How Much Should YOU Charge?

B.K · 06-15-2009, 08:09 PM

What should YOU charge?

I’ve only been a member here for a few months, and I have been completely surprised with the amount of questions, regarding “How much should I charge?” I have mostly run these people off the face of the website, and with the last few posts, it has got me wondering, “what the heck?

Before you post a question about how much YOU should charge to do whatever it is you don’t know how to price, please remember a few things.

1) No matter where your from, you should understand something. There are people in YOUR area that are trying to make an honest living in construction. They have the knowledge and the confidence to actual price a job accordingly, so they can get all the materials and pay everybody at a reasonable rate.

When you are submitting a post, about how much YOU should charge, think about that. Because you clearly don’t know how much things cost and/or how much people get paid to do what they do. That tells us the Contractors that you obviously haven’t been around the construction field very long to understand these principles, or you don’t understand how much a person of a certain skill is.

2) Educate yourself. I can’t stress that enough, take a walk down to an apprenticeship office, they have more than enough information to get you heading in the right direction.

3) Try to understand, a simple job can turn into quite the story in less time than you blink an eye.

Example: Your dry-walling your friends basement, he’s going to pay you cash for the weekend your going to work. Your thinking this is a quick easy buck.

You start saturday, nobody is home and your struggling with a piece of drywall above your head screws handing out of your month, and your fumbling around with the screw-gun. You finally get the ceiling done, your ready to tackle the walls, you decide your not going to measure the outlets, just tack the drywall on and cut out the box.

As you start to cut out the box, you don’t take the time to think, “Is the power shut off down here?” So you put that metal saw blade into that hot wired box. Next thing you know you got a jolt so bad that your heart has stopped, and your out cold.

Nobody is home, your passed out in the basement, and you just been electrocuted. You wait for 2 hours till somebody finds you downstairs, rushes you to the hospital, but since nobody was around you unfortuanetly pass away.

True story. Had it happen to a good friend of mine,

Things like this can happen. Its scary and it may be a one in a million shot, but it doesn’t change the fact that it can happen.

Now your family which you left behind is suing your best friend.

4)There is a reason where called professionals, not to tug on my own chain, we are. Some of us have first aid courses trained to save people lives incase an invent like this happens. Also there are many other courses that are ment to keep us and the people around us safe.

I do know that everybody doesn’t think of us this way. A lot however think we just bang nails all day, because we didn’t have the drive or focus to put ourselves through school, witch we all know is complete bull ****.

Before you hit that “Submit” button, think about this. What are you doing? Your putting yourself on a different playing field than everybody else. Your not insured incase something happens, you may not have any training incase an accident happens,. You obviously don’t have a clue on how to run a job, and you should NEVER stiff arm hard working people for a simple few pennies.

We all try our best to get by. Just because our life out in the field is a little different, doesn’t mean we should be down-graded to idiots.

-Bill Kelly

ampman · 06-15-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.K

What should YOU charge?

I’ve only been a member here for a few months, and I have been completely surprised with the amount of questions, regarding “How much should I charge?” I have mostly run these people off the face of the website, and with the last few posts, it has got me wondering, “what the heck?

Before you post a question about how much YOU should charge to do whatever it is you don’t know how to price, please remember a few things.

1) No matter where your from, you should understand something. There are people in YOUR area that are trying to make an honest living in construction. They have the knowledge and the confidence to actual price a job accordingly, so they can get all the materials and pay everybody at a reasonable rate.

When you are submitting a post, about how much YOU should charge, think about that. Because you clearly don’t know how much things cost and/or how much people get paid to do what they do. That tells us the Contractors that you obviously haven’t been around the construction field very long to understand these principles, or you don’t understand how much a person of a certain skill is.

2) Educate yourself. I can’t stress that enough, take a walk down to an apprenticeship office, they have more than enough information to get you heading in the right direction.

3) Try to understand, a simple job can turn into quite the story in less time than you blink an eye.

Example: Your dry-walling your friends basement, he’s going to pay you cash for the weekend your going to work. Your thinking this is a quick easy buck.

