On Site Ballpark Bids

zipicus

I truly tried to stay away from doing this, cause I do believe it's important to sit back and think about everything you might run into on a project before bidding it. I have never lost a bid cause I didn't give them a price right there and then(in fact I've lost the last 2 that I did on site BP for), I say I will get back to them in 24hrs, and I do, Even if it's some thing I've done a million times, I like to crunch the #'s a little bit. But this weekend I did it again and I regretted it cause I thought of a couple things after the fact. I honestly feel I will never do it again. As far as doing ballpark bids, how much have you re-adjusted it on the final bid? Did you lose the bid after adjusting it?

Warren

I will only do this if I am bidding a very simple rough framing job. I would never do this as a general contractor. Too many variables and things you wont even think of til later. Framing is my specialty, as I have done it almost exclusively for 25 years, so I feel comfortable giving a firm price on the most basic house. As a GC, I like to meet with homeowners, discuss possibilities, take lots of pictures of existing, and then crunch the numbers. I do like to get back to them ASAP but sometimes 24 hours is not enough time to even give them a "ballpark" I think if the job is completed with no changes, (like that would ever happen) the final price should be within 10% of the original ballpark price. Its nice to set the ballpark a little high, as this will give you an idea as to how serious the client is. First meeting is also a good time to find out how they are going to finance the project. If the financing is uncertain, the project is not going to happen regardless of the price.

rbsremodeling

I give ball park pricing on the spot on almost all my estimates. I am usually never off more than 5%.

I give a range to make up for the 5% so i will say the bathroom is between 15-20K etc.

I have never really been burned doing ballpark estimating it is the standard practice in my area

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Gus Dering

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer by no means, But...

That is more like 25 - 30 percent range.

rbsremodeling

The range I give the customer is 25-30% but the number I conclude in my head when I go back and run the hard cost and price I am usually no more than 5% off of what I thought it would be. The range I give covers the 5% error of margin

I even factor in a few extra ryobi saws and blades when I am doing kitchen cabinetry.

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Gus Dering

[quote=rbsremodeling;716304
I even factor in a few extra ryobi saws and blades when I am doing kitchen cabinetry.[/quote]

It would be easier to figure an extra $2000 in shipping and let me build them for you and I'll figure the blade cost in my firm number.

Splinter

Shipping is a lot less from Leo in Connecticut, and even less from me in NY.

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- Alex

Long Island Remodeling Contractor

Leo G

I was going to say the same thing as Gus. But I see how you are doing it in your head. I can see shipping a whole kitchen as quite an expense. But I'd do it for ya Rory.


I hate doing ballpark figures. In general they will get you in trouble. There is usually something you will forget. They always remember the ballpark figure - always. And if your firm price comes up higher there will be a lot of but but but your ball park figure was lower. After that they will think you are trying to rip them off. I will avoid the ballpark as hard as I can. If they insist I will do it. But I will always tell them it might not even be close by the time we finish discussing everything as things progress.

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

rbsremodeling

Leo two questions.

Can you beat Gus' cabinet prices by $350?

Do you use a Ryobi Saw?

If you can answer yest to those to your my cabinet supplier. I don't need no stinkin Gus

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Gus Dering

Hey!
I'm right here, I can read too.
Bastid

Leo G

Of course I can....I have a Ryobi detail sander..close enough?

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

rbsremodeling

Stop interrupting my negotiations. S.O.T

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rbsremodeling

Cool we got a deal Bump Gus

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Leo G

Sweet....I'll send Gus some wine or something in lue of the kitchen job....Sounds fair to me

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

Gus Dering

I can beat the hell out of anyone's price when I really want to. May not make money but Leo won't either if I do it.

I know cabinetmakers from here that ship whole kitchens to Hawaii and the east coast. They say it is not that expensive. HD and Lowes does it.

Screw you and that S.O.T. BS

Gus Dering

You have Trader Joes there don't you?

None of that two buck Chuck that you drink, Leo. I'm in the wine country here and my tastes have changed as my hair got grayer.

Leo G

[Almost] Anything you want Gus..as soon as the dotted line is signed.

I have never heard of them Gus, so I Googled it. There are quite a few in CT. All the listings had asterisk on them - no alcohol sold at these stores. LAME

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

Gus Dering

Be careful Leo, he is a slippery character.

You know I quoted him custom boxes for $150 a ft right? Now you are going under that. HD is 2X those numbers.

knucklehead

I used to have a neighbor named Gus. And another one named Leo. Seriously

Leo G

Were they both a$$es?

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut