Fair Pricing

Ccarpenter

I am starting to go out on my own installing trim. I am getting mixed signals about what I should charge for my work. I want the work, but at the same time I want to not be the lowest bidder, because I take my time and do quality work.

I am biding a job for a home in the 300k - 400k price range.
base 900 ln ft
crown 450 ln ft
picture mold 50 ln ft
chair rail 50 ln ft
shadow boxes 50 ln ft
34 windows
33 doors
1 fold down stairs
3 garage doors

stairs-
retread 23 steps
34 ln ft handrail
28 ln ft grab rail
14 ln ft wall cap
39 ln ft landing tread
6 newel post
5 1/2 newel post
16 ln ft skirt board

I bid 5,000. Is that a fair price for Georgia or is it too high.
Thanks for your help!

send_it_all

I almost guarantee you'll get the job. After just doing math in my head for 20 seconds, I would probably charge about twice that amount.

jvsloan

I'd be in the ten to twelve thousand range. You're killing yourself if you're doing it for five thousand.

kevbo

You call that starting out!!!

wink

i smell something fishy here

angle wrangler

$5000 is average just for the stairs!

joasis

Just so you know, I pay our trim subs $1.25 a sq/ft on the whole house...sounds like you beat yourself up.

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Ccarpenter

Is new construction slowing down in other states as it is in Georgia

mmike032

I work in albany GA and yes work has come to a stand still here .The price seems a little low to me but here we charge by the sq ft to do doors and base everthing else is extra.I to just started out and did great for the first 3 months now I am having to do repair work to get a check.I hope something picks up quick because other trim crews aren't even hiring now due to lack of work.

JLTrim

Here in SW Florida it is very slow. A little over a year ago I had 8 guys working for me and we were still slammed, and that was just for 3 or 4 builders. Now I'm down to myself and one helper, we are definitely not busy but I'd call it steady. It is very hard finding new jobs. A lot of builders went bankrupt and a lot of subs got screwed. If it gets any worse I'm leaving the state. I'd much rather tough it out and wait for the rebound though.

PressurePros

Cause and effect. Low work volume is exactly the reason you need to charge more. There will always be someone out there a little more hungry.. a little more desperate. You compete with them on price and you're done.

I love these slow ups in the trades. They filter to my business as well. The hacks that enjoyed high volume low margin work then fall off the face of the earth leaving me with no competition when things pick back up. It always the same book.. already read it, know how it ends.

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Ken Fenner
Pressure Washing PA
Roof Cleaning Services PA