You start saturday, nobody is home and your struggling with a piece of drywall above your head screws handing out of your month, and your fumbling around with the screw-gun. You finally get the ceiling done, your ready to tackle the walls, you decide your not going to measure the outlets, just tack the drywall on and cut out the box.

As you start to cut out the box, you don’t take the time to think, “Is the power shut off down here?” So you put that metal saw blade into that hot wired box. Next thing you know you got a jolt so bad that your heart has stopped, and your out cold.

Nobody is home, your passed out in the basement, and you just been electrocuted. You wait for 2 hours till somebody finds you downstairs, rushes you to the hospital, but since nobody was around you unfortuanetly pass away.

True story. Had it happen to a good friend of mine,

Things like this can happen. Its scary and it may be a one in a million shot, but it doesn’t change the fact that it can happen.

Now your family which you left behind is suing your best friend.

4)There is a reason where called professionals, not to tug on my own chain, we are. Some of us have first aid courses trained to save people lives incase an invent like this happens. Also there are many other courses that are ment to keep us and the people around us safe.

I do know that everybody doesn’t think of us this way. A lot however think we just bang nails all day, because we didn’t have the drive or focus to put ourselves through school, witch we all know is complete bull ****.

Before you hit that “Submit” button, think about this. What are you doing? Your putting yourself on a different playing field than everybody else. Your not insured incase something happens, you may not have any training incase an accident happens,. You obviously don’t have a clue on how to run a job, and you should NEVER stiff arm hard working people for a simple few pennies.

We all try our best to get by. Just because our life out in the field is a little different, doesn’t mean we should be down-graded to idiots.

-Bill Kelly

what ???

willworkforbeer · 06-15-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampman

what ???

He forget to take his medication, again.

Darwin · 06-15-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.K

What should YOU charge?

3) Try to understand, a simple job can turn into quite the story in less time than you blink an eye.

-Bill Kelly

The truth.

CScalf · 06-15-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willworkforbeer

He forget to take his medication, again.

Maybe...

ampman · 06-15-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willworkforbeer

He forget to take his medication, again.

makes perfect sense then

greg24k · 06-15-2009, 08:40 PM

Bill, that was a good story

Funny thing is, s^*t like this happens only when you doing somebody a favor and doing the work for free

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampman

what ???

WarnerConstInc. · 06-15-2009, 08:50 PM

I would charge 3.75. I feel I am a bit better than the standard 3.50.

B.K · 06-16-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

I would charge 3.75. I feel I am a bit better than the standard 3.50.

4.00 even, makes working them numbers easier.

Just had to let off some stream, (Breaths in + Breaths out)...Giddy up, i hope some people (you know who you are) have your fire suit on.....

-Bill

Magnettica · 06-16-2009, 06:07 PM

I'm refinishing some doors right now and battling the rain every 15 minutes or so. Anyway, she is a good friend of mine and I've done lots of work for her over the years but it's mostly electrical work in the past. I told her I'd like to help with the doors to get some experience refinishing doors. No, i am not a painter but I have done some staining before on small projects but never on old oak doors. To make a long story short, she decides she'd like to help with the staining and she decides to stain the trim around the 15 windows on the door. It looks horrible. Some parts too much stain, some parts none at all. One night she decided to do a second coat but the trouble is I already did the 2nd coat! Now it is all dark, and sticky, and "caked on" is the best way to describe it. The one door i did alone without any help looks pretty damn good. She thinks all the doors look good. I haven't said anything but the 2 doors she's worked on look like crap but as long as she's ok with them I'm not gonna say anything, then again, I would prefer she not tell her friends who refinished the doors so I can save face.

greg24k · 06-16-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

She thinks all the doors look good. I haven't said anything but the 2 doors she's worked on look like crap but as long as she's ok with them I'm not gonna say anything, then again, I would prefer she not tell her friends who refinished the doors so I can save face.

Nice job Bro, I am proud of you

rwa · 06-16-2009, 10:03 PM

I'd charge $4.50 and hire Warner to do the job.

WarnerConstInc. · 06-16-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwa

I'd charge $4.50 and hire Warner to do the job.

