Is My Quote Reasonable?

AlohaCustom

I just got denied today by a general contractor who I think is very unrealistic and doesn't know his a$$ from his elbow. Now I do high quality work in Florida ( a rarity) because most builders hire day drunks or anyone with a tool belt. I never have had any complaints on my prices or work from my clients. The only ones who try to lowball me are GC's who haven't swung a hammer in years. My bid was for installation of six prehung interior doors, three pocket doors (framed), 473 lf of base, 243 lf or paint grade crown (single tier), 429 lf casing of windows and doors, 184 ft window jamb (with stools), install all door hardware, and the icing on the cake: repair/replace t&g ceiling at about two days labor for myself and my helper. I figured 10 days total labor and a job price of $6500.00 labor only. He supplies materials and we don't fill/caulk. He balked and wanted this in three days and says he know two guys that could do it in that time for half of my quote, I said good luck and when you need to have all your doors reset or your crown is wavy, call me. This is a remodel and the clients expect top notch work, this GC wants to send in the clowns I guess.
If I'm way off base please tell me. Again, I do high quality work and I run a tight ship on my jobsites. Thanks fellas.

firemike

I think it sounds very reasonable for the work involved, and $650 a day for you and a helper doesn't sound expensive to me either, especially for quality work.

I agree, let the GC have his two guys hack it up, then pay you to fix it.

Move on to more realistic/experianced generals.

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-Mike-

mastertrimmer

Doesn't sound like a whole lot of trim to require ten working days to install, I could see maybe two days like you said on the T&G ceiling, maybe three for the rest of the installation.

Cole

I was just about to post this question.

I was thinking 5-6 days max!

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AlohaCustom

Also I would like to add that I am licensed and insured and have a great reputation. Granted I know GC's are looking to beat down my price but I could respect that at least if the builder could actually do good work himself. If he thinks that that job will go three days for $3000 he must be gonzo. He asked me to add on some money to repair the exterior doors hang jobs from some first timers and I said no, oh well, with a new baby I of course wanted the job but I get so frustrated with people that try to cut corners on the cheap. My 10 day estimate is liberal, no matter what I'd still want $6500. 90% of my work is remodeling and once in a while catch some new construction. Thanks.

AlohaCustom

30 corners on the crown and rounded cornerbead throughout.

RizzoMaryland

I would say 4-5 days including the 2 estimated for the t&g ceiling. Thats $162.50/hr for you and your helper. Thats a pretty good rate. I would allow a little flexibility in price if you think you can work with the GC otherwise.

AlohaCustom

thank you for the advice gentlemen...I don't rush my work and I would fully expect to stay two mon-fri weeks every time I've backed out of some sketchy GC's messy job I've come out on top, I've seen all the ones I've passed on and they ended up hacked or in litigation. I guess I'm just a perfectionist but quality work (and workers) are hard to find here in FL. Ya ever just see a messy job and bid high for the pain in the ass factor?

JLTrim

That price sounds a little high to me, but not unreasonable if they want quality work. In my area it's been pretty slow, so I would've probably gone lower than that. And 10 days does sound like an awfully long time for that job, IMHO.

Mike Finley

It sounds a bit high to me especially if you are going to take that long to do it, but that's just me. Don't blame the GC, blame the other guys who have either figured out how to do the work faster with the same quality so they can do it cheaper and still make the same profit as you, or blame the idiots who don't know their true costs and are just buying jobs. How is it the GCs fault if there are people willing to do exactly what you will do cheaper and faster?

Doug M

Your price is a little high but not too much.Just remember that what you make as a sub is going to be less then if you sold the job yourself.On Long Island I would charge around $5000(my own Job) and It would take me alone around 8 working days.Thats based on per door and linear foot costs.I am now a one man show with an occasional helper but I did have 5 crews going at one time for 6 years before that got old.Always had to explain to new subs that they can't get the same amount as if they sold the job themselves.
Doug M

troubleseeker

If that is what you believe the job is worth to you..then it is a realistic price, doesn't matter to me what the GC wants to pay.
My theory is that you can always beat any price, no matter how ridiculously low it may be; there is always someone who will do a job for less. Stick to your numbers, and let the guy hang himself if he wants to.

AlohaCustom

If you all had seen this place believe me it could have been higher. I always underpromise and overdeliver. my completion dates are 90% on time, maybe an extra day here and there. I will stick to my numbers because I know the quality of my work and there is no way two guys could do this place in three days. It is not an option, he wanted it done in three days regardless. I told him he was unrealistic and thanks for the chance to bid and when he needed high end work done, to call me. I always try to remain professional at least but I did score a big floor job anyways. Thanks for all your advice guys I appreciate it.