Labor Rate For Colorado Springs

patrickdeboard

Hi, guys. I'm relocating to Colorado Springs from Dallas. I'm a home repair/remodeling/wheelchair ramps/wheelchair modifications contractor. My labor rate here in Dallas has been in the neighborhood of $65-75 per hour. Most of my clients think I have been too high, and I have been landing probably around 1/3 of my estimates. After 9/11 I came down on my price a little, because the market slowed down here. I went down to $60, then $50, and am now at $40, which is just too low. I'm getting 100% of my estimates! Some of my competition here charges a labor rate of $55 for the sole proprietor, to $79 for the franchises. I'm wondering what the case is in Colorado Springs, and if there's a way I can find out without actually BEING there. I make my initial move there, to set up, a week from tomorrow. I really would like to charge $55 an hour, no markup on materials, no trip charge, because it will give me what I want for income, and I hope it is attractive to CS HO's. But, is it a competitive price? Anybody know? Thanks!

RobertCDF

I am not a handy man myself so I dont know the rate for sure. But I am sure I have hear the number 60-75 kicked around before. I think you would have no problem getting $55+ an hour if you do good work. Just BEWARE! new housing is down and there are going to be a lot of framers out thinking they can do remodel/handyman work. If you are interested in doing things that require permits you will need to get a license. Having a homeowner pull a permit for you in the springs is ILLEGAL. You can get some info at http://www.pprbd.com

What part of town are you looking to move into?

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patrickdeboard

That's good news, Robert, thanks. I do do good work. All Texan carpenters say they are the best, but they are so full of s... In my case, I don't have many peers. if you have nothing to do, check out my website, www.deboardconstructionservices.com it's a work-in-progress. if you go to the contents page, you can see some specific things i do, that i need to edit and re-link to the rest of the site. I'm going to be camping at first, because it's been too long, and will pass out flyers in affluent neighborhoods to try to generate work. I'd been planning to put the labor rate on the flyers, plus "no markup, no trip/service charges", in order to show folks I'm a good deal. You think that's okay? ONce i get work going (hopefully before a month is over), i will try to find a more permanent living situation.

dirt diggler

No it is not okay!!

ugh,


Look up in the general discussion board (--- I'm not gonna rehash things that have been said over and over up there).

Burge Remodelin

Another Texan tring to come here and take our work! Just kidding!. Not!
No really though, Good luck trying to even find work here but you will soon find out. I have been in business in Colorado Springs for 15 years, I advertise, I have a large customer base, but things have dried up. The only calls im getting each day are people asking the same old question "are you hiring"?

About your rate, if everyone would hold thier prices at about $50.00 per hour, The people who are "real contractors" in Colorado Springs, we might be able to hang in there and make it through this really crappy time. Problem is, we are getting our throats cut from every Tom, Dick, and Harry who goes to kinkos and has some flyers and business cards printed up and low balls all of the work because they have no overhead. Im sorry but this ticks me off to no end. I have a building, Insurance, advertising, phones, utilities, internet costs, Insurance, etc, etc. But i do understand it is a country of free enterprise. Just my opinion. Im tired of these guys blowing into town, raping what work there is to be had and then bailing later while the rest of us who have been here for A LONG, LONG, TIME, trying to be as upstanding as possible, we get left holding the bag, and were still here after they all leave....HOPEFULLY!

neolitic

Uh, Burge?
The thread is over two years old.
A bit late to advise him on the move.
Probably froze to death in his tent
that November anyway.

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