Thats fine but, I will have to charge a milage fee, mobilization fee, inconvience fee, a per diem fee (I like to eat at strip clubs), and a snazzy tool fee.

Hmmmm.....let me run the numbers..

Simple, $400.00

Ok when do I start?

knucklehead · 06-16-2009, 11:09 PM

It will all work out ,man

rwa · 06-16-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

Thats fine but, I will have to charge a milage fee, mobilization fee, inconvience fee, a per diem fee (I like to eat at strip clubs), and a snazzy tool fee.

Hmmmm.....let me run the numbers..

Simple, $400.00

Ok when do I start?

I'll meet you for lunch at your favorite club and we'll discuss it

Dustyrose · 06-16-2009, 11:40 PM

I advertise only on CL, make the HO provide all the materials, borrow my brothers tools, and have my Mom drop me off at the job site. I can do the job cheaper then all of you. $1.25

Sometimes I like to make up those groovy cardboard signs and nail them to telephone poles. That shows customers how creative I am.

lakesidemx · 06-17-2009, 06:43 PM

Interesting information I will use it next time I give an estimate

B.K · 06-17-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakesidemx

Interesting information I will use it next time I give an estimate

Make sure you take a picture of your potential customers faces after you say that.

Send me the photo, and if they are cheering and chanting my name, i'll be sure to drop my tool belt and start writing a book.

Anything less than that will not cut it....they HAVE to cheer my name, no matter what!

-Bill

B.K · 06-17-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

I'm refinishing some doors right now and battling the rain every 15 minutes or so. Anyway, she is a good friend of mine and I've done lots of work for her over the years but it's mostly electrical work in the past. I told her I'd like to help with the doors to get some experience refinishing doors. No, i am not a painter but I have done some staining before on small projects but never on old oak doors. To make a long story short, she decides she'd like to help with the staining and she decides to stain the trim around the 15 windows on the door. It looks horrible. Some parts too much stain, some parts none at all. One night she decided to do a second coat but the trouble is I already did the 2nd coat! Now it is all dark, and sticky, and "caked on" is the best way to describe it. The one door i did alone without any help looks pretty damn good. She thinks all the doors look good. I haven't said anything but the 2 doors she's worked on look like crap but as long as she's ok with them I'm not gonna say anything, then again, I would prefer she not tell her friends who refinished the doors so I can save face.

Nice job bud! Sometimes you just gotta get in there and try it, the more times you do it the better you get at it.

-Bill

06-15-2009, 08:09 PM	#1
B.K View Profile B.K Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (141) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Carpenter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Saint John, N.B Posts: 141	How Much Should YOU Charge? What should YOU charge? I’ve only been a member here for a few months, and I have been completely surprised with the amount of questions, regarding “How much should I charge?” I have mostly run these people off the face of the website, and with the last few posts, it has got me wondering, “what the heck? Before you post a question about how much YOU should charge to do whatever it is you don’t know how to price, please remember a few things. 1) No matter where your from, you should understand something. There are people in YOUR area that are trying to make an honest living in construction. They have the knowledge and the confidence to actual price a job accordingly, so they can get all the materials and pay everybody at a reasonable rate. When you are submitting a post, about how much YOU should charge, think about that. Because you clearly don’t know how much things cost and/or how much people get paid to do what they do. That tells us the Contractors that you obviously haven’t been around the construction field very long to understand these principles, or you don’t understand how much a person of a certain skill is. 2) Educate yourself. I can’t stress that enough, take a walk down to an apprenticeship office, they have more than enough information to get you heading in the right direction. 3) Try to understand, a simple job can turn into quite the story in less time than you blink an eye. Example: Your dry-walling your friends basement, he’s going to pay you cash for the weekend your going to work. Your thinking this is a quick easy buck. You start saturday, nobody is home and your struggling with a piece of drywall above your head screws handing out of your month, and your fumbling around with the screw-gun. You finally get the ceiling done, your ready to tackle the walls, you decide your not going to measure the outlets, just tack the drywall on and cut out the box. As you start to cut out the box, you don’t take the time to think, “Is the power shut off down here?” So you put that metal saw blade into that hot wired box. Next thing you know you got a jolt so bad that your heart has stopped, and your out cold. Nobody is home, your passed out in the basement, and you just been electrocuted. You wait for 2 hours till somebody finds you downstairs, rushes you to the hospital, but since nobody was around you unfortuanetly pass away. True story. Had it happen to a good friend of mine, Things like this can happen. Its scary and it may be a one in a million shot, but it doesn’t change the fact that it can happen. Now your family which you left behind is suing your best friend. 4)There is a reason where called professionals, not to tug on my own chain, we are. Some of us have first aid courses trained to save people lives incase an invent like this happens. Also there are many other courses that are ment to keep us and the people around us safe. I do know that everybody doesn’t think of us this way. A lot however think we just bang nails all day, because we didn’t have the drive or focus to put ourselves through school, witch we all know is complete bull **. Before you hit that “Submit” button, think about this. What are you doing? Your putting yourself on a different playing field than everybody else. Your not insured incase something happens, you may not have any training incase an accident happens,. You obviously don’t have a clue on how to run a job, and you should NEVER stiff arm hard working people for a simple few pennies. We all try our best to get by. Just because our life out in the field is a little different, doesn’t mean we should be down-graded to idiots. -Bill Kelly __________________ You laugh because I'm different........... I laugh cause I just farted!**

