He used to BE a mechanic. Besides, that's the way that we've been doing it for 30 years and we've never had a problem...

__________________
Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

dirt diggler

seriously, i am lol-ling




mike how much would your Uncle charge me per estimate to come up with a linear footage for my basement job with paint?????

Tell him I've been looking on the internet and have found anywhere from between $5 - $90 per sq. ft --- but my customer wants me to do it per linear so i guess i should, right?????

Oh --- also ask him if he thinks I need to get a degree in Construction???


THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!!

DD

Jeremy E

Blue trucks are nice, but for small jobs and punch-list stuff you should be able to get away with a red truck. Red trucks can carry almost as much stuff as blue trucks, plus they look better in bright sunlight. I once had a yellow truck, but it was a piece of trash. I'll never buy a yellow truck again...

Driftwood

Most of our work is strictly Time and Materials

SOO when the customer says "Well how long will it take,and how much will it cost ?" I say with a smile "I"ll let You know at the end of the job !"

Hang tough Oh and Here is one that allways works.
when you give the fixed estimate you verbelize all the work and materials. INCLUDE what it doesn't include. Than always an odd dollar amount, OK mrs. Jones all that comes to $38,574. NOW YOU FREEZE and say Nothing. THE first one that speaks looses. This IS called a pregnant
pause. Its uncomfortable and people need to say something.Doubt Me?
Try it! It has Never let Me down. this is My 45th rear in the trades