06-15-2009, 08:50 PM	#8
WarnerConstInc. View Profile WarnerConstInc. I like Green things Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (11,677) Photos (0) Reviews (9) Projects (1) Toolbox (10) View All Activity I like Green things Trade: Custom Carpentry Services Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a van, down by the river. Auburn, IN Posts: 11,677	Re: How Much Should YOU Charge? I would charge 3.75. I feel I am a bit better than the standard 3.50.

06-16-2009, 06:07 PM	#10
Magnettica View Profile Magnettica Service & Repairs Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (3,998) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Service & Repairs Trade: Electrician Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rahway, New Jersey Posts: 3,998	Re: How Much Should YOU Charge? I'm refinishing some doors right now and battling the rain every 15 minutes or so. Anyway, she is a good friend of mine and I've done lots of work for her over the years but it's mostly electrical work in the past. I told her I'd like to help with the doors to get some experience refinishing doors. No, i am not a painter but I have done some staining before on small projects but never on old oak doors. To make a long story short, she decides she'd like to help with the staining and she decides to stain the trim around the 15 windows on the door. It looks horrible. Some parts too much stain, some parts none at all. One night she decided to do a second coat but the trouble is I already did the 2nd coat! Now it is all dark, and sticky, and "caked on" is the best way to describe it. The one door i did alone without any help looks pretty damn good. She thinks all the doors look good. I haven't said anything but the 2 doors she's worked on look like crap but as long as she's ok with them I'm not gonna say anything, then again, I would prefer she not tell her friends who refinished the doors so I can save face. __________________ 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

06-16-2009, 10:03 PM	#12
rwa View Profile rwa Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (487) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: General Contractor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mansfield, Texas Posts: 487	Re: How Much Should YOU Charge? I'd charge $4.50 and hire Warner to do the job.

06-16-2009, 11:09 PM	#14
knucklehead View Profile knucklehead Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,923) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Framing,Remodeling,General Contractor Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,923	Re: How Much Should YOU Charge? It will all work out ,man

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06-16-2009, 11:40 PM	#16
Dustyrose View Profile Dustyrose Painter/Rehaber Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (398) Photos (6) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Painter/Rehaber Trade: Painter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 398	Re: How Much Should YOU Charge? I advertise only on CL, make the HO provide all the materials, borrow my brothers tools, and have my Mom drop me off at the job site. I can do the job cheaper then all of you. $1.25 Sometimes I like to make up those groovy cardboard signs and nail them to telephone poles. That shows customers how creative I am. __________________ Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them. Paul Valery

06-17-2009, 06:43 PM	#17
lakesidemx View Profile lakesidemx Registered User Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (3) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Registered User Trade: A1 Roofing and Construction Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3	Re: How Much Should YOU Charge? Interesting information I will use it next time I give an estimate

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